A Few Questions....

ConfusedGuy92

Just incase these relate to the questions, I'll post a few details. I was in college in the 2009/2010 year but dropped out after the first year. I am 19 and live with my parents. I signed onto JSA in November 2010, and recieved it in May 2011. I receive €41 per week.

Ok, onto the questions.

1. My parents are pressuring me to move out since my brother reciently did. I have been told vague things about rent allowance, and that my JSA will go up closer to the €100 mark if I do move out. Can anyone go into more details regarding this?

2. I want to sign up to FAS. I think that in my spare time, I may aswell be studying something. Can I sign up to FAS online and take the courses that way? I dont have alot of PC access so I'll just ask here quickly instead of running around the website FAQs. I was also told that you get paid to do FAS courses, but that's not really important, although the incentive would obviously go up.

3. I was told that after a year of unemployment, I can go back to college on a grant. I was not entitled to any of the grant when I first went to college, which is mainly the reason I left. Is it true that I will at some stage be entitled to some form of grant as a result of my time on welfare? Does my age of 19 come into play there as I suspect that it does?

4. Am I entitled to a medical card? And if so how do I obtain one?

If anyone could reply it would be really appretiated. Danke, das ist sehr gut.

Techno_Toaster

Ok, to answer your questions..

1. My parents are pressuring me to move out since my brother reciently did. I have been told vague things about rent allowance, and that my JSA will go up closer to the €100 mark if I do move out. Can anyone go into more details regarding this?

If your living out of home yes you are entitled to more. Your no longer living with you parents and therefore are no longer seen as dependant on them. However you do need to have valid reasons as to why you moved out and you may need to satisfy some sort of length out of home. I'm not 100% sure but the main thing is yes you will be entitled to more.

As regards rent allowance you need to be living on your own for 6 months before you can apply for it and also rent must be within a certain amount every month. If you need more information contact me.

2. I want to sign up to FAS. I think that in my spare time, I may aswell be studying something. Can I sign up to FAS online and take the courses that way? I dont have alot of PC access so I'll just ask here quickly instead of running around the website FAQs. I was also told that you get paid to do FAS courses, but that's not really important, although the incentive would obviously go up.


No you can't sign up online or sign onto any course online or over the telephone. You go in meet with a development officer and they sign you onto the course. They do have courses online but I've heard of a few people caught out with not receiveing certificates for courses they did online. Go into Fas, sign on with them and arrange a meeting. They will help you find a course.

As regards payments, yes it goes up and by a lot. Even if you are living at home your entitled to a rate of about 188 euros a week. Fas courses are an incentive alone for the money but also because your always furthering your qualifications. If you find one in your local town sign onto it, the ones in classrooms are interesting and it's an opportunity to meet new people.

3. I was told that after a year of unemployment, I can go back to college on a grant. I was not entitled to any of the grant when I first went to college, which is mainly the reason I left. Is it true that I will at some stage be entitled to some form of grant as a result of my time on welfare? Does my age of 19 come into play there as I suspect that it does?

Yes after a year of unemployment or it may be 18 months, it depends you do get paid to go back to college. The scheme is called back to education (BTEA). It's not a grant as such it just means you can retain your jobseekers allowance while in college if you satisfy the means which you should. The age limit is 18 i think so your grand.

4. Am I entitled to a medical card? And if so how do I obtain one?

Now this is a tough one. My brother was in the same boat as you, he's 18 living at home and on 61 euro a week. Now it says on the medical form that if you are dependent on yourself you are entitled to one. Technically you are as you are in receipt of Social Welfare. However I rang to double check with the local medical card Department and they informed me as my brother was on a reduced payment because of my parents income he may not get it. He could apply but ultimately it would be up to the deciding officer. Apply anyway it's no harm. Go to medicalcard.ie or your local health board should have forms.


I hope this helps any further questions don't hesitate to contact me.

