Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance in Ireland (2025)

The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance (BSCFA) is a once-off payment from the Department of Social Protection to help eligible families cover the cost of uniforms, shoes and school gear each year. Here's what it's worth in 2024/2025 and how to apply.

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

For 2025, the payment rates are €160 for each eligible child aged 4-11 (on or before 30 September) and €285 for each eligible child aged 12-22 (on or before 30 September, provided older children are returning to full-time second-level education). The allowance was extended in recent years to also include children aged 2 and 3 in certain circumstances, so check the current gov.ie announcement for your child's exact age band and rate, as figures are reviewed annually. The payment is made once per school year, per qualifying child, directly to your bank account.

Who is eligible for the allowance?

To qualify, you generally need to be getting a qualifying social welfare payment or a Working Family Payment, and your household income must be under a specific threshold that varies by family size. Common qualifying payments include Jobseeker's Allowance or Benefit, One-Parent Family Payment, Disability Allowance, Carer's Allowance, and various other social welfare payments. If you're working but on a low income, you may still qualify through the household means test even without being on a primary welfare payment, so it's worth checking even if you're employed. Newcomers must also satisfy the Habitual Residence Condition, similar to other social welfare payments.

How and when do you apply?

Applications typically open in June or July each year and close around the end of September (30 September 2025 was the closing date for that year's scheme). Most people are assessed automatically if the Department already has your household and income details from an existing welfare payment, and the allowance is paid automatically without a separate application in many cases. If you're not automatically assessed, you can apply online through MyWelfare.ie (you'll need a verified MyGovID account) or by contacting your local Intreo Centre or Community Welfare Service for a paper application form. Have ready:

• Your PPS number and your children's PPS numbers
• Evidence of your household income (payslips, welfare payment details)
• Bank account details
• Proof of your child's school enrolment, if requested (particularly for the higher 12-22 age rate)

What if you're not on a qualifying payment but still struggling?

If you don't qualify for the standard BSCFA because you're not on a listed payment or your income is slightly over the threshold, you can still apply for help through the Additional Needs Payment (formerly Exceptional Needs Payment) via your local Community Welfare Officer. This is a discretionary payment assessed case by case based on your actual circumstances and can cover school costs even outside the standard BSCFA rules. Contact the National Community Welfare phone line (0818 60 70 80) to discuss your situation.

Does the payment cover the full cost of school supplies?

Realistically, €160-€285 rarely covers the full cost of a full uniform, shoes, coat and school bag, especially for secondary school where uniforms, tracksuits and specific-brand items can run into hundreds of euro at Dublin, Cork or Galway retailers. Many parents supplement the allowance with charity uniform banks, school "pre-loved uniform" schemes, or by spreading purchases across supermarkets and discount retailers like Dunnes, Penneys and Lidl, which often run dedicated back-to-school ranges from July.

Frequently Asked Questions