Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance

heathcliff · 31-05-2011 1:53pm #1

Hi I was wondering does anyone know what is the situation with this payment. I rang my local health board to get the form sent out to me and they informed me that they are no longer dealing with it and they don't know who is dealing with it now, that is all the information they have. They said there should be a statement soon and to keep an eye out for statements in media!!

mrsbyrne · 31-05-2011 3:30pm

heathcliff wrote: »

Hi I was wondering does anyone know what is the situation with this payment. I rang my local health board to get the form sent out to me and they informed me that they are no longer dealing with it and they don't know who is dealing with it now, that is all the information they have. They said there should be a statement soon and to keep an eye out for statements in media!!

hi OP did you get it last year? if you did they will eventually send you out an application form for this year. if you dont want to wait till then (and i wouldnt) keep an eye on your local paper as a notice will appear telling you where to get the form and where to send it. Beware, the CWOs are not processing BSCFA anymore. The form will be downloadable soon on www.welfare.ie. Beware dont pay any attention to www.hse.ie the form downloadable there is last years, as are the PO Box details:(your right to enquire about it now. it has been a long-winded affair for the last two years since the CWOs stopped dealing with it.

faw1tytowers · 31-05-2011 6:19pm

mrsbyrne wrote: »

hi OP did you get it last year? if you did they will eventually send you out an application form for this year. if you dont want to wait till then (and i wouldnt) keep an eye on your local paper as a notice will appear telling you where to get the form and where to send it. Beware, the CWOs are not processing BSCFA anymore. The form will be downloadable soon on www.welfare.ie. Beware dont pay any attention to www.hse.ie the form downloadable there is last years, as are the PO Box details:(your right to enquire about it now. it has been a long-winded affair for the last two years since the CWOs stopped dealing with it.

Never heard of them sending out forms! Thought it was a case of whoever asks... You have to beg and scrap for everything. I went into the cwo today and she also said they are not dealing with it this year and just to keep an eye out on the national papers. She said it will still be available but through another source.... Hopefully we will all get it on time for the school year this year!

rebecca 30 · 31-05-2011 6:25pm

heathcliff wrote: »

Hi I was wondering does anyone know what is the situation with this payment. I rang my local health board to get the form sent out to me and they informed me that they are no longer dealing with it and they don't know who is dealing with it now, that is all the information they have. They said there should be a statement soon and to keep an eye out for statements in media!!

Joan Burton, TD, Minister for Social Protection today (31st May, 2011 ) said that approximately 160,000 families are expected to benefit from the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance (BSCFA) over the summer months.

“This Scheme, which is administered by the Department of Social Protection, assists eligible categories of people help meet the cost of school clothing and footwear. The Allowance is paid in respect of eligible children between the ages of 2 and 17 years of age and between the ages of 18 and 22, if in full time education”, said the Minister.

The payment rates for the 2011 Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance scheme are €200 in respect of children aged 2 to 11 on 30 September 2011 and €305 for children aged 12 to 22 on 30th September 2011.

Minister Burton continued: “€82 million has been made available by Government this year for the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance scheme. This level of support, which exceeds the €77.4million spent on the Scheme last year, shows the Government’s commitment to assisting families who are under pressure financially; in particular recognising that the start of a school year can be a very pressurised time on household budgets.”

The administrative arrangements for the 2011 Scheme will differ from those that applied in previous years. For this year, the majority of Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance entitlements will be fully automated with no application form required from customers. These customers will simply receive a letter from the Department of Social Protection in mid-June telling them when and how their payment will be made.

A customer who does not receive an automated payment will be required to complete an application form which will become available from 30th June 2011. These applications will then be processed from one centralised unit within the Department of Social Protection.

Minister Burton said that the administrative arrangements for the 2011 Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance scheme are an example of the efficiencies that can be achieved through the greater use of technology and she acknowledged the role of the staff in the Department of Social Protection in bringing about these efficiencies. The Minister also acknowledged the excellent work of the Community Welfare Service in administering the scheme in previous years under difficult circumstances.

It is expected that in excess of 80% of customers entitled to the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance in 2011 will automatically receive the Allowance, with payments to these customers issuing from the end of June 2011.

ENDS

Notes for Editors
Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance 2011

Income limit for Couple
Couple with: Income limit
1 child
€563.60
2 children
€593.40
3 children
€623.20
4 children
€653.00 (*See Note )

Income limit for Lone Parent
Lone Parent with: Income limit
1 child
€410.10
2 children
€439.90
3 children
€469.70
4 children
€499.50 (*See Note )
*Note
Limit is increased by €29.80 for each additional child.

Rates of Payment
The rates of payment are:
(a) €200 in respect of children ages 2 to 11 on 30th September 2011;
(b) €305 in respect of children ages 12 to 22 on the 30th September 2011.

faw1tytowers · 31-05-2011 6:28pm

fantastic news, thanks for posting Rebbeca_30:)

heathcliff · 31-05-2011 8:40pm

@ Faw1tytowers, They posted it out to me after I called up the health centre last year..

