Mistake in regards to "change in circumstances" on grant forms

JenniFurr

I've applied to Waterford City VEC for three years in a row, each year has had an adverse change in circumstances. This year my father changed social welfare payments and earned a little more this year so it would be labelled a "positive change in circumstances". I made this known to the grants officer in June when I handed in my forms. Then I read this on studentfinance.ie

"Positive change in circumstances since 31st December 2009 will not affect eligibility to grant aid in the 2010-11 academic year. However, eligibility to grant aid in subsequent academic years will be based on income to the 31st December of the year prior to renewal of grant aid."

link: http://www.studentfinance.ie/mp9522/change-of-circumstances/index.html

Last year I got a full non-adjacent rate with the special rate. This year I've been awarded a full non-adjacent rate without the special rate. Now after reading the above statement I think there's something gone awry there and I'd like to know if my thoughts are justified. Last year the cut off for the special rate was approx. €22300, this year it's €22700 so it can't be said that the amount to qualify has been reduced.

I've tried calling my VEC several times but they haven't answered once and I'm living in Dublin at the moment so I'm unable to just walk into them and ask as easily as I would like. Can anyone help me shed some light on this?

swervymervy

havin similar problems with my daughters application have been told that i must be receiving a qualified benefit on the 31st december . receiving it for 45 weeks of the year means nothing

p28559

JenniFurr wrote: »

I've applied to Waterford City VEC for three years in a row, each year has had an adverse change in circumstances. This year my father changed social welfare payments and earned a little more this year so it would be labelled a "positive change in circumstances". I made this known to the grants officer in June when I handed in my forms. Then I read this on studentfinance.ie

"Positive change in circumstances since 31st December 2009 will not affect eligibility to grant aid in the 2010-11 academic year. However, eligibility to grant aid in subsequent academic years will be based on income to the 31st December of the year prior to renewal of grant aid."

link: http://www.studentfinance.ie/mp9522/change-of-circumstances/index.html

Last year I got a full non-adjacent rate with the special rate. This year I've been awarded a full non-adjacent rate without the special rate. Now after reading the above statement I think there's something gone awry there and I'd like to know if my thoughts are justified. Last year the cut off for the special rate was approx. €22300, this year it's €22700 so it can't be said that the amount to qualify has been reduced.

I've tried calling my VEC several times but they haven't answered once and I'm living in Dublin at the moment so I'm unable to just walk into them and ask as easily as I would like. Can anyone help me shed some light on this?

changing from one social welfare rate to another isnt a positive change in circumstances. going from social welfare to a full time job and earning 2 or 3 times as much is a positive change in circumstances.

maybe they just ticked the wrong box......

Annasopra

you could probably appeal it to see if you can get the top up