ConfusedGuy92

Thanks yeah this all helps loads. In like an hour I have to sign on in the social welfare office so I'll just verify the rent allowance thing to make sure. I don't see why the money actually goes up to such a considerabley higher amount just for signing onto FAS, but who will complain? I dont see why everyone doesent do that. I can understand people just not bothering with a job, but if it goes up so dramatically just for a big of schooling, to not do it is complete laziness.

But yeah thanks again, because of your post I can get myself a bit of a plan together to get back to college. I can start a FAS course, and then move out when I can afterwards, get a drivers lisence, maybe get a car and then persue going back to college.

I live in Kells, Co. Meath. Is the local Department Officer in Navan do you know? I keep being told that there is something in locallity but it isnt on their website.

And again thanks, really appretiated.

Techno_Toaster

You have to be on a course to get the money increase not just sign onto fas. Courses can be tough to get so keep checking the fas website and as soon as you see something you like or may be interested get in and get your name down. Its first come, first served generally and sometimes there are entrance exams that can form a basis.

Ideally you'd be better off getting on a long course a 23 week one or longer while you are at home. If you saved 70% of what you get you'd have a nice little nest egg to get you started.

Social Welfare don't deal with rent allowance again it's your local Community Welfare Officer (CWO). They are located in your local health board and only operate on certain days. Social Welfare can tell you more or ask in your Local Health Board.

ConfusedGuy92 wrote: »

I live in Kells, Co. Meath. Is the local Department Officer in Navan do you know? I keep being told that there is something in locallity but it isnt on their website.

A local department officer for what?

ConfusedGuy92

Yeah I'd intend on doing the corses anyways. I still intend down the line to go to college, so I'm not sure if the courses will have actual long term help, but I'd just feel a lot better about myself if I knew I was learning something and getting an actual qualification of some time that I could throw on the CV. I'd probably just start off with any general course. I'd probably save more than 70% so I'd hope that afterwards I can maybe be driving or be a little further to getting backup money for college.

Yeah I think I know where my CWO is. I had a lot of people telling me to go to him while I had a 6month wait for my JSA so I think I have all the information on him.

I think that last comment was in reference to the place I would register with FAS. I have been told that there is something in my town but on the website it just says Navan. Do you just walk in and ask to register or would I need to make an appointment or something?

mw3guc

You would need to have a read of the following - at 19, if you are hoping for a BTEA third level place, you won't qualify for a few years yet, unfortunately.

From http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/back_to_education/back_to_education_allowance.html

To qualify for the Back to Education Allowance, you must be at least 21 years of age (24 years of age for a third-level postgraduate course).



For exceptions to the age limit - see below.
If you wish to attend a second level course you must be getting one of the social welfare payments listed below for at least 3 months (78 days of unemployment*) immediately before you start the course.
If you wish to attend a third level course you must be getting one of the social welfare payments listed below for 9 months (234 days of unemployment*) immediately before you start the course.
*If you are getting a jobseeker's payment, each day you are unemployed, except Sunday, is counted as a day of unemployment.
Qualifying social welfare payments are:

• Jobseeker's Allowance or Jobseeker's Benefit
• Farm Assist
• One-Parent Family Payment
• Deserted Wife's Benefit/Allowance
• Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Contributory) Pension
• Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Non-Contributory) Pension
• Prisoners Wife's Allowance
• Carer's Allowance

ConfusedGuy92

Yeah I think I had a read of that when I first left college. The age thing was always a problem so I was surprised when people kept telling me to go for it and stuff.

Heres the plan...

I have found a FAS Course which is close enough to me and everything. I will go and register tommorow. I phoned up and they said that I would have to wait until August to sign for some reason, but if I have a course in mind I can go at 9:30am tommorow...sucks lol. Once I am on the FAS course, does anyone know how I go about getting the increase in money? I don't really want to ask FAS tha question as I'll seem like a dick who only cares about the money, and I actually do really want to learn something, but if you do get an increase in money, that'd surley be happibly received lol. Can only tell me how I go about that?

