The ‘Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance’ (BSCFA), has been increased. This allowance is designed to help parents/guardians to meet the cost of uniforms and footwear for primary and secondary school children, returning to school during the coming year, 2017/18.
The allowance has seen a rise from €100 to €125 for children aged 4-11 years, and up by €50 to €250 for children over 12 years. Nationally some 108,000 Irish families look set to benefit from this small increase.
Those who frequent supermarket chains like Dunnes, Marks and Spencers etc; will all be aware that back to school clothing is already on display in anticipation of the coming school year.
To avail, of the BSCFA, parents or guardians must be getting certain social welfare payments or taking part in training, employment or adult education schemes. Their siblings must be aged between 4 and 17 years of age, on or before September 30th, of the year for which you apply. If still in second-level education, siblings must be aged between 18 and 22 years of age on or before the same date.
The BSCFA scheme for 2017 opening date was on June 1st last 2017, and the closing date for such applications remains strictly September 30th 2017.
As is usual, the Dept. of Social Protection pay BSCFA automatically to many parents / guardians, meaning simply that same do not have to apply for this payment. Should you qualify automatically, you should be notified of your entitlements on or before June 23rd 2017 and receive correspondence stating when and how the allowance will be delivered. Payments are expected to be made available during this month, ending July 14th 2017.
Note: Parents / Guardians not automatically notified, may still be eligible for such allowances, subject to completing a means assessment, and you can find out more information on the rules and income limits affecting BSCFA by simply clicking HERE.
Leave a Reply