Welfare Queries

ninty9er

As my distinguished colleague has opened up to boards in relation to Education, I shall endeavour to answer your welfare questions here.

D

cson

Free johnnies for all!

skeleton_boy

Sticky such threads?

billy the squid

Why is the form for financial assistance fire engine red. don't you think it should be a more descrete colour like white?

ninty9er

The forms are coloured so that they can't be photocopied. The colour is different for semester 2. For filing purposes it's also handy that the form is distinctive from all the documentation accompanying it.

In any case, there is no requirement to fill the form out in a public place.

billy the squid

in seriousness though, the dark colour of the page makes it difficult to read.

just thought I would mention it.

ninty9er

billy the squid wrote: »

in seriousness though, the dark colour of the page makes it difficult to read.

just thought I would mention it.

Will keep that one in mind. Cheers.

billy the squid

Now for my next challenge

Any chance you can get ULSU to find out the full and detailed story in relation to what is happening to the grant for BTEA recipients?

mud

billy the squid wrote: »

Now for my next challenge

Any chance you can get ULSU to find out the full and detailed story in relation to what is happening to the grant for BTEA recipients?

Yep I'd love to know too.

From what I can find it seems I'll be ok as this applies to students entering the system in 2010, I would like it clarified though please*.

Cheers mud.

*I would also LOVE to see my grant soon but that's besides the point.

ninty9er

billy the squid wrote: »

Now for my next challenge

Any chance you can get ULSU to find out the full and detailed story in relation to what is happening to the grant for BTEA recipients?

I'm letting the dust settle on the civil servants, but from what I have heard from other sources within the University, BTEA will continue for those currently in receipt as normal. From September 2010 new BTEA recipients will not be eligible to draw down a grant. That is the situation as it stands today, however Budget 2011 may alter this.

mud wrote: »

Yep I'd love to know too.

From what I can find it seems I'll be ok as this applies to students entering the system in 2010, I would like it clarified though please*.

Cheers mud.

*I would also LOVE to see my grant soon but that's besides the point.

What grant authority are you dealing with?? The Governing Authority Access and Student Affairs Committee is currently investigating the issues around the delays for some students. Are you waiting on the 1st or 2nd payment, when did you receive confirmation of grant?

You can email that to me if you like. SUwelfare@ul.ie

mud

ninty9er wrote: »

I'm letting the dust settle on the civil servants, but from what I have heard from other sources within the University, BTEA will continue for those currently in receipt as normal. From September 2010 new BTEA recipients will not be eligible to draw down a grant. That is the situation as it stands today, however Budget 2011 may alter this.


What grant authority are you dealing with?? The Governing Authority Access and Student Affairs Committee is currently investigating the issues around the delays for some students. Are you waiting on the 1st or 2nd payment, when did you receive confirmation of grant?

You can email that to me if you like. SUwelfare@ul.ie

I'm dealing with Limerick CoCo. Had my application in well before the closing date. I've been ringing them on a weekly basis, all I hear is back-log back-log.

I appreciate that there's a back log but does it really take a month to give me final approval? (When I rang a month ago it was on the final approval desk, rang last week and it's still on the final approval desk)

I'm 12 grand under the threshold, and this is my first time going to 3rd level so it's pretty much a given that I'll get it. (i hope!)

Am literally living off beans and toast at the mo, Christmas is cancelled and there's been days when I couldn't afford the petrol to get in to college.

I'll send you a mail if/when I get final confirmation.

Cheers for replying though!

cson

Jesus all my joking about johnnies aside, I'll be calling into you for supplys any more Ninty - €5 for 3 in the SU! €5 for 3 rides.... :eek: you can get a similar deal in Prague if you know where to go, johnny included.... :pac:

Ah, spose its not bad for a lifetime supply though

alexcorb1991

cson wrote: »

Jesus all my joking about johnnies aside, I'll be calling into you for supplys any more Ninty - €5 for 3 in the SU! €5 for 3 rides.... :eek: you can get a similar deal in Prague if you know where to go, johnny included.... :pac:

Ah, spose its not bad for a lifetime supply though

I thought they were free and it was an unwritten rule you make a donation?

ninty9er

cson wrote: »

Jesus all my joking about johnnies aside, I'll be calling into you for supplys any more Ninty - €5 for 3 in the SU! €5 for 3 rides.... :eek: you can get a similar deal in Prague if you know where to go, johnny included.... :pac:

Ah, spose its not bad for a lifetime supply though

alexcorb1991 wrote: »

I thought they were free and it was an unwritten rule you make a donation?

