back to education allowance

bindi

I am a mature person (30). I have been unemployed since last august.i have inquired about btea so i know alot about it.problem is I have got a place at college but my dole ends late August & the course begins early september.theres a gap of 2 weeks exactly. I will not qualify for jobs seekers allowance because I have a husband. the allowance doesnt take into account our mortgage or loans its based on his gross income! I must be in receipt of dole or jobs seekers allowance in order to then change to BTEA.And I wont be in receipt of anything by early september.My heart is broken at this stage and I'm worried sick. i just want to do well for myself but all the odds seem to be against us. I thought maybe if i can get part time work I might be able to extend my job seekers benefit. I've rang multiple social welfare offices for advice and nobody seems to have an answer. I'm really scared about what to do. As I said earlier I really want to do well for myself thats all. Any help would be greatly appreciated
Bindi

Hacks

I'm pretty much in the exact same poition as you, my Jobseekers benefit ends sometime before Sept/Oct but presume i'll just get the Jobseekers Allowance until the BTEA kicks in. Have you applied for the Maintenance grant yet ??

jano1

Have you left it too late to get on a FAS course? This would have given you more time.

Hacks

Sorry i read the post a little wrong the first time.
Anyway does anyone know if i tell the welfare office that i'm gonna be applying for the BTEA in a few months will it mean i'm not entitled to Jobseekers Allowance ?? my Jobseekers Benefit (stamps) expire next week and i've to meet some inspector gadget guy !! I'm not exactly "seeking work" at the moment so should i just pretend i am and then land the BTEA on them in a month or two.....................any advice would be appreciated

jano1

Bottom line is that you won't be eligible for BTEA unless you are in receipt of one of the listed SW allowances/benefits for the BTEA. If you go from JB to JA, your husband will be means tested and if he earns over a certain amount, you won't get any JA and therefore no BTEA. If you were on a FAS course, your PRSI contributions are suspended and you could then be eligible. You may be too late though now as there is a waiting list for most FAS courses.:eek:

Hacks

I'm sure that even if you get means tested (with husband etc) you'll surely qualify for something, even €50 a week until college starts, then the BTEA will kick in and you'll automatically qualify for the max amount (€204.30). If you qualify for nothing at all i have no sympathy coz you must be minted !!!
Bottom line is that you might be a bit broke until Sept but should be ok then

bindi

Thanks for the replies guys,

I have applied for the BTEA now. So fingers crossed really. will let you know..
Bindi

Lewe

Hi all,

I applied for the BTEA in july and still haven't heard anything back.I'm 19, on jobseekers for over a year and was last year was awarded stautory redundency so i am entitled to it. Does anyone know how long you have to wait before you hear anything back?????

Luke G

Yeah i applied for it the start of july aswel, but as far as i know you get paid the first week of college, that's based on my mates and other people i know who got it before, and you get your course fees back the first week too,

As regards to the first post on this thread, as long as you are over 21, out of schol more than 2 or 3 years not sure, one of those?? and in receipt of jobseekers benefit or allowance for more than 6 months, then you qualify for BTEA...

CarDriver

I am wondering would my sister be eligible for the scheme. She did a FÁS course last september and has been signing on since july. She was previously in a college course but had to leave it as she didnt pass a placement module. Keeping into consideration theat she is registered with FÁS since September last and is receiving social welfare would she be eligible?