THE GOVERNMENT HAS opened applications for the 2026 Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance, with the scheme expanded this year to include children aged two and three for the first time.

The change means an estimated 37,000 additional children will now qualify for the payment, which is designed to help families meet the cost of school and preschool clothing ahead of the new academic year.

Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary said the extension recognises the pressure faced by parents at the start of the school year and would provide “practical support at a time when it matters most”.

Under the scheme, eligible families will receive €160 for children aged between two and 11, and €285 for children aged 12 and over in second-level education.

The Department of Social Protection said more than 109,000 families will receive the allowance automatically in July, covering almost 202,000 children.

These payments, worth over €42 million, will be issued during the week beginning 13 July.

In total, the scheme is expected to support more than 144,000 families, at a cost of €60.4 million.

You can qualify for the allowance if are getting a qualifying social welfare payment, or if your household is within set income limits (€726.70 per week for one child, and an incremental increase of €78 for every additional dependent child).

Around three-quarters of recipients will not need to apply, with automatic eligibility being confirmed through MyWelfare accounts or by post.

Those not contacted by the Department have been advised to submit an application online via MyWelfare.ie.

The Department said it is currently processing automatic payments, with confirmation notices being issued to eligible families ahead of the July payment run.

Applications for the 2026 scheme opened on Wednesday, 3 June, with a closing date of 30 September 2026.

More information on the scheme is available here.