Reduction In Back To School Allowance Processing Times In Mid West
Minister for Defence, Mr. Tony Killeen, T.D., has reassured parents in the Mid West that all eligible claims for the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance (BSCFA) will be processed in the next two weeks. The Fianna Fail Deputy confirmed that the processing time for claims in the region has been considerably reduced during the past week.
Minister Killeen added: “To date €3,887,585 has been paid out in North Tipperary, Limerick and Clare. 7,982 claims have been paid and while there is still some waiting time in this area, the time for processing has been reduced from 30 days to between 10-12 days. Despite the negativity being expressed by some quarters in respect of the processing times, all eligible applicants can be assured that they will receive payments in the coming weeks.”
Figures provided by the HSE, show that up to last Friday, 168,175 claims for Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance (BSCFA) were received. Of the claims received, 133,026 have been paid. This represents a payment rate of 80%.
Commenting on the scheme, Minister Killeen outlined: “The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance scheme is administered on behalf of the Department by the Community Welfare Division of the Health Service Executive. A person may qualify for payment of an allowance if they are in receipt of a Social Welfare payment (including Family Income Supplement), or Health Service Executive payment, are participating in an approved employment scheme or attending a recognised education and training course and have household income at or below certain set levels.”
“Parents/guardians receive €200 for each eligible child aged between 2 and 11 years and €305 for each eligible child aged between 12 and 22 years. The weekly income limit for the allowance for parents with one child is now €563.60 for couples, and €410.10 for those parenting alone”, he concluded.
The rates of payment are:
– €200 in respect of children aged 2 to 11 on the 30th September 2010;
– €305 in respect of children aged 12 to 17 on the 30th September 2010;
– €305 in respect of children aged 18 to 22 on the 30th September 2010 who are in full time education.
– As a special measure introduced in Budget 2009, an additional amount of €215 is payable for children aged 18 ONLY in respect of whom compensatory Child Benefit is in payment. Total payment in respect of eligible children aged 18 is €520.
