When is the Back-to-School Allowance paid – and do I need to apply?
When is the first payment?
The Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance will be paid to families from during the week beginning July 14.
How much will I receive under the scheme this year?
The rate of payment for 2025 is €160 for children aged 4-11 and €285 for children aged 12 years and over in second level education.
Students aged between 18-22 years must be returning to full-time second-level education in a recognised school or college this autumn to retain an entitlement to the payment.
How do I know if I will receive the allowance?
Many people will get the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance payment automatically, you will be informed through your MyWelfare account or by post if you will receive it.
If you have not been notified and you satisfy the qualifying conditions, you will need to make an application even if you have automatically got the payment in previous years, the Department of Social Protection advises.
Do you need to apply?
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Learn more
Social Protection Minister Dara Calleary has said 75pc of payments under the scheme 'will be paid without the need to make an application'.
More than 114,000 families will automatically receive the payment from next week.
Families will receive confirmation informing them of their automatic entitlement on their MyWelfare account or by post.
The Department of Social Protection advises those who do not receive notification from the department of an automated payment should make an application online on MyWelfare, even if they received a payment last year.
When do applications close?
The closing date to apply for this year's allowance is September 30, 2025.
Who is eligible to receive the allowance?
Each child being claimed for must be aged between 4 and 17 or aged between 18 and 22, and returning to second-level education in September.
A parent or guardian must be in receipt of a qualifying social protection payment or participating in an approved employment, education or training support scheme to be eligible.
They must also be in receipt of Child Support Payment for each child – except in certain circumstances – and the assessable income must be within a set income limit.
The person claiming the allowance and the child in respect of whom the allowance is claimed must be resident in the State.
Who do I contact with queries?
The Department of Social Protection. It is contactable by email and operates dedicated phone lines 071-9193318 and 0818-11-11-13 to answer enquiries relating to the allowance Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.
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