Title: Back To School Allowance
Author: Ireland, Dept. Of Social Protection
Full Text & Source:http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Back-to-School-Clothing-and-Footwear-Allowance.aspx
The Internet, Online, 10/3/2015
Sample Text
Changes in 2014
In 2014 the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance is no longer paid to children aged 18 and over who are in third-level education. It is paid for those aged 18-22 who are in second-level education only, not in third-level education.
You may qualify for the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance if you are:
- Getting a social welfare payment (including Family Income Supplement) or a Health Service Executive payment, or
- Taking part in an approved employment scheme (back to work scheme) including JobBridge or
- Taking part in a recognised education or training course, or
- Involved in an Area Partnership Scheme, or
- Attending a SOLAS, Fáilte Ireland or LES training scheme
Your child must be aged between 4-17 on or before 30 September 2014. If they are aged between 18-22 they must be in full-time second-level education in a recognised school or college.
Income limits
To qualify for the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance, your total household income must be less than the amounts set out in the table below. All your dependent children are taken into account for the income limits (including children who do not qualify for BTSCFA, because they are under 4).
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.
Savings and investments (including property, but not your home) are assessed as follows:
| Capital | Weekly means assessed |
| First €5,000 | not taken into account |
| Next €10,000 | €1 per €1,000 |
| Next €25,000 | €2 per €1,000 |
| Balance | €4 per €1,000 |
Note: Any income you get from Rent Supplement or Mortgage Interest Supplement, Family Income Supplement, Blind Welfare Allowance, Rehabilitation Training Allowance, rehabilitative employment (up to €120 per week), Domiciliary Care Allowance, Mobility Allowance and the Student Grant Scheme is not counted.
Income limits for couples 2014
| Couple | Income limit |
| 1 child | €563.60 |
| 2 children | €593.40 |
| 3 children | €623.20 |
| 4 children | €653* |
*The income limit is increased by €29.80 for each additional dependent child.
Income limits for lone parents 2014
| Lone parent | Income limit |
| 1 child | €410.10 |
| 2 children | €439.90 |
| 3 children | €469.70 |
| 4 children | €499.50* |
*The income limit is increased by €29.80 for each additional dependent child.
Where to apply
Completed application forms with supporting documentation should be returned to:
Department of Social Protection
PO Box 131
Letterkenny
Co. Donegal
Locall:1890 66 22 44
ANNETTE J DUNLEA 
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