Q.  My daughter’s uniform for her new school is very expensive. Can I get any payment to help with it?

05.07.09

The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance is available to families on certain social welfare or other State payments. You may also claim for children aged 18-22 who are in full-time education if you are on a social welfare payment that includes a Qualified Child Increase for them. The scheme runs from June to the end of September each year. If you are getting a social welfare payment, including FIS, you are eligible if your weekly income is below the following thresholds:

Couple with 1 child: €560; 2ch: €586; 3ch: €612; for each additional child: €26.
Lone Parent with 1 child: €407; 2ch: €443; for each additional child: €26.

If you are on a VTOS scheme or are getting a Back to Education Allowance, you are also eligible. It is also available to people on employment schemes such as Community Employment, Back to Work Allowance, Rural Social Scheme and Revenue Job Assist if their gross weekly household income is less than €317.43 (the threshold for keeping secondary benefits). If they do not meet this condition they can apply under the normal income limits given above.

The allowance paid is €200 for each child aged 2-11 years before 1 October 2009 and €305 for each child aged 12-22 years before 1 October 2009.
 

Citizens Information: Buncrana 074 9363496; Carndonagh 074 9373741

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