LANDY WELCOMES AUTOMATED PAYMENT OF BACK TO SCHOOL CLOTHING ALLOWANCE

Issued : Monday 10 June, 2013
Areas : All Ireland

Labour Senator Denis Landy has welcomed confirmation
that the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance (BTSCFA) for 2013 will
again be automatically approved for low-income families who have qualified
previously and meet the criteria for this year.

Approximately 110,000 families will be notified by the Department of Social Protection in the coming days that their BTSCFA will be paid along with their weekly social welfare payment in the week commencing 15^th July, with no requirement to apply.

Anyone who does not receive a BTSCFA automatically, who is in receipt of certain social welfare payments and is claiming for a child between the age of 4 and 18 years – or 22 years if in full-time education - will need to complete an application form. Forms will be available in all local social welfare offices, on the Department’s website (www.welfare.ie) or by texting “Form BTSCFA” followed by their name and address to 51909. Applications can be made from Monday 17^th June.

Landy urged parents and guardians not to delay in submitting their application. The sooner the forms are submitted the sooner the allowance will be paid.