Latest news with #AdditionalNeedsPayment
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- General
- The Irish Sun
Thousands more Irish qualify for €160 or €285 once-off payment open NOW under ‘flexible' new criteria rules after years
AN estimated 2,300 children across Ireland are now expected to qualify for a once-off payment worth either €160 or €285. The cash boost, expected to 2 Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary confirmed thousands more are now eligible for the payment Credit:2 The BSCFA is paid out at two different rates Credit: Getty Images - Getty The Many families and don't need to apply. However, those who haven't been notified of the payment on their MyWelfare account or through post could miss out on the lump sum. And foster carers, who are the READ MORE IN MONEY The once-off, means tested payment aims to assist eligible families with the cost of school clothing and footwear. And commenting on the latest extension of the payment, Minister for Social Protection He said: "Foster carers play an essential role in our care system, and I am committed to supporting them. "That's why I am really pleased to announce that children for whom Foster Care Allowance is being paid will now be eligible for the Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance. MOST READ ON THE IRISH SUN "In the Programme for Government, we said that we would examine the Back-to-School eligibility criteria to allow flexibility for foster carers and I am pleased to fulfil this commitment. I'm a mum-of-2 but will never fork out for naff school photos - they're tacky, a rip off and any parent who buys them is either rich or just stupid "We expect some 2,300 children in foster care will now be eligible for this important allowance and I encourage foster care families to apply online at MyWelfare." Minister for Children, Disability and Equality Norma Foley TD vowed to work alongside Calleary to continue providing further supports for foster carers. She said: "Foster carers look after around 87 per cent of children in State care and they do so much great work every day. "They have campaigned for years for the right to get the Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance for the children they care for, and it is fantastic that this now has become a reality." The rates of payment for the 2025 Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance scheme are €160 for children aged 4-11 years and €285 for children aged 12-22 years on or before 30th September 2025. The children must be of age on or before September 30. NO COVER OF EXTRA COSTS MINISTER for Social Protection Dara Calleary last year confirmed that the BSCFA will not cover extra costs parents face ahead of the school year. When asked by But the Calleary said: "Applications for financial support which fall outside the rules and timeframe of the scheme may be considered for an Additional Needs Payment under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme. Any person who considers they may have an entitlement to an Additional Needs Payment is encouraged to contact their local Community Welfare Service." And students aged between 18-22 years must be returning to full-time second-level education in a recognised school or college in the autumn of 2025 to retain an entitlement to the payment. Deputy Emer Currie, Fine Gael's spokesperson on childcare, said the new criteria is "an extremely welcome move" and urged all those eligible to apply for the cash. She said: "Fine Gael is committed to reducing the cost of education and ensuring that all children reach their full potential at all stages of life. BUDGET MEASURES "Further investment in childcare and education in last year's Budget was further proof of this commitment. "My party in Government has worked hard to ensure every child in both primary and special schools can avail of a hot lunch through the Hot School Meals programme. "Other measures include the Free Schoolbooks Scheme, which covers all students from primary school right through to the Leaving Certificate in the provision of schoolbooks and core classroom resources. "Foster carers currently look after around 87 per cent of children in State care and I know they have campaigned to be included in this scheme." She added: "I will continue to work with my Government colleagues on their behalf to ensure they have the supports they need for the children in their care."
