Back to School Clothing & Footwear
€160 for each child aged 2 to 11 and €285 for each child aged 12 to 17. Young people aged 18 to 22 also get €285 if they are going back to full-time second-level education.
Last checked October 2026
What it is
Annual help with the cost of kitting children out for school. Applications for 2026 closed on 30 September 2026. The 2027 allowance opens in June 2027.
Who can get it
- You are getting a qualifying welfare payment or on an approved employment, education or training scheme. Maternity Benefit and Adoptive Benefit count where no increase for a qualified child is paid. Guardian's Payments, the Daily Expenses Allowance and the Temporary Protection weekly payment count too
- You are getting a Child Support Payment for each child or the child is in foster care with you and you get Foster Care Allowance for them, with some other exceptions
- Your weekly household income is under the limit for your family size
- You and the children live in the State
- Children must be aged 2 to 17, or 18 to 22 if returning to second-level education.
- The scheme runs from June to the end of September each year.
- Many families are paid automatically and get a notice in June. If you do not get one by the end of June but you qualify, you need to apply.
- The 2026 weekly household income limits are €726.70 with one child, €804.70 with two, €882.70 with three and €960.70 with four, plus €78 for each extra child. Every dependent child counts towards the limit, including children under 2 and young people aged 18 to 22 in third-level education. Wages count before tax but after employee PRSI and a €20 travel allowance. These are not counted as income: Child Benefit, Working Family Payment, Rent Supplement, Back to Work Family Dividend, Guardian's Payments, Domiciliary Care Allowance, Blind Welfare Allowance, Foster Care Allowance, higher level education grants and earnings from rehabilitative employment of up to €165 a week.
How to apply
Many people are paid automatically. If you are, an award notice is sent in June to your MyWelfare account or by post. If you get no notice by the end of June, apply online at MyWelfare.ie. To apply online you need a verified MyGovID account. If you do not have one, the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance contact centre can help on 071 91 93318 or 0818 111113. From June 2027 a printable PDF application form will also be available. The scheme is open from 1 June to 30 September each year.
Go to the official page →Checked against the official source on 20 October 2026. Always confirm the details on the official page before applying.
Questions people ask
How much is the Back to School Allowance in 2026?
The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance is €160 for each child aged 2 to 11 and €285 for each child aged 12 to 17. Young people aged 18 to 22 also get €285 if they are going back to full-time second-level education. Ages are taken on 30 September 2026.
When is the Back to School Allowance paid in 2026?
Many families are paid automatically. They get a notice in June on MyWelfare or by post, so they do not need to apply. Check your MyWelfare account or your post.
What if I was not paid automatically?
If you qualify but were not paid automatically and did not get a notice, you need to apply yourself on MyWelfare.ie. The closing date for the 2026 allowance was 30 September 2026. The 2027 allowance opens in June 2027.
Related guides
- National Childcare Scheme
- ECCE (free preschool)
- Child Benefit
- Working Family Payment
- Back to Work Family Dividend
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