Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 October 2024
121. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection to reconsider a decision to refuse back-to-school allowance in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39593/24]
View answerThe Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance scheme provides a once-off payment to eligible families to assist with the costs of clothing and footwear when children start or return to school each autumn. The scheme operates from June to September each year.
In order to qualify for Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance, an applicant must satisfy a number of qualifying conditions, one of which requires the applicant’s weekly household income to be within the relevant income limits.
The Weekly Household Income Limits for 2024 are:
|
No. of Children |
Income Limit |
|
No. of Children |
Income Limit |
|
1 child |
€666.00 |
|
2 children |
€720.00 |
|
3 children |
€774.00 |
|
4 children* |
€828.00 |
*Limit is increased by €54 for each additional child
The household income includes weekly social protection payments, gross income from employment, minus employees PRSI and a €20 travel allowance and any other income the household may have.
Any income from Child Benefit, Rent Supplement, Working Family Payment, Back to Work Family Dividend, Guardian’s Payments, Domiciliary Care Allowance, Blind Welfare Allowance, Foster Care Allowance, Higher Level Education grants, or rehabilitative employment (up to €165 per week) is not assessable.
A review of the eligibility to the allowance for the person concerned has been undertaken and their application for the allowance has not been awarded as their weekly household income is in excess of the relevant income limit. Details of the income assessed has been sent to the person concerned.
Applications which fall outside the normal rules 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. There is a National Community Welfare Service Contact Centre in place – 0818-607080 – which will direct callers to the appropriate office.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