The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- General
- The Irish Sun
Major boost as thousands more children to qualify for €160 or €285 cash payment under new eligibility rules before Govt
THOUSANDS more children will qualify for a €160 or €285 payment under new plans set to be brought before Government tomorrow. Minister for Social Protection The payment is designed to help parents cover the cost of clothing and footwear for returning to school. Children for whom Foster Care Allowance is being paid currently do not qualify for the annual lump sum payment. The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance is worth €160 for children aged four to 11 and €285 for kids aged between 12 and 22. Children and young adults must be between these ages on or before September 30 this year in order to qualify for the set amount. READ MORE IN MONEY Those over 18 must be returning to full-time second level education in the autumn of 2025 in order to be eligible. And the 2025 Programme for Government includes the commitment to examine the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance eligibility criteria to allow flexibility for foster carers. It is estimated that up to 2,300 children for whom Foster Care Allowance is being paid will now qualify for the payment under new plans. MOST READ ON THE IRISH SUN Last September, Independent TD Michael Lowry asked if Major warning over emergency social welfare scam texts as thousands could be targeted O'Gorman said he raised the issue with He said: "I can inform the Deputy that I have raised the issue of Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance eligibility in respect of foster children with Minister Humphreys, who has informed that the BSCFA is not payable in respect of foster children as the financial support provided to foster parents by Tusla, the foster care allowance, includes provision for the cost of clothing and footwear for the foster child. "I can assure the Deputy that I will continue to work closely with my Government colleagues and with relevant stakeholders in relation to continuing to seek to improve the suite of supports for foster carers." NO COVER OF EXTRA COSTS MINISTER for Social Protection Dara Calleary last year confirmed that the BSCFA will not cover extra costs parents face ahead of the school year. When asked by But the Calleary said: "Applications for financial support which fall outside the rules and timeframe of the scheme may be considered for an Additional Needs Payment under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme. Any person who considers they may have an entitlement to an Additional Needs Payment is encouraged to contact their local Community Welfare Service." Last year, payments totalling €57.04m were made to more than 149,500 families in respect of 264,400 qualified children. Many families But those who haven't been notified of the payment on their MyWelfare account or through post could miss out on the lump sum. It is expected to be paid out in the week starting on July 7th. And applications for the payment will close until next year on September 30. Those who apply for the cash later in the summer will receive the payment later than others. 1 The BSCFA is €160 for children aged four to 11 and €285 for those between 12 and 22 Credit: Getty Images - Getty
The Irish Sun
10-06-2025
- General
- The Irish Sun
€160 or €285 payment date for 149k Irish parents in weeks confirmed as key group urged to check application NOW
THE date a €160 or €285 payment for Irish parents will land into bank accounts has been confirmed. And those eligible for the payment, which officially Advertisement The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance is designed to help parents cover the cost of returning to school. It is expected to be paid out in the week starting on July 7th. Last year, It is expected that a similar number will benefit from the scheme this year. Advertisement READ MORE IN MONEY Many families But those who haven't been notified of the payment on their MyWelfare account or through post by today could miss out on the lump sum. And applications for the payment will close until next year on September 30. Those who apply for the cash later in the summer will receive the payment later than others. Advertisement MOST READ ON THE IRISH SUN Live Blog The payment is €160 for children aged between four and 11 years old. Major warning over emergency social welfare scam texts as thousands could be targeted Parents will receive a €285 payment for children aged between 12 and 22 - but those over 18 must be returning to full-time second level education in the autumn of 2025 in order to be eligible. Minister for Social Protection When asked by Advertisement But the Calleary said: "Applications for financial support which fall outside the rules and timeframe of the scheme may be considered for an Additional Needs Payment under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme. Any person who considers they may have an entitlement to an Additional Needs Payment is encouraged to contact their local Community Welfare Service." WHO QUALIFIES? Those who are eligible for BSCFA must be getting a Advertisement Those who don't receive the Child Support Payment must still be getting a qualifying social welfare payment to claim BSCFA. You can still claim if the rules of your payment do not provide for a child payment, such as If this is not the case, you can still claim BSCFA if your spouse or partner's income is over the specified limit for your payment, but your overall household income is within the BSCFA income limits. QUALIFYING PAYMENTS THERE a number of social welfare payments that are treated as a qualifying social welfare payment for the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance. Social Insurance Payments Deserted Wife's Benefit Illness Benefit Disablement Benefit Carer's Benefit Health and Safety Benefit Invalidity Pension Injury Benefit State Pension (Contributory) Partial Capacity Benefit Jobseeker's Benefit Jobseeker's Pay-Related Benefit Widow's/Widower's/Surviving Civil Partner's Contributory Pension Guardian's Payment (Contributory) Maternity Benefit Adoptive Benefit Social Assistance Payments Blind Person's Pension Carer's Allowance Deserted Wife's Allowance Disability Allowance Working Family Payment Farm Assist State Pension (Non-Contributory) One Parent Family Payment Supplementary Welfare Allowance Jobseeker's Allowance Widow's Widower's Surviving Civil Partner's (Non-Contributory) Pension Guardian's Payment (Non-Contributory) The BSCFA is a means tested, once off, lump sum payment given to those who meet the criteria. Advertisement The weekly income limit for BSCFA is €694 for a family with one child, but this amount increases by €62 for each additional dependent child. All dependent children, including those over 18 in third level education, will be counted when applying the income limit. When assessing income from wages, the DSP looks at income before tax - but PRSI and a standard travel allowance of up to €20 each week is not included. Savings, investments, shares and property - but not your own home - are also assessed as part of the means test. Advertisement 1 The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance is a lump sum €160 or €285 payment Credit: Getty Images - Getty