He means in the machine upstairs I imagine. The Mojos are free with an "obligatory" donation. We've raised over €300 so far, so keep on truckin guys.

cson

Nah, the SU Spar - extortionate!

ninty9er

cson wrote: »

Nah, the SU Spar - extortionate!

They barely sell stock in 3 figures over an entire calendar year, not many people buy them.

cson

ninty9er wrote: »

They barely sell stock in 3 figures over an entire calendar year, not many people buy them.

Desperate times call for desperate measures...

DJCR

cson wrote: »

Desperate times call for desperate measures...

Yes but the poor health system!! http://archives.tcm.ie/irishexaminer/2009/09/04/story100115.asp:eek::eek::eek:

Look at what you've caused by asking for donations!!! :D:D:D

ninty9er

Can we keep it civil now.;)

ninty9er

As emailed to students who contacted me directly:

I have clarified with the Dept. of Education that those already in receipt of BTEA and Higher Ed. Grant will continue to receive both, albeit at the new lower rates for both. Changes to the structure apply to new entrants only.
The Student Service Charge will be covered once the means test for the grant is satisfied, regardless of whether the applicant chooses Higher Ed. Grant or BTEA.

Gael23

I will be starting first year in September and im almost sure that I will get BTEA. Will I get the registration fee paid still?

ninty9er

ryanf1 wrote: »

I will be starting first year in September and im almost sure that I will get BTEA. Will I get the registration fee paid still?

From what I've been told by the department, yes.

THEDUDEINWHITE

I was wondering is the Maintenance Grant paid out while we are off? Basically will I have it for Christmas!

ninty9er

P2 isn't ordinarily paid until January at the earliest.

THEDUDEINWHITE

Do you mean Part 2? If so I haven't received Part 1 yet?!

ninty9er

As Aoife has dropped a BUMP on her thread I may as well do the same for those of you that can't make it to the office.

D

JellyBeana

Hi Derek,

I wondering what the story was with signing on during summer months? I'm a 24 year old first year with 5 years worth of stamps built up. I'm getting a grant but it barely covers anything and I'm looking for part time work but I'm not hearing anything back about any jobs I've applied for. If the worst comes to the worst and I still don't have a job by the time second semester is finished would I be able to sign on for the summer seeing as technically I'm available for full time work for those three months?

Best of luck in the elections btw

ninty9er

JellyBeana wrote: »

Hi Derek,

I wondering what the story was with signing on during summer months? I'm a 24 year old first year with 5 years worth of stamps built up. I'm getting a grant but it barely covers anything and I'm looking for part time work but I'm not hearing anything back about any jobs I've applied for. If the worst comes to the worst and I still don't have a job by the time second semester is finished would I be able to sign on for the summer seeing as technically I'm available for full time work for those three months?

Best of luck in the elections btw

Unless you are in receipt of BTEA you generally can't sign on for the summer. This may differ for mature students so I will check it out and get back to you when I get a reply.

snazzy

Derek, I've a query I thought would be better addressed to you though I know it's not strictly to do with Welfare so I'll spoiler it in case anyone thinks it should be removed. This could just be horrible hearsay.

Talking to someone today and we were talking about who we had voted for and we both said we'd voted for you.
Then the other person said " That was before I found out what his supporters did in the Lodge last night."
So I asked what they meant and they said that apparently a group of your supporters surrounded Nick Ryan [or some of his supporters, not sure] and there was a bit of a scuffle.

