Latest news with #MyWelfare
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- 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
23-06-2025
- General
- Irish Daily Mirror
Eligibility criteria for back to school scheme extended for thousands
Thousands of households will be able to receive this year's Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance after the eligibility for the scheme was extended. The one-off, means tested payment helps families with the cost of clothing and footwear for school. The rate of pay for 2025 is €160 for children aged 4 - 11 and €285 for children aged 12 years and over in second level education, Dublin Live reports. Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary has confirmed that the eligibility for the scheme is being extended to now include children for whom Foster Care Allowance is being paid, meaning an estimated 2,300 children will now qualify for the grant. Minister Calleary said: 'Foster carers play an essential role in our care system, and I am committed to supporting them. 'That's why I am really pleased to announce that children for whom Foster Care Allowance is being paid will now be eligible for the Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance. 'In the Programme for Government, we said that we would examine the Back-to-School eligibility criteria to allow flexibility for foster carers and I am pleased to fulfil this commitment. "We expect some 2,300 children in foster care will now be eligible for this important allowance and I encourage foster care families to apply online at MyWelfare.' How can I apply for the allowance? The allowance is handed out automatically, which means that most people who are eligible for the necessary payment will receive it directly. However, sometimes this might not be the case and you may need to apply for it. Find out more about how to apply here.
Dublin Live
23-06-2025
- General
- Dublin Live
Social welfare Ireland: Eligibility for lump sum payment extended to thousands of households
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Eligibility for the Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance has been extended for thousands of households. The scheme provides a once-off, means tested payment to eligible families towards the cost of school clothing and footwear. 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. Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary has confirmed eligibility for the scheme is being extended to include children for whom Foster Care Allowance is being paid. It is estimated that up to 2,300 children, for whom Foster Care Allowance is being paid, will now qualify for the Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance. Minister Calleary said: 'Foster carers play an essential role in our care system, and I am committed to supporting them. That's why I am really pleased to announce that children for whom Foster Care Allowance is being paid will now be eligible for the Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance. 'In the Programme for Government, we said that we would examine the Back-to-School eligibility criteria to allow flexibility for foster carers and I am pleased to fulfil this commitment. "We expect some 2,300 children in foster care will now be eligible for this important allowance and I encourage foster care families to apply online at MyWelfare.' Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
The Irish Sun
18-06-2025
- General
- The Irish Sun
Thousands more Irish qualify for €160 or €285 once-off payment open NOW under ‘flexible' new criteria rules after years
AN estimated 2,300 children across Ireland are now expected to qualify for a once-off payment worth either €160 or €285. The cash boost, expected to 2 Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary confirmed thousands more are now eligible for the payment Credit:2 The BSCFA is paid out at two different rates Credit: Getty Images - Getty The Many families and don't need to apply. However, those who haven't been notified of the payment on their MyWelfare account or through post could miss out on the lump sum. And foster carers, who are the READ MORE IN MONEY The once-off, means tested payment aims to assist eligible families with the cost of school clothing and footwear. And commenting on the latest extension of the payment, Minister for Social Protection He said: "Foster carers play an essential role in our care system, and I am committed to supporting them. "That's why I am really pleased to announce that children for whom Foster Care Allowance is being paid will now be eligible for the Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance. MOST READ ON THE IRISH SUN "In the Programme for Government, we said that we would examine the Back-to-School eligibility criteria to allow flexibility for foster carers and I am pleased to fulfil this commitment. I'm a mum-of-2 but will never fork out for naff school photos - they're tacky, a rip off and any parent who buys them is either rich or just stupid "We expect some 2,300 children in foster care will now be eligible for this important allowance and I encourage foster care families to apply online at MyWelfare." Minister for Children, Disability and Equality Norma Foley TD vowed to work alongside Calleary to continue providing further supports for foster carers. She said: "Foster carers look after around 87 per cent of children in State care and they do so much great work every day. "They have campaigned for years for the right to get the Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance for the children they care for, and it is fantastic that this now has become a reality." The rates of payment for the 2025 Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance scheme are €160 for children aged 4-11 years and €285 for children aged 12-22 years on or before 30th September 2025. The children must be of age on or before September 30. NO COVER OF EXTRA COSTS MINISTER for Social Protection Dara Calleary last year confirmed that the BSCFA will not cover extra costs parents face ahead of the school year. When asked by But the Calleary said: "Applications for financial support which fall outside the rules and timeframe of the scheme may be considered for an Additional Needs Payment under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme. Any person who considers they may have an entitlement to an Additional Needs Payment is encouraged to contact their local Community Welfare Service." And students aged between 18-22 years must be returning to full-time second-level education in a recognised school or college in the autumn of 2025 to retain an entitlement to the payment. Deputy Emer Currie, Fine Gael's spokesperson on childcare, said the new criteria is "an extremely welcome move" and urged all those eligible to apply for the cash. She said: "Fine Gael is committed to reducing the cost of education and ensuring that all children reach their full potential at all stages of life. BUDGET MEASURES "Further investment in childcare and education in last year's Budget was further proof of this commitment. "My party in Government has worked hard to ensure every child in both primary and special schools can avail of a hot lunch through the Hot School Meals programme. "Other measures include the Free Schoolbooks Scheme, which covers all students from primary school right through to the Leaving Certificate in the provision of schoolbooks and core classroom resources. "Foster carers currently look after around 87 per cent of children in State care and I know they have campaigned to be included in this scheme." She added: "I will continue to work with my Government colleagues on their behalf to ensure they have the supports they need for the children in their care."
Irish Independent
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Around 2,300 foster children expected to benefit from Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance
Social Protection Minister Dara Calleary is expected to bring a memo to the Government tomorrow to extend the initiative to include foster families. It is estimated around 2,300 children in foster care will now qualify for the BSCFA. The once-off payment offers help to families towards the cost of school clothing and footwear. It is deemed particularly vital during a time of inflation. The payment for 2025 is €160 for a child who is aged from four to 11, and €285 for those aged from 12 to 22. To qualify children and young adults must be between these ages on or before September 30, 2025. Students aged between 18 and 22 must be returning to full-time second-level education in a recognised school or college in autumn 2025. Last September, the issue was raised by Independent TD Michael Lowry, who asked the then children's minister Roderic O'Gorman if he would ensure foster families were paid the benefit. Mr O'Gorman said at that time Heather Humphreys, whose brief was social protection, had 'informed' him that: 'The BSCFA is not payable in respect of foster children, as the financial support provided to foster parents by Tusla, the Foster Care Allowance, includes provision for the cost of clothing and footwear for the foster child.' Mr O'Gorman had at that point said that the rates for the Foster Care Allowance were to rise to €400 a week for a child under 12 and to €425 for those over 12. Families are being reminded the application window to apply for the benefit is now open until September 30. The social welfare payment is a once-off annual means-tested payment. ADVERTISEMENT Applications can be filled out online at My Welfare or families can request a form is sent to them in the post. Those who qualify for the scheme must be receiving a social welfare payment from the Department of Social Protection already, such as carer's allowance or benefit; Supplementary Welfare Allowance, disability allowance; One Parent Family Allowance; Working Family Payment; or jobseeker's allowance or benefit. Others can also qualify, if their household is within the BSCFA income limits, or if they are in an approved employment, education or training support scheme. The weekly income limits to qualify for the scheme for one child are €694. For two children, the income limit is €756. The limit is €818 for three children and €880 for four children.
