Kieran O'Donnell
Question:186. Deputy Kieran O'Donnell asked the Minister for Social Protection her views in relation to the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22707/20]
View answerWednesday, 9 September 2020
Questions (186)
Written answers
The back to school clothing and footwear allowance (BSCFA) scheme provides a once-off payment to eligible families to assist with the costs of clothing and footwear when children start or return to school each autumn. The scheme operates from June to September each year.
The allowance is payable in respect of eligible children between the ages of 4 and 17 in respect of whom a qualified child allowance is being paid and eligible children between the ages of 18 and 22 who are in full-time second level education and in respect of whom a qualified child allowance is being paid.
To qualify for BSCFA a person must meet a number of conditions namely:
- The child must meet the age criteria.
- The applicant must be in receipt of a qualifying payment and getting an increase in that payment for the qualified child (except in certain circumstances) in the period 1 June to 30 September.
- The assessable income for the household must be within prescribed limits.
- The applicant and the child (or children) in respect of whom the allowance is claimed must be resident in the State.
This year, the eligibility criteria for the BSCFA scheme has been extended to include the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment as a qualifying payment for the allowance.
The back to school clothing and footwear allowance for the person in question was disallowed in August 2020 as the household income exceeded the prescribed income limit. The person's entitlement to back to school clothing and footwear allowance will be reviewed by a deciding officer as requested.
I trust this clarifies the matter.