Irish families to see financial boost as multiple payments set to kick in this month
The return of schools and colleges can be a costly time for families but there are a number of payments set to be made from this month that will help give parents a financial boost
September can be a costly month for families as schools and colleges return for a new academic year.
This year, there are several important cost of living and social welfare changes to take note of, including alterations to the student grant and back-to-school payments.
Parents can claim up to €700 worth of financial assistance from the government to help cover the cost of back-to-school expenses and a new government support scheme will substantially reduce the cost of childcare for families, reports Cork Beo. September also marks the return of the Fuel Allowance, a handy social welfare payment that helps people keep their homes warm as the weather turns cooler.
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Here's everything you need to know about the cost of living and social welfare changes coming into effect this September.
Back-to-school supports
Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance
The scheme is a once-off payment made to eligible families to assist them with the cost of sending their children back to school and applications for it will remain open until September 30.
The rate of payment for 2024 is €160 for children aged 4 - 11 and €285 for children aged 12 years and over in second-level education.
If you're already receiving the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance (BSCFA) automatically, there's no need to apply again. The Department of Social Protection (DSP) will notify you through your MyWelfare account or by post if you're set to receive the payment.
However, if you haven't received any communication from the DSP by the end of June, you must apply for the BSCFA online, even if you were a recipient last year. Applications for the BSCFA opened on 12 June 2024 and will close on 30 September 2024.
Free Schoolbook Scheme
The Free Education Scheme will provide free schoolbooks to Junior Cycle post-primary students from the upcoming 2024/2025 academic year. With Junior Cycle books costing around €300 on average, this is a welcome relief amid the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
More than 212,000 students enrolled in approximately 670 post-primary schools will benefit from the new scheme. It underscores the Government's commitment to extend the free schoolbooks scheme to schools nationwide, as resources permit, reports RSVP Live.
Child Benefit
Child Benefit will be paid at the start of September, providing a handy €140 per child during the back-to-school season.
College student supports
Student contribution
From September 2024, the income threshold to qualify for the 100 per cent Student Contribution will increase to €55,924.
Student grant
From September 2024, the non-adjacent maintenance rates will increase by €615 per academic year and the adjacent maintenance rates will increase by 10 per cent per academic year.
Childcare
National Childcare Scheme
From September, the National Childcare Scheme hourly subsidy will increase from €1.40 to €2.14. These new subsidy rates will reduce the cost of childcare for families using Tusla-registered providers by up to €96.30 weekly per child, or over €5,000 annually.
Social Welfare
Fuel Allowance
The Fuel Allowance is paid from September to April every year. It is paid in either 28 weekly instalments of €33 or two lump sum payments of €462.
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