@ Rebecca, Thanks for that information,

Heathcliff..

upinthesky · 01-06-2011 10:15am

excellent news great post thanks

mrsbyrne · 10-06-2011 9:49am

latest news
http://whatsnew.citizensinformation.ie/2011/06/01/applications-for-back-to-school-clothing-and-footwear-allowance/

jjll · 11-06-2011 12:17pm

has anyone recieved a letter yet i wouldnt say they will be in a rush

cee_jay · 13-06-2011 7:35pm

http://www.welfare.ie/EN/Schemes/SupplementaryWelfareAllowance/Pages/BacktoSchoolClothingandFootwearAllowance.aspx
It says on the above link the letters will be received in mid June so might be a small bit too early just yet.
If you don't receive a letter the form will be available online from 30th June 2011.

rpurfield · 20-06-2011 5:13pm

ive had a read of citizens information and the welfare site about this and i take it that this isnt means tested,ie your mortgage utilities loans etc arent taken into account??just need it spelled out for me so im sure!

cee_jay · 20-06-2011 6:51pm

You must be in receipt of certain payments to receive it - these payments are listed here:
http://www.welfare.ie/EN/OperationalGuidelines/Pages/swa_bts.aspx#annex. If you are receiving any one of these payments you must be receiving an increase for your child on it.
Your total household income must be below a certain amount for your family size. your total household income must be less than the amounts set out in the table below.
Your total household income includes your main social welfare or Health Service Executive payment, the income of any dependent children on the Youthreach Programme and any other income you may have including wages (before tax, but excluding PRSI and a standard travel allowance of up to €20 per week), maintenance, savings and investments.
The income limits can be found on www.welfare.ie

kazziedal1976 · 21-06-2011 12:15pm

Has anyone recieved a letter yet, It's nearly the end of June and I know I will by eligable to get it as I got it last year and nothings changed. I am getting worried now because I haven't heard from them yet. It would make me feel a lot better to know that other people who should get it also haven't recieved their letters either then I would know I haven't just slipped out of their system!
Thanks

jjll · 21-06-2011 2:44pm

same here as they said middle of june thought letters be out by now

jackmax · 21-06-2011 3:18pm

no i didnt get my letter yet either. hope it comes this week

tagine · 22-06-2011 5:44pm

was going to ask d same question.. dont think anyone has got letter yet

upinthesky · 22-06-2011 5:47pm

it would be good to know what payment they are paying it through if its with child benifit then it wont be for a couple of weeks but if its with your weekly social welfare payment then the letters should be out soon

chucken1 · 22-06-2011 8:47pm

Sorry,not highjacking the thread,But would anyone know if my partner can claim this for his daughter. She lives with her mother who works part time but doesnt collect benefits. My partner is on SWA.
Usually when it comes to the uniform both parents chip in with help from grandparents.
Just wondering if he should apply.
Thanks.

faw1tytowers · 23-06-2011 12:50am

nope no letter....

upinthesky · 23-06-2011 9:53am

chucken1 wrote: »

Sorry,not highjacking the thread,But would anyone know if my partner can claim this for his daughter. She lives with her mother who works part time but doesnt collect benefits. My partner is on SWA.
Usually when it comes to the uniform both parents chip in with help from grandparents.
Just wondering if he should apply.
Thanks.

not sure if she has to be living with him might be worth him contacting his local sw office or cwo about it

jackmax · 23-06-2011 10:38am

no letter today

karenmch · 23-06-2011 10:57am

no letter today either

mrsbyrne · 23-06-2011 11:35am

It doesnt apply to me but, if i had a number you guys could ring to enquire about this i would give it to you. There is no point going to the CWO, they are nothing to do with it any more. Its the same with the Third Level Education Grants Application forms. This time last year we had been downloading them for at least 4 weeks, this year, zilch, nada. Students will be waiting now till November for the first grant to come in. Try telling the landlord hes not going to get his rent till November. Sorry mods, i know i shouldnt be moaning on this forum. please forgive.

Techno_Toaster · 23-06-2011 4:43pm

Just seen it advertised in my local paper. You can get it online at the start of July at welfare.ie, or to get the form sent out to you by texting a number. Not 100% sure of the number now but I will check and let you know.

jjll · 24-06-2011 7:22pm

Techno_Toaster wrote: »

Just seen it advertised in my local paper. You can get it online at the start of July at welfare.ie, or to get the form sent out to you by texting a number. Not 100% sure of the number now but I will check and let you know.

which allowance did you see advertised in the paper the education or footwear allowance form at start of july

Techno_Toaster · 24-06-2011 9:49pm

jjll wrote: »

which allowance did you see advertised in the paper the education or footwear allowance form at start of july

The back to school clothing and footwear allowance

Karen23 · 25-06-2011 1:42am

Text the form code and your name and adress to 51909
eg, text FORM BTSCFA Mary Murphy 1 New Street, Old Town, Co. Donegal. to 51909

make sure you put FORM BTSCFA in CAPS or the text will return as invalid.
I text it tonight and I got a text back straight away saying the form will be posted in 5 working days.