Now I don't know the validity of this statement or their source and i didn't go saying it to anyone else but thought I'd mention it and find out the validity of this statement.

ninty9er

snazzy wrote: »

Derek, I've a query I thought would be better addressed to you though I know it's not strictly to do with Welfare so I'll spoiler it in case anyone thinks it should be removed. This could just be horrible hearsay.

Talking to someone today and we were talking about who we had voted for and we both said we'd voted for you.
Then the other person said " That was before I found out what his supporters did in the Lodge last night."
So I asked what they meant and they said that apparently a group of your supporters surrounded Nick Ryan [or some of his supporters, not sure] and there was a bit of a scuffle.

Now I don't know the validity of this statement or their source and i didn't go saying it to anyone else but thought I'd mention it and find out the validity of this statement.

I can't guarantee what did or didn't happen as I left the lodge shortly after 1:30, but I didn't hear anything this morning

Concy

ninty9er wrote: »

He means in the machine upstairs I imagine. The Mojos are free with an "obligatory" donation. We've raised over €300 so far, so keep on truckin guys.

It dispicable that students should have to contribute for these to a SU that recieves a serious amount of money every year. A friend of mine suggested that it happened to him and he was quite intimidated by the 'tapping of the jar'. This friend of mine is from a disadvantaged area in Dublin and said he actually didnt have the money to buy his own, hence he went to the SU to recieve them for "free".

Maybe our so called Welfare Officer might like to give a small fortune of his 26,000 salary instead of cash strapped students if he is so concerned about raising money??

ninty9er

What serious amount of money are you referring to? The SU budget comes from the University through the student service charge which a large portion of students are exempt from. The SU budget is not a Welfare issue.

sceptre

snazzy wrote: »

Derek, I've a query I thought would be better addressed to you though I know it's not strictly to do with Welfare so I'll spoiler it in case anyone thinks it should be removed. This could just be horrible hearsay.

Talking to someone today and we were talking about who we had voted for and we both said we'd voted for you.
Then the other person said " That was before I found out what his supporters did in the Lodge last night."
So I asked what they meant and they said that apparently a group of your supporters surrounded Nick Ryan [or some of his supporters, not sure] and there was a bit of a scuffle.

Now I don't know the validity of this statement or their source and i didn't go saying it to anyone else but thought I'd mention it and find out the validity of this statement.

I asked Nick Ryan about this specifically due to your post. He said it didn't happen and was definite about that. Another election rumour I'm afraid.

The election thread would have been a better place to ask about this as this thread is specifically for welfare queries. But to set your mind at ease, the horse's mouth said it definitely didn't happen.

Concy wrote: »

It dispicable that students should have to contribute for these to a SU that recieves a serious amount of money every year. A friend of mine suggested that it happened to him and he was quite intimidated by the 'tapping of the jar'. This friend of mine is from a disadvantaged area in Dublin and said he actually didnt have the money to buy his own, hence he went to the SU to recieve them for "free".

Maybe our so called Welfare Officer might like to give a small fortune of his 26,000 salary instead of cash strapped students if he is so concerned about raising money??

No hassle with you starting a new thread about the condom donations if you so choose as what you're doing is thread-spoiling. And you've got the wage amount of the SU officers wrong, I suggest correcting that in your new thread if for some reason you find it relevant there as this thread is specifically for welfare queries.

JellyBeana

Cheers to Sceptre for sorting that one out

Hi Derek,

I actually went to the social welfare office since I last posted to see what the story was with signing during summer months and apparently for mature students it's fine. It might depend on how many stamps you have built up and stuff but the lady I was talking to said we could claim for summer and maybe even Christmas and Easter although she's not totally sure about the last two. It's good to know though, it's not something I came across on either the irish welfare website or the CIC website.

Just thought I'd update ye incase anyone else had a similar query.

Msirishbell

Hi,

I'm applying for a grant for a postgrad in UL as a mature independent candidate. I graduated from my undergad in 2008. I have never applied for a grant before. Have you heard anything about the rule that saids you must have a break of at least 3 years before applying as an independent mature candidate. Its very confusing. Wondering does this apply to me as it refers to having previously been a dependent candidate but I've never applied for a grant. Any help much appreciated.

ninty9er

This is true. An independent mature candidate must have a 3 year gap between completeing their undergrad and beginning a postgrad.

