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Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance for Limerick parents 

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3 years ago

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Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance for Limerick parents 

 The school holidays are only just starting so it seems early to be talking about going back again when children are all excited about being free. However, the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance (BTSCFA) is now being distributed by the Department of Social Protection. Families who have received a letter by 21st June will be paid automatically. BTSCFA

If you think you might be entitled to the BTSCFA and did not receive a letter or are a new applicant, you may be unsure of how to receive this allowance. Citizens Information Centres (CICs) in Limerick can help explain whether you are eligible for BTSCFA and how to apply for it. 

According to Limerick Development Manager Ciaran Casey “Many families will receive the BTSCFA in the week beginning 12th July. However, if families didn’t get a letter by 21st June saying the payment was on the way, then they must apply online at MyWelfare.ie or request a paper application form from the Department of Social Protection at 071 9193318. This year the allowance paid for each eligible child aged 4-11 on 30th September is €150 while it is €275 for eligible children aged 12-22 in full-time second-level education in a recognized school or college in the autumn of 2021. The staff in our CICs throughout the county are here to help, whether it is assisting with filling out this form or answering any queries you may have.” 


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Lorraine Whisker Information Officer Limerick Citizens Information Centre stated, “There is some additional information regarding the BTSCFA that many people may not be aware of, for example, people who are in receipt of the Covid PUP payment may be entitled to the BTSCFA if their household income is below a certain threshold for their family size; where there is a child who is 18 or older and still in second-level education,  an application must be made and evidence provided that they are still in secondary school, even if the payment is going to be automatically paid for other children in the family.” 

Jimmy Prior Coordinator Southill Family Resource Centre stated, “Many of our parents would have found the form filling complicated and the support of the local CIC is so valuable to ensure that they can claim for everything their family is entitled to.  If this payment wasn’t available many of our parents would find it impossible to buy their children new shoes and uniforms for returning to school without getting into debt. For these families, it is a lifesaver”. 

Citizens Information Centres (CICs), funded by the Citizens Information Board, provide free, impartial and confidential information, advice and advocacy services to the public on social services, rights and entitlements. 

They are available from Monday to Friday and while the drop-in service is not currently available due to COVID-19, they are assisting clients through phone and email and limited face to face appointments. They can be contacted at 0761 07 5780, email [email protected]. 
 

About Citizens Information Centres 

Funded by the Citizens Information Board, Limerick is part of North Munster Citizens Information Service, a regional service with 14 Citizens Information Centres located throughout Clare, Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford 

The Limerick offices responded to circa 42,000 queries in 2020 on a wide range of subjects including Health, Social Welfare, PUP, Employment, Tax, Housing, Moving Country, Education and Training, Justice etc. 

  

  

Key Points of Back to School Clothing & Footwear Allowance (BTSCFA) 

1 

Helps meet cost of uniforms & footwear for children going to school 

2 

Open for applications from 21 Jun to 30 Sep 2021 

3 

Paid automatically to many families week beginning 12 Jul 2021 – letters issued before 21 Jun 2021 confirming this. 

4 

For those who don’t receive a confirmation letter by 21 Jun 2021 they must apply online 

5 

To qualify for BTSCFA it depends on; 

●      payment received from the State  

●      age of child on 30 September 

●      household income 

6 

Not eligible if 

●      child is not resident in the State 

●      child is fostered (Tusla provide financial support which includes help for clothing and footwear) 

7 

Apply before scheme closes if you have; 

●      applied for a social welfare payment, or 

●      appealed a decision not to award you a social welfare payment and are waiting for a decision on your application. 

Entitlement to the BTSCFA will be decided when a decision on an application or appeal is made. 

   

During Covid19 the main Limerick centres are: 

Limerick 

Centre 

Address 

Phone No 

Email Address 

Opening Hours 

Manager 

Limerick 

Ground Floor, Riverstone House, Henry Street, Limerick, 

0761 07 5780 

9.30 – 4.15 

Mon to Fri 

Ciarán Casey 

Kilmallock 

Pastoral Centre, Sheare’s St, Kilmallock, Co Limerick 

0761 07 5770 

Phones will be answered as per Limerick City opening times. 

Newcastlewest 

1st Floor, The Desmond Complex, Gortboy, Newcastlewest, Co Limerick 

  

  

 

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For more info about Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance go HERE 

For more stories on community go HERE 

 
 
 
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