The Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance helps thousands of families

Parents and guardians have been told that applications for the social welfare payment will open on June 1st, 2025.

You can apply for the scheme up until September 30th, 2025.

The scheme helps parents and guardians cope with the increasing cost of sending children to school in Ireland.

The price of uniforms, new shoes, stationery, school bags, and everything else can add up, so having a scheme like this helps ease some of the financial pressure on families.

Who gets the Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance?

Parents on a qualifying social welfare payment or participating in an approved employment, education, or training support scheme are eligible.

However, you must check the full list of qualifying payments and schemes.

You may also receive the payment if your household is within the BSCFA income limit. The parent and child should also be a residents of Ireland if they’re applying.

Parents cannot apply for the payment if their child is living outside of Ireland.

How much will eligible families receive?

Those with a child aged between four and 11 will be given €160 per child.

Parents with children aged between 12 and 22 will receive €285.

Applications will be approved or declined but some applications will be reviewed if the family sends a letter to the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance Review Section.

However, they will also need to disclose why you think the decision was incorrect when reviewing your application.

You can learn more here.

Some parents will be given the payment automatically, but you can sign up for the scheme.

To sign up, parents must visit MyWelfare.ie.