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The Irish Sun
a day ago
- General
- The Irish Sun
Cash boost as €160 or €285 social welfare payment hit accounts of 126,000 TODAY as ‘check eligibility' alert issued
THOUSANDS of families are set for a major boost as a huge social welfare payment is set to land in their accounts within hours. Minister for Social Protection, Dara Calleary, has announced that over 126,000 families will receive the 2 Dara Calleary announced the boost can still be bagged up until September 30 Credit: PA 2 Thousands of families will see €160 or €285 cash sent to their bank accounts Credit: Getty Images - Getty The payment is designed to support eligible families with the There are two rates of payment for the scheme, which are €160 for children aged 4 to 11 and €285 for children aged 12 years and over in The payments totalling more than a whopping €47,500,000 will be made this week to over 126,000 families with over 221,000 They will be notified if an automated payment is sent to families by post or through their MyWelfare account on their official website. READ MORE ON CASH BOOSTS Commenting on the boost for families, Calleary said: "I am delighted to announce that the Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance payments for 2025 commence from today. "This scheme is so important in terms of supporting "This week, my Department will issue automatic payments to over 126,000 families in respect of over 221,000 children." For those who haven't been notified or applied for the major boost, the scheme is also open for applications until September 30 for eligible families. Most read in Money The payment will be issued once the application is processed and if eligible for it. He added: "The costs associated with children both starting and returning to school can put a lot of financial pressure on families throughout the country. Jack Chambers discusses his family budget & criticism not enough done for kids on surgery wait lists "The Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance provides valuable support to families to assist with these costs and I would urge anybody who has not yet applied to check their eligibility for the scheme." REQUIREMENTS FOR THE ALLOWANCE You can get the payment if you have a child that qualifies, and: You are getting a qualifying social welfare payment, or are participating in an approved employment, education or training support scheme. See Your household is within the BSCFA income limits (see 'Income limits' below) You and each child you claim the BSCFA for are residents in Ireland. If you are getting a social welfare payment, you must be getting a Child Support Payment (previously called an Increase for a Qualified Child or IQC) with it, but there are some exceptions to this. If you get a qualifying social welfare payment but don't get a Child Support Payment, you can claim the payment if: The rules of your payment do not provide for a child payment (for example, Maternity Benefit and Adoptive Benefit), or Your spouse or partner's income is over the specified limit for your payment, but your overall household income is within the BSCFA income limits. However, you must meet the other rules to get a BSCFA. Your child must be aged between 4-17 on 30 September in the year you apply, or aged between 18-22 and returning to full-time second-level education in a recognised school or college in the autumn of the year you apply. And your HOUSEHOLD INCOME Your total household income must be less than the amounts set out in the table below. The total household income includes: Your weekly social welfare or Health Service Executive payments, and Any other income you may have, including wages Capital (such as savings, investments, and any property you have excluding your own home) When your income is assessed from your wages, the department looks at your income before it's taxed, but they don't include PRSI and a standard travel allowance of up to €20 a week. However, some social welfare payments are not included in the means test. Payments not included in the means test include child benefits, rent supplements, working family payments, higher-level education grants, blind welfare allowances, and so on. All capital is assessed in the means test, including savings, investments, shares and property that's not your own home. The income limit is increased by €62 for each additional dependent child.
Irish Independent
08-07-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
When is the Back-to-School Allowance paid – and do I need to apply?
More than 114,000 families will automatically receive the allowance this month, without needing to make an application. 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? ADVERTISEMENT 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.
The Irish Sun
08-07-2025
- General
- The Irish Sun
‘Barely getting by' – €6 and €15 social welfare increase for Irish parents as report reveals cost-of-living impact
STRUGGLING parents have told how they are being forced to make sacrifices at home just to get by. The grim realities faced by some families were laid bare as charity Advertisement 2 One in five families are cutting down on heating due to financial strains Credit: Getty Images - Getty Their call for an increase to the welfare payment was made after a survey of 1,000 parents and guardians revealed shocking statistics. The stark new report, which focused on the effects of They found that one in five families had cut back on, or went without, heating/electricity, and more than two in five went without, or cut down on, basic essentials in the last six months. One parent speaking to Barnardos said: "I have turned the heating down in the house to reduce the bill, meaning the kids now sleep with extra blankets and wear jumpers or hoodies around the house. Advertisement Read more on Barnardos "I never want my children to go cold or hungry so I'll often try sleep to stay warm and keep lights off to reduce bills also." Another said: "There's not much left for any pleasures in life. It's grim and not getting any better." The survey also revealed that 19 per cent of families had to cut back on or go without food over the past six months. In particular, 40 per cent said they skipped meals or reduced portion size so their children would have enough to eat, 28 per cent felt at some point they didn't have enough food to feed their children, and 12 per cent had used a food bank. Advertisement Most read in The Irish Sun Commenting on the report, Barnardos CEO Suzanne Connolly said: "The statistics in this report show that parents and children across the country are still going without or having to cut back on basic essentials, reflecting the experience across our services. "Parents on the lowest incomes are really struggling, as well as those just outside the threshold for welfare supports. They are continuing to try everything to give their children the necessities for a decent quality childhood, but unfortunately at times failing. She added: "At an absolute minimum, every child in Ireland should live in homes with adequate heating and electricity, sufficient nutritious food and appropriate clothing, as well as the opportunity to engage in sporting and cultural activities. STRUGGLING TO SURVIVE "Parents should not be at risk of constant financial distress in order to provide their children with these essentials." Advertisement The report recommends that the Child Support Payment should be increased in line with inflation, by €6 for children under 12 and by €15 for those over 12. Other recommendations include increasing income disregard for one-parent family payments, placing vulnerable families using prepaid meters on the lowest tariffs and extending fuel allowance to families receiving the working family payment. 2 The charity is calling for the Child Support Payment to be increased in line with inflation
