John Curran T.D. is urging families in Dublin to check if they are eligible for the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance for 2019, which is open for new applications as of June 24th and to apply at www.mywelfare.ie. Deputy Curran says the payment is a vital support to families who are seriously struggling with extra costs at this time of the year. Early application will allow families to plan and budget for these extra costs come August/September. “Back to School is an extremely expensive time of year, especially for young working families. The Back to School allowance has always been a life-line for struggling families in Dublin, as they grapple with big bills for uniforms, sports gear, school books, stationery and other essential school equipment,” said Deputy Curran. “I welcome the government’s increased payment this coming school year 2019 / 2020 of €25 per child, which is a welcome increase after the previous Fine Gael/Labour Government introduced sneaky cuts to the Back to School Allowance in 2013, which had a very negative effect on young families across Dublin. It means the payment for children aged 12 – 22 is now €275, while the payment for children between the ages of 4 and 11 has gone up to €150.
“Every little bit of support helps at what is an extremely difficult time financially for parents. Those families who will receive the payment automatically should receive their letters of notification by the end of June. Families who do not receive notification from the Department of an automated payment by the end of June will need to make an application even if they received a payment last year – the application form will be available from 24 June in all Intreo Centres, via SMS (text Form BTSCFA followed by your name and address to 51909) or by sending an email to BSCFA@welfare.ie and on the Department’s website www.welfare.ie.
Anyone else who is applying for the first time or for an additional child can apply online at www.welfare.ie, Lo Call 1890 66 22 44 or through the local Intreo Centre, up until 30th September 2019. Payment of the allowance will be made during the week ending 8th July 2019,”concluded Deputy Curran.
