Local families that previously qualified for the Back to school allowance will automatically qualify again this year.
The Social protection Minister says if you are eligible there is no requirement to apply again.
Nearly 115 thousand families can expect notice from the Dept of Social Protection in the coming days that their Back to School clothing and footwear allowance will be approved automatically if they qualified previously and meet the criteria again this year.
It will come as welcome news to local families who are eligible as it means they wont have to wait until after September for the payment and risk getting themselves into debt to meet the costs of getting their children ready for the new school year.
It will be paid with their weekly social welfare payment in the week ending July 18th.
Those who don’t qualify automatically will need to complete an application form.
Forms will be available in all local social welfare offices, on the Department’s website (www.welfare.ie) or by texting ‘Form BTSCFA’ followed by their name and address to 51909. Applications can be made from Monday 16th June.
