BTEA - not eligible

jasjnr

Ok my story is this:
I was made redundant at the end of March this year(09). I was awarded statutory redundancy. I 'signed on' at the start of April and was awarded Jobseekers Allowance. With no job prospects in my line of work and no commitments I thought it a perfect time to go to university and get a degree. So I rang up higher education grants in Cork and I am eligible for the the grant. I also was awarded my place in UL as a mature student (I'm 28) which made me very . Silly me never checked the Back to Education Allowance conditions but it turns out because I'm not out of work for long enough I don't qualify. So instead of me putting in the effort and getting myself educated they would prefer to pay me my JSA and sit on my ass for the next year!!! Unreal. I also have accomodation booked in Limerick and informed my landlord I'm moving out. I was supposed to be moving there next Friday! I know I should have done my homework. Is there any other way of me being able to afford staying in Limerick for the term?
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
James

dotsflan

i thought you were elegible once you recieve statutory redundancy?? you should check that out!

jasjnr

hi dotsflan thanks for the quick response.
From [url]www.citizensinformation.ie:[/url]
"From 1 May 2009, to qualify for the third level option, the length of time you must be getting a qualifying social welfare payment will be reduced from 12 months to 9 months in line with National Employment Action Plan when recommended by a Facilitator from the Department of Social and Family Affairs (DSFA)."
I'll be on JSA 5 months from start of September.

dotsflan

if you read down a bit farther on the BTEA education page it says if you have recieved statutory redundancy and are recieving a social welfare payment you may be elegible to qualify for BTEA. hope this helps

jasjnr

Ah, I see this now. I'll have to go in Monday and find this out. Thanks very much!!

RoyalMarine

jasjnr wrote: »

hi dotsflan thanks for the quick response.
From [url]www.citizensinformation.ie:[/url]
"From 1 May 2009, to qualify for the third level option, the length of time you must be getting a qualifying social welfare payment will be reduced from 12 months to 9 months in line with National Employment Action Plan when recommended by a Facilitator from the Department of Social and Family Affairs (DSFA)."
I'll be on JSA 5 months from start of September.

my facilitator told me they have the ability to grant it at their discression if your short a few weeks.

jasjnr

I spoke with the facilitator today and I'm sorted.
Thanks for the help guys!!
Bring on the college life