Back to School Allowance
2011
Below is some advice on claiming the back to school allowance which can help towards school costs for next year.
Question
I got the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance last year and am
wondering how to apply again this year for the payment?
Answer
This year, the majority of Back to School Clothing and Footwear
Allowance (BTSCFA) payments will be fully automated – you do not
need to apply. The Department of Social Protection has sent out letters from
mid-June onwards telling people when and how their payments will be made.
If you did not receive an automated payment, you should complete an
application form. You can download the form from 30 June onwards from
either www.welfare.ie or http://communitywelfareservice.ie. You can also get
the form from your Social Welfare Local Office, from your local health centre
or by texting ‘form BTSCFA’ followed by your name and address to 51909.
You send the completed application form to the address below.
You may qualify for the BTSCFA if you are:
• Getting a social welfare payment (including Family Income
Supplement), or
• Taking part in an approved employment scheme, or
• Taking part in a recognised education or training course
and
• Getting a qualified child increase with your payment.
Your total household income must be below a certain amount. Your total
income is defined as your main qualifying payment, income of any dependent
children on the Youthreach programme and any other income you may
have including wages (before tax, but excluding PRSI and a standard travel
allowance of up to €20 per week), maintenance, savings and investments.
The child must be between 2 and 22 years before 1 October 2011 and must
be in full-time education at a recognised school or college. The rate of the
allowance paid for each eligible child aged 2 to 11 is €200 and €305 if aged
12 to 22.
The scheme is open from 1 June to 30 September 2011 and the payments
will start to issue from the end of June.
Where to send completed application forms
Completed application forms together with supporting documentation should
be returned to:
Department of Social Protection
PO Box 131
Letterkenny
Co. Donegal
Lo-call:
1890 66 22 44
It may take a number of weeks to process your application.
If you are unhappy with the decision on your application, you should send a
letter to the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance Review Section
at the address above setting out why you are not happy with the decision and
asking that the claim be reviewed