Techno_Toaster · 25-06-2011 10:42am

Yes it's text FORM BTSCFA and your name and address to 51909. Or you can download it from welfare.ie at the beginning of July.

upinthesky · 25-06-2011 10:52am

do you think we should text for the form or wait and see if we get a letter?

jayjayxxx · 25-06-2011 11:48am

i was told if u got it last year and ur circumstances r the same u would recieve it automatically into ur local post office.

jjll · 25-06-2011 9:12pm

when will it be in the post office

jayjayxxx · 26-06-2011 10:56am

anytime from end of this month. but i'd advice u 2 get a form just incase everyone who applied before is supposed to get it automatically..

jjll · 26-06-2011 1:26pm

i did get it last year just find it strange no one has a letter

January · 26-06-2011 4:35pm

jayjayxxx wrote: »

i was told if u got it last year and ur circumstances r the same u would recieve it automatically into ur local post office.

How will they know your circumstances are the same unless you fill out a form!?

jayjayxxx · 26-06-2011 6:10pm

they would have everyone on record i'd say.

January · 26-06-2011 8:28pm

You're giving the government a little bit too much faith here...

If that were the case would they not just go through the DSFA records and give the payment to everyone who is on the list with children of school going age the payment automatically?

jjll · 26-06-2011 8:30pm

as its from the social they will have all up to date records and i will imagine that it will be paid with your child benefit in july

easy1 · 27-06-2011 10:27am

I receive today a letter,saying when Back to School payment will be available to collect with my Social Welfare payment .
My friends also got letter today.

upinthesky · 27-06-2011 11:09am

easy1 wrote: »

I receive today a letter,saying when Back to School payment will be available to collect with my Social Welfare payment .
My friends also got letter today.

great news so i take it anyone that does not get there letter by the end of the week should apply for the form hope i get one it would be so much easier!

jjll · 27-06-2011 11:50am

no letter here..... will you be getting it this week in your social welfare and i get paid into bank so i guess it will be in there

katiebelle · 27-06-2011 11:57am

Got no letter yet but hopefully will did not actually get the allowance last year until start of October. Heres hoping I get the letter soon. Thanks for all the really great info on this one people , much appreciated

jackmax · 27-06-2011 12:23pm

no letter here either today

at least some people are getting theirs now so we know they are on the way hopefully

dark crystal · 27-06-2011 12:35pm

My sister has received this payment the last two years and hasn't received any letters yet, either. Nor have two of her friends.

Seems ridiculous to tell people they will be notified in mid-June, yet very few people seem to have gotten any notification as of yet.

If this decision was made to supposedly speed up the process and decrease the backlogs, come the 1st July, I reckon they will be almost as bad as they were before they brought this new measure in, if they don't pull their socks up and start letting people know where they stand!

What's the point in setting themselves a deadline if they aren't able to deliver on it?

im a believer · 27-06-2011 12:56pm

i just rang the "helpline" got automated answer says that if you dont get a letter by the end of this month you need to apply as usual, just a few days left then!keeping my fingers crossed cause i dont want to go through the ordeal again!! is a brilliant help to low income families but surely the process could be made easier.

Yawns · 27-06-2011 1:03pm

I recieved a phonecall from a friend who claimed their cousin got it. A bit long winded I know but as I got it last year and forgot all about it this year, I popped around to my local post office and it was in there for me today.

dark crystal · 27-06-2011 1:06pm

im a believer wrote: »

i just rang the "helpline" got automated answer says that if you dont get a letter by the end of this month you need to apply as usual, just a few days left then!keeping my fingers crossed cause i dont want to go through the ordeal again!! is a brilliant help to low income families but surely the process could be made easier.

I think they were aiming to make it easier with this new system. Unfortunately it doesn't seem to to be working too well and is just causing a lot of confusion as far as I can see.

katiebelle · 27-06-2011 1:20pm

I sent the text. No point in waiting. If I get the payment in the meantime great but if I don't I want that form asap. I don't want to be waiting till October to be paid again this year.

Agent_99 · 27-06-2011 2:30pm

Received Letter today confirming payment with Social Welfare payment week commencing 26th June 2011. Thank God. Can get things bought and packed away for September.

dark crystal · 27-06-2011 3:03pm

Yawns wrote: »

I recieved a phonecall from a friend who claimed their cousin got it. A bit long winded I know but as I got it last year and forgot all about it this year, I popped around to my local post office and it was in there for me today.

Did you get a letter telling you it would be there?

gcgirl · 27-06-2011 3:14pm

Have heard nothing and i have always been anal about the form same day i received it its filled in and sent off getting a lil bit worried here

egan2020 · 27-06-2011 3:34pm

I've never received this before but I'm in receipt of maternity benefit this year so I believe I can avail of it this time round. Is any documentation required to be submitted with the form, e.g. proof of social welfare payment, letter from school etc?

Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance

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