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Full-time postgraduate course during unemployment?

  • 09-08-2009 9:17am
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 189 ✭✭


    I have quite confusing problem. I've just became unemployed (and awaiting the Job Seeker's Benefit) and because I applied for a few postgraduate courses (all with the duration of one year) way before it happened, here's a question: Is it legal to claim the Job Seeker's Benefit/Allowance while studding full time?

    I can't find any information anywhere that states that I cannot study full time while claiming the benefits from Social Welfare. Even on the Job Seeker's Benefit/Allowance form there are two questions like 'How many days a week would you like to work' or 'Are you going to continue studying'. The former implies that a person can work part time (ie, over the weekends), which is absolutely possible when studying full time.

    Also, can I apply for maintenance grant on top of that? As far as I now, the maintenance grant is based upon the previous tax year, while Job Seeker's Benefit/Allowance on all tax contributions. My logical understanding is this: If the Social Welfare gives the benefits to somebody who can stay at home for a year, then claiming the benefits in order to improve qualifications seems to be okay. Am I correct?


Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,920 ✭✭✭cee_jay


    To be eligible to claim Jobseekers Benefit/Allowance, you must be a Jobseeker, genuinely seeking work and available to work full time.
    As you are planning a full time post grad course, you would not satisfy that condition, and therefore not eligible for the payment.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,920 ✭✭✭cee_jay


    See this post in the FAQs for more information on the legislation regarding students:
    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=61056888&postcount=7


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,382 ✭✭✭✭greendom


    You might want to look into the scheme either recently introduced or about to be introduced where something like 1500 places university places will be made available to the unemployed without losing their benefits


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 145 ✭✭GER12


    People claiming JB/JA for at least 6 months are eligible for Back To Education Allowance.... which means that people retain their social welfare benefits for the duration of an undergrad or post-grad programme of study. The criteria of being "available for and genuinely seeking work" does not apply for BTEA.

    For post-grads, BTEA is only given for Diploma programmes or masters programmes in education. As the other poster said there was new college courses announced by the Minister for Education where unemployed persons can retain their benefits and do post-grad programmes. Information on this can be got from the higher education authority website www.hea.ie


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 145 ✭✭GER12


    You may also be entitled to the maintenance grant from the county council which is a means tested payment. The maintenance grant paid in addition to BTEA.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 145 ✭✭GER12


    The qualifying period for BTEA is 9 months - not 6mths.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,811 ✭✭✭✭billy the squid


    Some restrictions are waived in the case of redundancy, best to speak to the Socal Welfare Schemes office.


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