
It’s that time of year again, the kids are on school holidays and parents are thinking, what do i need to get them for September! For many parents this is another stress that is hard to manage. There is help available to some families, in the form of the back to school clothing and footwear allowance (BSCFA). This is a once a year payment paid to families who are receiving certain social welfare payments or taking part in training, employment or adult education schemes and have a child or children aged between 4 and 17 on or before 30 September of the year you apply or aged between 18 and 22 on or before 30 September if still in second-level education. This payment is to offset the cost of school uniforms and footwear and is set at €125 per child aged between 4 and 11 years and €250 for children aged 12 to 22. This allowance may automatically be paid to some in the week ending 13 July 2018 but if you do not automatically receive payment, applications can be made from the 22 of June 2018, closing date for applications is 30 September 2018, application forms are available from your Intreo Centre, local Social Welfare Branch Office, Citizens Information Centre and online at welfare.ie or application form can also be requested by SMS (text message) by texting Form BTSCFA followed by your name and address to 51909 or by emailing the Department at BSCFA@welfare.ie. for further information please check the link HERE