If you've been unemployed for 9 months or more you can apply for Back to Education Allowance.

breedie

ninty9er wrote: »

Unless you are in receipt of BTEA you generally can't sign on for the summer. This may differ for mature students so I will check it out and get back to you when I get a reply.

If it's any help, I am/was a mature student and didn't have any trouble signing on every summer. You are available for work so you can sign. Summer only though.

ExamStresser

Hey there! Soon to be first year! I qualify for the HEAR scheme and am just wondering that if I'm not in receipt of a grant, is it true that access will pay my fees?

TheSpecialOne

Hows a going Derek,
Just about the registration fee i have applied to Limerick VEC for a grant this year last year i got it and they paid the Registration fee for me,im hoping they will do the same this year but as you know it may be a while before they get back to me.I was just wondering is it ok if i only pay the 72 euro and then wait and see if they will pay the 1,500.
Any feedback would be appreciate

CiaranMT

No specifically welfare-related but just wondering why there are two dates given for payment of fees (start of Sept and Jan)?

I'm heading on study abroad this semester and would just like to know if I can hold back payment of tuition fees until the Jan date?

Thanks in advance.

ninty9er

ExamStresser wrote: »

Hey there! Soon to be first year! I qualify for the HEAR scheme and am just wondering that if I'm not in receipt of a grant, is it true that access will pay my fees?

To my knowledge yes. However, you must apply for the grant yourself. Tuesday is the closing date, so get at LEAST the form in to the Council by then. I don't mean to scold you, but it is extremely late in the day to be asking a question like that. I know you may not have thought it was that important, but it is always better to ask asap. the form is available for download here

TheSpecialOne wrote: »

Hows a going Derek,
Just about the registration fee i have applied to Limerick VEC for a grant this year last year i got it and they paid the Registration fee for me,im hoping they will do the same this year but as you know it may be a while before they get back to me.I was just wondering is it ok if i only pay the 72 euro and then wait and see if they will pay the 1,500.
Any feedback would be appreciate

Yes, there is a form you can get in the shelves outside SAA and submit to the Fees Office stating that you are waiting for confirmation of your grant. I'm not even sure you need to do this as a 2nd year student.

CiaranMT wrote: »

No specifically welfare-related but just wondering why there are two dates given for payment of fees (start of Sept and Jan)?

I'm heading on study abroad this semester and would just like to know if I can hold back payment of tuition fees until the Jan date?

Thanks in advance.

This relates only to tuition fees unless something has changed and I haven't been told. If you do not qualify for free fees, you must still pay both, as fees are paid to the home institution in the case of study abroad.

ninty9er

Bump.

It's that time of year again when the issues start creeping.

Gazza1000

Hi Derek,
I have a query regarding BTEA which I hope you can help me with. I am a full-time mature student in UL. I am in receipt of BTEA and thankfully also a maintenance grant. My query relates to working part-time throughout the college year. Is there a limit on the amount of hours you can work per week? I've checked welfare.ie but can't find anything on this. Also, if there is a limit, is it per week or is it an average per week over the year?

Thanks for any help you can provide....

ninty9er

Hi Gazza1000,

There is no defined level of hours, and hours are irrelevant in terms of the grant.

I would suggest speaking with someone at your local Social Protection Office in relation to BTEA and working hours, but I will ask some of my colleagues in the other colleges if they have come across the query before.

Derek

ninty9er

Hey everyone. This is the response from the Fees Office in relation to fee demands sent out recently to students on a grant.

Hi Derek,

We have recently sent out demands to all students that have an outstanding fee balance. A lot of students are in receipt of grants but have failed to submit a copy of their award letter from the grant authority to the fees office so until they submit the award letter to us they are liable to the fee.

For students that have applied for the grant but have not yet been approved they can ignore the demand for the time being until a decision has been made. As soon as a decision has been made they either send us in a copy of their award letter or in the event that they don’t get the grant they will have to pay the fee then.