ConfusedGuy92

http://jobseeker.fas.ie/Default.aspx?q=B+fomdowzS8kaDnSlUDk12wruxcZtLQqM8tuoafee6fXTK89BE5H+vKRxNITUibphvgr0NCstPnI5X0b1x11pPRcpbpFPQhhCF68dZMYeIclqNO2NPbOC/h8+k9I67dpU3HNRx4/wKF9VouhBQmOy44NQ5GxkOlx2WQ/U/a/2hBy9xxhKgRWv0G6lA+zF4c3dEaDpXMm+SDKCWiEH8FhL+97cjs8uRcozXxuG19jwMrF3V0zzUkO1lK4RBtfvayHTT0S8eHQxcSmdQwFHVHuHE5ZEFN8ti/AzrFgUBFxDzT+BXfR/cOQy+jUrf2/2nSHJwXfQr5khHPTb9vQLLPe+QxO2mKQJ+jzgRZ5VAnkFI4sqGQ3dpOZ4S2F5Ob5QhLaalHUPfOxW6GwqHuAg5Il5lbjYW0RnEIbFy8QW8yW1etoCGUHKlAafx+/7CkjyLOqFOrdrI7gheKqkYT8GP/Qa0Bc/cDXw6ev

(F'd up links FAS used aint it?)

Anyways, it's a 43-Week Part-Time Course for a FETAC Lv. 4 Major Award. I'm just posting this to make sure that thism course would be eligable for the increase in money ('sall about the $$$ now aint it? lol). I was basically looking for a long enough course which is in my locality and had something to do with computers, and luckily, mission success. Should be easy as anything because I found a Level 7 course pretty handy.

Techno_Toaster

ConfusedGuy92 wrote: »

Yeah I think I had a read of that when I first left college. The age thing was always a problem so I was surprised when people kept telling me to go for it and stuff.

Heres the plan...

I have found a FAS Course which is close enough to me and everything. I will go and register tommorow. I phoned up and they said that I would have to wait until August to sign for some reason, but if I have a course in mind I can go at 9:30am tommorow...sucks lol. Once I am on the FAS course, does anyone know how I go about getting the increase in money? I don't really want to ask FAS tha question as I'll seem like a dick who only cares about the money, and I actually do really want to learn something, but if you do get an increase in money, that'd surley be happibly received lol. Can only tell me how I go about that?

Relax dear. The increase comes automatically. On your first day of the course you fill out a form and they will tell you how much your entitled to or should anyway.

ConfusedGuy92 wrote: »

http://jobseeker.fas.ie/Default.aspx?q=B+fomdowzS8kaDnSlUDk12wruxcZtLQqM8tuoafee6fXTK89BE5H+vKRxNITUibphvgr0NCstPnI5X0b1x11pPRcpbpFPQhhCF68dZMYeIclqNO2NPbOC/h8+k9I67dpU3HNRx4/wKF9VouhBQmOy44NQ5GxkOlx2WQ/U/a/2hBy9xxhKgRWv0G6lA+zF4c3dEaDpXMm+SDKCWiEH8FhL+97cjs8uRcozXxuG19jwMrF3V0zzUkO1lK4RBtfvayHTT0S8eHQxcSmdQwFHVHuHE5ZEFN8ti/AzrFgUBFxDzT+BXfR/cOQy+jUrf2/2nSHJwXfQr5khHPTb9vQLLPe+QxO2mKQJ+jzgRZ5VAnkFI4sqGQ3dpOZ4S2F5Ob5QhLaalHUPfOxW6GwqHuAg5Il5lbjYW0RnEIbFy8QW8yW1etoCGUHKlAafx+/7CkjyLOqFOrdrI7gheKqkYT8GP/Qa0Bc/cDXw6ev

(F'd up links FAS used aint it?)

Anyways, it's a 43-Week Part-Time Course for a FETAC Lv. 4 Major Award. I'm just posting this to make sure that thism course would be eligable for the increase in money ('sall about the $$$ now aint it? lol). I was basically looking for a long enough course which is in my locality and had something to do with computers, and luckily, mission success. Should be easy as anything because I found a Level 7 course pretty handy.

