Many parents around the country rely on the Back-To-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance (BSCFA), so here is all you need to know.
The summer holidays will be here before we know it and it is at this time that many parents start planning for the new school year. There are a lot of costs that go along with starting a new school year and uniforms and shoes are among the biggest expenses.
Parents need to save all summer long to afford these as the costs really add up, especially if you have multiple children.
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What is the Back-To-School Clothing And Footwear Allowance?
The Back-To-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance is a social welfare payment that helps thousands of families in Ireland with back-to-school expenses.
To qualify for this payment, parents need to receive a welfare payment or be participating in an approved employment, education, or training support scheme, or their household falls within the income limits.
It provides a lump sum payment to eligible families towards the cost of school clothing and footwear for their school-age children.
New cohort of families eligible
In Budget 2026 the BSCFA opened up to children aged two and three, meaning that eligible parents of two and three-year-olds will receive a rate of €160 towards preschool clothing and footwear.
When can I apply?
The applications for this payment will open in June 2026 and will close on September 30th 2026.
If you are already in receipt of this social welfare payment, though, you do not need to reapply; you will get it automatically. The Department of Social Protection will let you know that you are due to be paid using your MyWelfare account.
If you are not made aware that you will be paid automatically, then you can apply using MyWelfare or by post.
How much will I get?
Parents of children aged between two and 11 on September 30th will receive €160 and parents of children aged between 12 and 22 will receive €285.
Children aged between 18-22 must be returning to full-time second-level education in a recognised school in the autumn of 2025.
See Citizens Information for more.
