There are two key payments due to land in the coming months and people can apply if they are eligible – here’s everything you need to know about them and who can claim
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There are two major social welfare payments landing this summer and people are being urged to apply if they are eligible.
In the midst of the ongoing cost of living crisis, it’s important to claim anything you’re entitled to.
The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance and the Carer’s Support Grant will be paid over the next few months – here’s everything you need to know.
Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance
The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance (BSCFA) is a payment to help families with the cost of school uniforms and shoes.
You can get the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance (BSCFA) if you have a child that qualifies, and, you are getting a qualifying social welfare payment, or are participating in an approved employment, education or training support scheme, your household is within the BSCFA income limits and you and each child you claim the BSCFA for are resident in Ireland.
If you are getting a social welfare payment, you must be getting a Child Support Payment (previously called an Increase for a Qualified Child or IQC) with your payment. There are some exceptions to this.
To get the BSCFA, your child must be aged between 2-17 on 30 September in the year you apply or aged between 18-22 and returning to full-time second-level education in a recognised school in the autumn of the year you apply Your child must be resident in Ireland.
Since June 2025, if you are getting the Foster Care Allowance, you can apply for the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance for each foster child. To qualify for the payment, you must satisfy the conditions of the scheme. Previously, foster carers were excluded from applying on behalf of the foster children in their care.
A rate of €160 is paid in respect of children aged 2-11, while a rate of €285 is paid in respect of children aged 12-22.
For full details of the scheme, click here.
Carer’s Support Grant
The Department of Social Protection (DSP) pays the Carer’s Support Grant to carers once a year. It was previously known as the Respite Care Grant. The grant can be used however you see fit. While it can be used to cover respite care costs, it isn’t mandatory to do so. Only one Carer’s Support Grant can be paid per person receiving care.
It is automatically given to those receiving Carer’s Allowance (both full rate and half-rate), Carer’s Benefit and Domiciliary Care Allowance. More recipients are set to benefit from the payment as one of the automatic schemes will alter its criteria this year.
In July 2026, the weekly income disregard for Carer’s Allowance will be raised by €375 to €1,000 for a single person, and by €750 to €2,000 for a couple. More people will be able to claim Carer’s Allowance, and therefore the Carer’s Support Grant going forward.
The grant is usually paid out on the first Thursday of June, meaning in 2026 recipients can expect to be paid on the 4th of June. Applications are now open for those who aren’t paid automatically. The rate of payment is €2,000.
For full details on the Carer’s Support Grant, click here.
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