Around 2,300 foster children expected to benefit from Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance
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.
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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.
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