Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 June 2021
370. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will make the back to school clothing and footwear allowance form available online for download; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34902/21]
View answerThe 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.
Similar to previous years, the majority of payments under the BSCFA scheme will be paid with no application form required. These customers have been notified in writing of their entitlement.
Customers who have not received notification of an automated payment will need to apply for BSCFA online on www.mywelfare.ie. Customers who are experiencing issues applying online for the BSCFA should phone the BSCFA contact centre on 071 9193318 or 0818 11 11 13 or email bscfa@welfare.ie and an officer will help the customer apply online or, if necessary, will issue an application form directly to the customer.
There are no plans to make the BSCFA application form available online for download. We are encouraging customers to apply for the BSCFA online on www.mywelfare.ie. Last year, 85% of BSCFA applications received were from customers who applied for their BSCFA online.
The closing date to apply for this year’s BSCFA is 30 September 2021.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
