There’s still time to apply for School Clothing and Footwear Allowance 2016

YOU may qualify for the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance if you are in receipt of a qualifying payment which includes an increase in respect of your child / children, and subject to a means test.

In general, you may qualify if you are in one of these groups:

- You are receiving a social welfare payment or a HSE payment.

- You are taking part in an approved employment scheme or in a recognised education or training course

- You are involved in an Area Partnership Scheme

- You are attending a FET (formerly FÁS), Fáilte Ireland or LES training scheme.

- The scheme runs each year until September 30 so applications can still be made either through your local welfare office or by downloading a form from www.welfare.ie.

Anyone who received the payment previously and who is still eligible will not need to apply again - you should have received a letter from the Department of Social Protection in mid-June telling you when and how your payments will be made. If you have not received a letter by now and you believe you are eligible, contact the Department as soon as possible.

To qualify for this allowance, your household income must be below a certain limit, depending on your family composition.

In general, the rate of the allowance paid for each eligible child aged 4-11 is €100 and €200 for those aged between 12-22

Those aged between 18-22 must be in fulltime second-level education.

For more information, log on to www.welfare.ie or phone 1890 66 22 44.