Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 July 2022
529. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason that the automatic entitlement to a back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance payment for a person (details supplied) has ceased; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38812/22]
View answerThe Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance 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 for eligible children between the ages of 4 and 17 in respect of whom a qualified child increase is in payment. It is also payable for those between the ages of 18 and 22 who are in full-time second level education and for whom a qualified child allowance is in payment.
Each year, through a matching process, customers are identified as having an entitlement to the allowance and are awarded the allowance automatically. These customers were notified of their award by the 20 June.
Qualifying for the payment automatically one year does not guarantee a customer will qualify for the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance payment automatically the following year.
Customers who have not received notification of an automated payment will need to apply for Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance online on www.mywelfare.ie even if they received a payment automatically last year. The online application system has been open since 20 June.
Customers who are experiencing issues applying online can contact our dedicated number on 071-9193318 or 0818-11 11 13 or by email to bscfa@welfare.ie and an officer will be able to assist the customer to apply online or will issue an application form to the customer.
The closing date to apply for this year’s Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance is 30 September 2022.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
