Kitting a child out for school — uniform, shoes, coat, the lot — costs a small fortune every August. The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance (BSCFA) is a once-a-year payment to help low-income families with exactly that. The best part: for a lot of families it's paid automatically in July, so you don't even have to apply.
Quick facts
- Worth
- A set amount per child (more for older children)
- Who
- Low-income families on a qualifying payment, with school-age children
- Children
- Ages 2–17 on 30 September (and 18–22 returning to second-level)
- When
- Paid in the summer, ahead of the new school year
- Apply?
- Often paid automatically — otherwise via MyWelfare
Who qualifies for the Back to School Allowance?
You usually qualify if you are on a qualifying social welfare payment (such as Working Family Payment, One-Parent Family Payment, Jobseeker's, a disability or carer's payment), your household income is under the limit for your family size, and you have a child of qualifying age in school or full-time education.
You can usually get the allowance if:
- You're getting a qualifying social welfare payment (such as Working Family Payment, One-Parent Family Payment, Jobseeker's, a disability or carer's payment, or the State Pension where children are involved), or you're on certain training/education schemes.
- Your household income is under the limit for your family size.
- You have a child of the qualifying age in school or full-time education.
What are the income limits in 2026?
The limit goes by the number of dependent children, not by family type: €726.70 a week for 1 child, €804.70 for 2, €882.70 for 3, €960.70 for 4, plus €78 a week for each additional child. Wages are assessed before tax, but PRSI and up to €20 a week of travel are not counted, and Child Benefit, Working Family Payment, HAP and Rent Supplement are left out of the means test entirely.
The allowance is means-tested, so your total weekly household income must be below a limit that rises with each child. The 2026 limits are:
- 1 child: €726.70 a week
- 2 children: €804.70 a week
- 3 children: €882.70 a week
- 4 children: €960.70 a week, plus €78 (€84 from January 2027) for each child after that
Wages are counted before tax, but PRSI and a standard travel allowance of up to €20 a week are not counted. Several payments are left out of the means test altogether — Child Benefit, Working Family Payment, the Back to Work Family Dividend, HAP, Rent Supplement, Domiciliary Care Allowance, Foster Care Allowance and Guardian's payments — so a household that looks over the limit on paper often is not. Don't rule yourself out.
How much is the Back to School Allowance in 2026?
It is a single lump sum per qualifying child. For 2026 it is €160 for a child aged 2–11 and €285 for a child aged 12–22. The allowance was extended to 2 and 3 year olds this year — if you were told before that your toddler did not qualify, that has changed.
Children aged 18–22 must be returning to full-time second-level education in the autumn. The figures are set in each year's Budget, so confirm on gov.ie before you plan around them.
It's a single lump sum per qualifying child, with a higher rate for older children. For 2026 it is €160 per child aged 2–11 and €285 per child aged 12–22. The age is taken on 30 September. The figures are set in the Budget each year, so confirm the current amounts on gov.ie.
How do you claim the Back to School Allowance?
Many families are paid automatically in July — check your account first. If you qualify but weren't paid automatically, apply on MyWelfare.ie during the summer application window with your payment details, your children's details and proof of education for older children. Applications typically close at the end of September.
Check for an automatic payment
Many families are paid automatically in July. Watch your bank account and post around then before assuming you need to apply.
Apply if it doesn't arrive
If you think you qualify but weren't paid automatically, apply through MyWelfare.ie during the application window (usually summer).
Have your details ready
Your payment details, your children's details, and proof they're in school or full-time education (for older children).
Apply before the deadline
The closing date for the 2026 scheme is 30 September 2026. Miss it and that year's payment is gone — you cannot apply late. Most families are paid automatically in July, so if no award notice arrived, you must apply yourself, even if it came automatically in previous years.
Common questions
Do I have to apply for the Back to School Allowance?
How much is it per child?
What are the income limits for 2026?
What ages does it cover?
When's the deadline?
Check the official sources
This guide is general information, not financial advice. Rates, age limits and deadlines change each year — always confirm the current details on gov.ie before you apply.
Keep going
Raising kids in Ireland? Check what you're owed
Back to School, Working Family Payment, Child Benefit and more — see everything in 60 seconds, free.
Check What You're Owed →💶 One email a week. Money you can claim.
Join free — the top grants, credits and deadlines for Ireland, NI & England. A few emails to get you started, then one a week.
Free, and it stays free. No spam, unsubscribe any time, and we never ask for bank or PPS details.