Q. We are a low-income family and our eldest child is starting primary school this September. I have heard other parents talking about a back to school grant for uniforms, can I ask what this is and would we be eligible?
Dear Reader,
Thank you for this question. I am sure it will be of interest to lots of parents reading.
The Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear (BTSCFA) scheme, which is delivered by the Department of Social Protection (DSP), provides a once-off means tested payment to eligible families of school-going children to help with the cost of purchasing school uniforms.
You may qualify for a BSCFA payment, if you are getting a social welfare payment, or if your income is below a certain threshold for your household size and you have a child between four and 17, or a young person between 18 and 22 attending a recognised second-level school.
This year the allowance paid for each eligible child aged between four and 11 is €160, and for each eligible child aged between 12 and 22 is €285.
You can apply for a BSCFA payment between the beginning of June and September 30, either online at MyWelfare.ie or by requesting a paper application form from the DSP.
If you received the BSCFA payment in 2024 and there are no changes in your circumstances, you should receive the payment automatically. If you are going to be paid automatically, the DSP will notify you either on your MyWelfare account, or by post. If you did not receive a notification before June 4, you will need to re-apply.
