As the month of September approaches, Cllr Andrew McGuinness is reminding families who may be eligible for the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance that they still have time to apply for the scheme.
The closing date for completed applications is Thursday September 30, 2010. This year some €82 million is available to support parents with the costs of school clothing and footwear for their children.
Parents/guardians receive €200 for each eligible child aged between two and 11 years and €305 for each eligible child aged between 12 and 22 years.
Encouraging families to apply for the support available, Cllr McGuinness said, “the start of a school term is always a busy time in many households and it is important that families who are eligible for this scheme, avail of it. It is now easier than ever to apply for an application. A mobile text service can be used to obtain an application form for the allowance.”
For an application form text - FORM BTSCFA - to 51909 followed by your name and address. Parents are also welcome to apply to their local HSE office for funding under the scheme.
A person may qualify for payment of the allowance if they are in receipt of a Social Welfare payment (including Family Income Supplement ), or a Health Service Executive payment, are participating in an approved employment scheme or attending a recognised education and training course and have household income at or below certain set levels. The weekly income limit for the allowance for parents with one child is now €563.60 for couples, and €410.10 for those parenting alone.
