This allowance helps parents meet the cost of uniforms and footwear for their children. It doesn’t matter whether or not you have children with special needs. The scheme operates from June to September each year and is means tested. The main criteria are you must be in receipt of one of the following:
- Social welfare payment
- Family income supplement
- HSE payment
- Approved employment schemes
- Approved Training courses
- Fas course
- Back to Education Allowance
You must also be getting an increase in that payment for your child and your total household income must be below a certain amount;
Couple with Income limit in 2011
1 child €563.60
2 children €593.40
3 children €623.20
Certain payment such as Domiciliary Care Allowance & Careers Allowance are ignored.
If you qualify for the scheme you will receive €200 for each child aged 2-11. Children aged 12-22 – you will receive a payment of €305.
If you haven’t received a letter from the Department of Social Protection telling you that you automatically qualified. Then you will need to fill in the application form which can be downloaded from www.welfare.ie.