The Irish Sun
30-06-2025
- General
- The Irish Sun
Major alert for thousands as €160 or €285 payment to land in accounts in days – and you may not even need to apply
THOUSANDS are set for a major boost as a huge payment is set to land in accounts in just days. The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance (BSCFA) helps families with the cost of And it is only two weeks until the payment is made on the week of July 14. Many If you are set to receive it automatically, you should have been notified on your MyWelfare account or by post by 9 June 2025. If you weren't notified, you will need to apply for the READ MORE IN MONEY Applications opened on June 9, and the closing date is September 30, so despite payments starting in July you can still apply. Since June 17 this year, families who get the Foster Care Allowance can also apply for the BSCFA. You can get the payment if you have a child that qualifies, and: You are getting a qualifying social welfare payment, or are participating in an approved employment, education or training support scheme. See Your household is within the BSCFA income limits (see 'Income limits' below) You and each child you claim the BSCFA for are resident in Ireland. Most read in Money If you are getting a social welfare payment, you must be getting a Child Support Payment (previously called an Increase for a Qualified Child or IQC) with it, but there are some exceptions to it. New online application system opens for €360 or €180 Domiciliary Care Allowance applications If you get a qualifying social welfare payment but don't get a Child Support Payment, you can claim the payment if: The rules of your payment do not provide for a child payment (for example, Your spouse or partner's income is over the specified limit for your payment, but your overall household income is within the BSCFA income limits (see 'Income limits' below). But you must meet the other rules for getting BSCFA. You child must be aged between 4-17 on 30 September in the year you apply, or aged between 18-22 and returning to full-time second-level education in a recognised school or college in the autumn of the year you apply And your Your total household income must be less than the amounts set out in the table below. The total household income includes: Your weekly social welfare or Health Service Executive (HSE) payments, and Any other income you may have, including wages Capital (such as savings, investments, and any property you have excluding your own home) When your income is assessed from your wages, the DSP looks at your income before it's taxed, but they don't include PRSI and a standard travel allowance of up to €20 a week. However, some social welfare payments are not included in the means test. Payments not included in the means test include: WEEKLY INCOME LIMITS The Department of Social Protection (DSP) counts all dependent children when applying the income limit. This includes: Your children who are aged under 4 Your children aged 18 to 22 who are in third level education. All capital is assessed in the means test, including savings, investments, shares and property that's not your own home. The income limit is increased by €62 for each additional dependent child. If your child is aged between 4 and 11, the rate of payment is €160. If they are between 12 and 22, the payment is €285. 1 The payment is set to land in accounts in days Credit: Getty Images - Getty
Irish Daily Mirror
27-05-2025
- General
- Irish Daily Mirror
Social welfare group can claim summer lump sum worth at least €160
Thousands of social welfare recipients may be in line for a welcome financial boost this summer, with a Government payout worth at least €160 available. The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance (BSCFA) is returning again this year to help cover the growing cost of uniforms and shoes ahead of the new school term. This once-yearly lump sum is designed to ease the burden on parents and guardians as they prepare their children for the classroom - but changes to how it's usually issued mean some people who previously qualified automatically may now need to apply manually. The allowance ranges from €160 to €285 per child, depending on their age, and is available to eligible families receiving social welfare payments or participating in approved employment or education schemes. With applications opening in June, it's important for parents and guardians to check their eligibility now to avoid missing out. There are two aged-based payment levels for children under the BSCFA lump sum scheme. Parents or guardians of children aged between four and 11 (as of September 30,2025) may be entitled to €160 per child. Parents or guardians of children aged between 12 and 22 (as of September 30, 2025) may receive a higher payment of €285 per child, as long as the child is returning to full-time, second-level education in the autumn. Children must be resident in Ireland, and you must also be living in the State and receiving a qualifying social welfare payment or participating in an approved training or employment scheme. Your household income must also fall within specific limits, and in most cases, you must be receiving a Child Support Payment (formerly called Increase for a Qualified Child or IQC) with your primary welfare payment. In some cases, you'll be paid automatically. If the Department of Social Protection (DSP) determines you qualify based on your current circumstances, you'll receive a notification via your MyWelfare account or by post. However, not everyone will be included automatically this year, particularly parents of older children aged 18 to 22. If your child is in this age group, you may be required to provide evidence that they are returning to full-time, second-level education in a recognised school or college. If you haven't received a letter or message from the DSP by the end of June, you must apply online via MyWelfare, even if you received the payment last year. If you receive a qualifying social welfare payment but don't receive a child support payment, you may still be eligible for BSCFA if the rules of your primary payment do not include child support (eg maternity benefit or adoptive benefit), or if you're partner's income exceeds the threshold for your main payment, but your total household income is still within the BSCFA limits. Foster children do not qualify for the BSCFA. That's because foster carers receive a separate Foster Care Allowance, which already includes support for clothing and footwear expenses. Applications for the 2025 BSCFA season are expected to open in June. If you're not automatically contacted by the DSP, it's your responsibility to submit an application online. For more information and to check detailed eligibility rules, see the Citizen's Information page here or log in to your MyWelfare account.
