Applications open for Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance

Applications for the 2025 Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance have opened with over 4,000 Meath families already set to receive their allowance.

The Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance provides a once-off payment to eligible families towards the cost of school clothing and footwear. Payments of €160 are for children aged 4-11 while those aged 12 years and over in second level education receive €285.

Over €54 million has been provided for the scheme this year with approximately €42 million being paid to those automatically receiving the allowance.

Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary TD said he was “delighted to announce that the Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance for 2025 opens for applications today.”

The majority of payments will be paid automatically with no application required. Minister Calleary said over “75% of payments under this scheme will be paid without the need to make an application.”

Payments will be sent out during the week beginning the 14th of July 2025. These are currently being processed, and families will receive confirmation informing them of their automatic entitlement on their MyWelfare account or by post. Families who do not receive notification from the Department of an automated payment should make an application online on www.MyWelfare.ie, even if they received a payment last year.

Applications for this year’s allowance close on the 30th of September 2025.