Thousands of families across Ireland can now apply for payment of up to €285

Applications are now open and won’t close until September 30, 2026.

READ NEXT: ALERT: People across Ireland told to 'destroy' product as major recall underway

How to qualify?

You can get the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance (BSCFA) 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 a list of qualifying payments and schemes on Gov.ie)

- 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.

Does my child qualify?

To get the BSCFA, your child must be:

- Aged between 2-17 on 30 September in the year you apply

- Aged between 18-22 and returning to full-time second-level education in a recognised school in the autumn of the year you apply

- Your child must be resident in Ireland.

Foster children

If you are getting the Foster Care Allowance, you can apply for the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance for each foster child. To qualify for the payment, you must satisfy the conditions of the scheme.

How much is the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance?

Children aged between 18-22 must be returning to full-time second-level education in a recognised school in the autumn of 2026.

You don't need to apply for the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance (BSCFA) if you get the payment automatically.

If you don’t get the payment automatically, you can apply for the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance online at MyWelfare.ie.

For more information visit Citizens Information.