Thousands of Irish families to receive €285 cash boost in weeks
Although school is out (or almost out) for the summer, parents across the country will already be planning for their little ones to go back in September.
With the ever-worsening cost-of-living crisis looming, Irish families will be put at ease as applications have opened for a major social welfare payment.
Social Protection Minister Dara Calleary, on Wednesday, announced the opening of applications for the 2025 Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance. Pic: Shutterstock
The Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance is a once-off payment that provides relief to eligible families towards the cost of school clothing and footwear.
The rate of payment is €160 for children between the ages of four and 11, and €285 for children over the age of 12 in secondary level education for 2025.
Commenting on the scheme, Minister Calleary said: 'I am delighted to announce that the Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance for 2025 opens for applications today. Social Protection Minister, Dara Calleary, on Wednesday, announced the opening of applications for the 2025 Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance. Pic: Shutterstock
'I recognise the pressure that families are under in relation to back-to-school costs and have secured €54.4 million for the scheme this year.'
Most of the payments will be sent into bank accounts automatically with no application required.
The Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance will be paid automatically to more than 114,000 families in respect of approximately 197,000 children during the week beginning July 14.
The Department of Social Protection is currently processing these payments, and families will receive confirmation informing them of their automatic entitlement on their MyWelfare account or by post.
Families who do not receive notification of an automated payment should make an application online on mywelfare.ie, even if they received a payment last year
The closing date to apply for this year's Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance is September 30.
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