Low-income families are increasingly anxious that the next electricity bill will be the one they simply can’t meet, as everyday usage becomes a choice between heat, light and other essentials.
Official figures show that 7.4% of people went without heating at some stage in the past year, due to lack of money, while 4.5% said they were unable to keep their home adequately warm, a stark measure of energy deprivation even before the worst winter pressures bite.
At the same time, the energy regulator’s arrears updates show a significant share of domestic electricity accounts currently remain in arrears, with large numbers in longer-term debt (90+ days), underlining how quickly “a tough month” can become a lasting burden.
Anti-poverty groups, including SVP, warn that once-off supports have faded while costs remain punishing, leaving families fearful of disconnection, mounting repayment plans, and cold homes becoming normal.
However, there is a small glimmer of light at the end of this winter tunnel for people in receipt of Child Support Payments or getting a qualifying social protection payment or taking part in an approved employment, education or training support scheme, so do hang-in there.
Keep in mind that applications will open on June 1st for Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance eligibility for 2026.
Families who qualify for the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance (BSCFA) can apply from June 1st to 30th September each year, with the Department of Social Protection confirming the scheme window and advising that the 2026 scheme will open in June 2026.
The once-off, means-tested payment is designed to help with the cost of children’s clothing and footwear ahead of the return to school each autumn.
Payment rates.
The allowance is paid per eligible child, at two rates:
€160 for children aged 4–11.
€285 for children aged 12–22 (where eligible).
Children aged 18–22 must be returning to second-level education to qualify.
Key change for 2026: extension to children aged 2 and 3.
As part of Budget 2026, the Department has confirmed that the €160 rate will be extended to children aged 2 and 3 who qualify, a change that will apply for the 2026 Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance BSCFA.
Who qualifies.
To be eligible, applicants must meet a number of conditions, including:
- Be getting a qualifying social protection payment or taking part in an approved employment, education or training support scheme.
- Be getting Child Support Payment (previously Increase for a Qualified Child) for each child claimed (with some exceptions).
- Satisfy the household income limit (means test) and be resident in the State, as must each child claimed.
Operational guidelines set out weekly income limits (for 2025, for example: €694 for one child, €756 for two, €818 for three and €880 for four, with an additional €62 for each extra child).
How to apply and who gets paid automatically.
The Department says many families will be paid automatically through a data-matching process, with award notices issued to a person’s MyWelfare account or by post in June.
However, if you have not received an award notice by the end of June, and you meet the conditions, you will need to apply, even if you were paid automatically in previous years.
Applications are made online via MyWelfare.ie, which requires a verified MyGovID account.
Closing date.
The deadline to apply is September 30th of the scheme year.
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