That's a part time course so only part time rates apply. The most you will get a week for that is 108.20 instead of the 188 along with whatever means and travel allowance your entitled to. http://www.fas.ie/en/Allowances+and+Grants/Training+Allowances/default.htm

Techno_Toaster

mw3guc wrote: »

You would need to have a read of the following - at 19, if you are hoping for a BTEA third level place, you won't qualify for a few years yet, unfortunately.

From http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/back_to_education/back_to_education_allowance.html

To qualify for the Back to Education Allowance, you must be at least 21 years of age (24 years of age for a third-level postgraduate course).



For exceptions to the age limit - see below.
If you wish to attend a second level course you must be getting one of the social welfare payments listed below for at least 3 months (78 days of unemployment*) immediately before you start the course.
If you wish to attend a third level course you must be getting one of the social welfare payments listed below for 9 months (234 days of unemployment*) immediately before you start the course.
*If you are getting a jobseeker's payment, each day you are unemployed, except Sunday, is counted as a day of unemployment.
Qualifying social welfare payments are:

• Jobseeker's Allowance or Jobseeker's Benefit
• Farm Assist
• One-Parent Family Payment
• Deserted Wife's Benefit/Allowance
• Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Contributory) Pension
• Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Non-Contributory) Pension
• Prisoners Wife's Allowance
• Carer's Allowance

People probably said go for it because age doesn't matter once you've been claiming JSA for 9 months. You can still go back to college just ensure you meet the criteria of the 9 months.

mw3guc

AFAIK, there may be an additional problem if you've already completed a part of a third level course already. BTEA normally applies to first years only, so that's another complication that you will need to investigate.

Techno_Toaster

mw3guc wrote: »

AFAIK, there may be an additional problem if you've already completed a part of a third level course already. BTEA normally applies to first years only, so that's another complication that you will need to investigate.

My friend had completed part of a course without BTEA and was then accepted for it 2 years later. She's on it at the minute with no problem but no harm to check I guess

mw3guc

Techno_Toaster wrote: »

My friend had completed part of a course without BTEA and was then accepted for it 2 years later. She's on it at the minute with no problem but no harm to check I guess

Yes, I believe there's something about a minimum 2 year interval - also, I've heard (not sure) that passing/failing the entire first year exams may have an impact? I think the OP said he passed all of them which, ironically, may not be in his favour unless he is following through on his original course? Something else that needs investigating ...

ConfusedGuy92

mw3guc wrote: »

Yes, I believe there's something about a minimum 2 year interval - also, I've heard (not sure) that passing/failing the entire first year exams may have an impact? I think the OP said he passed all of them which, ironically, may not be in his favour unless he is following through on his original course? Something else that needs investigating ...

Well I failed one of the subjects, so technically I guess I never completed the year. I could have retook it and I got like 30% with 2/5 of the notes required, so I can only assume that since I had obtained the right stuff, I would have passed easy enough.

Okay, this whole Part-Time thing makes it a little more difficult as I would want a full time course. I have found another suitable course for me but it starts on the 4th of July. I'm going to send an email to the course email thingy and see if they will accept me into it if I apply a little later than the start date.

ConfusedGuy92

So heres the details of what I'm planning. From my name, you can probably get that I'm often confused, so I could have got something wrong along the way, so if someone could point out any stupidity, it would be much appretiated (I think I spelled ironic words wrong.....no need to point them out as stupidity).

Anyways...

I have emailed a full-time course to ask if I can apply late. Assuming that I can, I will do it, and as a result of me being on JSA, I should get €188.
With the €188 being saved, I will move out of my parents house.
After 6 months of moving out, I will be able to apply for rent allowance, which I shall do.
I will probably take up another course as the first will most likley have finished by then, but I will continue the learning and stuff.
I will apply for a grant (may aswell) and BTEA. I will probably be 20years old when I do this, I will have been on JSA 1 and a half years, and will have been out of work/education for around 2 years (unless I get a proper job, which I will still be consistantly looking, although Ive been looking for a year as it is...).

Tell me if I'm stupid at any point, besides in general.

