How to get €285 social welfare payment even if you have a full time job
The cost of living crisis continues to affect many households across Ireland. With prices soaring on everything from groceries to electricity, a lot of people will be seeking supports to help ease the financial pressure.
One common misconception about social welfare is that if you're working, you can't claim any payments. But that's not true. In fact, there are several supports available, even if you have a full time job.
One of the key schemes, which has now opened for applications, is the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance, which could see eligible people receive a once-off payment worth hundreds of euros to help cover the cost of school essentials this year.
Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary announced today that over €54 million has been allocated for this year's scheme, which will benefit more than 114,000 families across Ireland.
The payment rates for 2025 are €160 for children aged four to 11 (on or before September 30), and €285 for children aged 12 (on or before September 30) and over who are in second-level education. Students aged between 18 and 22 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.
Minister Calleary said: "I am delighted to announce that the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance for 2025 opens for applications today. 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."
Even if you work full-time, you could still be eligible for the scheme. To qualify, your household income must fall within certain limits, and you must be receiving a qualifying social welfare payment or taking part in an approved employment, training or education scheme.
Having a job doesn't automatically exclude you. Some payments like Working Family Payment and the Back to Work Family Dividend are not counted in the means test.
Most payments will be made automatically, with no need to apply, and they will be issued during the week starting Monday, July 14.
Confirmation of automatic payments will be sent via MyWelfare accounts or by post, but if you don't receive notification of an automatic payment, apply online at www.MyWelfare.ie, even if you received a payment last year.
Applications opened on June 9 and the deadline to apply is September 30.
Minister Calleary urged everyone to check their eligibility and encouraged families to act if they think they qualify. He said: "More than 75% of payments under this scheme will be paid without the need to make an application. My Department will issue automatic payments to more than 114,000 families in July and I would urge all families to check their eligibility for this important scheme."
For questions or support, dedicated phone lines (071-9193318 and 0818-11-11-13) are available during regular business hours, or email bscfa@welfare.ie. More information about the scheme and eligibility criteria can be found at www.gov.ie/bscfa or on Citizen's Information.
A county-by-county breakdown shows Dublin leads with over 30,000 families receiving automatic payments, followed by Cork and Galway.
Dublin: 30,454
Cork: 10,733
Galway: 5,068
Donegal: 5,064
Limerick: 5,067
Louth: 4,695
Kildare: 4,676
Wexford: 4,628
Tipperary: 4,192
Meath: 4,020
Kerry: 3,688
Waterford: 3,601
Wicklow: 3,248
Mayo: 3,262
Clare: 2,572
Westmeath: 2,446
Laois: 2,131
Offaly: 2,130
Carlow: 1,906
Cavan: 1,906
Kilkenny: 1,720
Sligo: 1,634
Roscommon: 1,504
Monaghan: 1,551
Longford: 1,545
Leitrim: 970
Total automatic payments nationwide: 114,411 families.
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