Yeah...I'm pretty much the waster who has ambitions. Pretty stupid that someone can welfare themself through like this, no wonder the countries in ****e eh?

Techno_Toaster

ConfusedGuy92 wrote: »

So heres the details of what I'm planning. From my name, you can probably get that I'm often confused, so I could have got something wrong along the way, so if someone could point out any stupidity, it would be much appretiated (I think I spelled ironic words wrong.....no need to point them out as stupidity).

Anyways...

I have emailed a full-time course to ask if I can apply late. Assuming that I can, I will do it, and as a result of me being on JSA, I should get €188.
With the €188 being saved, I will move out of my parents house.
After 6 months of moving out, I will be able to apply for rent allowance, which I shall do.
I will probably take up another course as the first will most likley have finished by then, but I will continue the learning and stuff.
I will apply for a grant (may aswell) and BTEA. I will probably be 20years old when I do this, I will have been on JSA 1 and a half years, and will have been out of work/education for around 2 years (unless I get a proper job, which I will still be consistantly looking, although Ive been looking for a year as it is...).

Tell me if I'm stupid at any point, besides in general.

Yeah...I'm pretty much the waster who has ambitions. Pretty stupid that someone can welfare themself through like this, no wonder the countries in ****e eh?

You may get on the course you may not either way put down your name but don't limit yourself if you don't get that course what will you do next. Keep checking and checking and checking the fas website remember depending on demand it's first come first served!!!!


Excellant idea as regards the saving. Keep it up and you'll be sorted.

saa

ConfusedGuy92 wrote: »

and that my JSA will go up closer to the €100 mark if I do move out. .

And how can you realistically sustain your house hold on 100 a week?
between rent, bills, food, travel, entertainment, savings, incidentals etc. 100 doesnt come close I know because that's what Im on

living on my own trying to put myself through college paying all those above costs plus paying for college on 100 a week...

youre better off staying in your parents until you can get into a course or a job by next year. You need your parents but I understand they need their space, would they help you out with a work abroad visa maybe it would get you out of the house and vital work experience and savings

ConfusedGuy92

saa wrote: »

And how can you realistically sustain your house hold on 100 a week?
between rent, bills, food, travel, entertainment, savings, incidentals etc. 100 doesnt come close I know because that's what Im on

living on my own trying to put myself through college paying all those above costs plus paying for college on 100 a week...

youre better off staying in your parents until you can get into a course or a job by next year. You need your parents but I understand they need their space, would they help you out with a work abroad visa maybe it would get you out of the house and vital work experience and savings

Well I think I could survive on €100 pretty easily, but I'd probably be looking to get into a course beforehand anyways because all of this is just temporary things intended for me to save enough to get back to college, so just getting by seems like a waste of time.

Working abroad is another thing. As by the username and the thread, you can see I know NOTHING. I moved here when I was young, so my parents too know NOTHING. I still am not 100% sure on the basic routines of being on the JSA, and I have just got to grips with my plan of action for now. Things like working abroad seems like more confusing and complixated things which will result in me messing my own head up even more, despite the fact that working abroad would just be the best option by far.

Techno_Toaster

ConfusedGuy92 wrote: »

Well I think I could survive on €100 pretty easily, but I'd probably be looking to get into a course beforehand anyways because all of this is just temporary things intended for me to save enough to get back to college, so just getting by seems like a waste of time.

Working abroad is another thing. As by the username and the thread, you can see I know NOTHING. I moved here when I was young, so my parents too know NOTHING. I still am not 100% sure on the basic routines of being on the JSA, and I have just got to grips with my plan of action for now. Things like working abroad seems like more confusing and complixated things which will result in me messing my own head up even more, despite the fact that working abroad would just be the best option by far.

If you ever need help just mail me. I've been where you are so mail me.I would be happy to help you as much as I could:)

ConfusedGuy92

Thanks I really appretiate that.

Well, I think my appointment at FAS is on either the 12th or 14th. I'll sign with them and then try and get them to get me into an ECDL computing course, which I know is rididculously easy, and it's a full time course so it should tick all the boxes for me just now.