Transferring from illness benefit to JSA

whambam

Hi all,

Just looking for a bit of advice. I went out sick from my job due to stress related illness and have been on illness benefit since june. A lot of the stress I suffered was due to my job and I cannot return to it.

Now I want to move on with my life and retrain for a more suitable career. I understand i will have to transfer to JSA if I want to do a course. However if I leave my job will I be penalised on the Social Welfare?

Any advice appreciated.

Thanks.

mrsbyrne

Stay on Illness Benefit. If you declare youself fit for work and do not return to your existing job, you will probably disqualify yourself from JSB possibly for 9 weeks. Then, if you get JSB you will then lose it again when you start doing the course as you will not be "looking for work"
http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/unemployed_people/jobseekers_benefit.html
(See the rules part)
Write to Illness Benefit and ask them for permission to attend the course. Include a letter from your GP stating that in his opinion the course would be rehabilitative for you, together with details of the course. Dont start any course until you hear back from Illness Benefit.
if you don't intend to ever return to your previous employment, you should send them your written notice, per your contract of employment. Leaving your employment will not affect your entitlement to Illness Benefit. however, sooner or later you can expect to be called to a SW medical review.

whambam

Thanks for your reply mrsbyrne. I looked that up on Social Welfare site and it says that only in certain limited circumstances can you go back to education while on illness benefit.

Wonder what those circumstances are?

whambam

BTW I am also on One Parent Family payment. This is one of the qualifying payments for receiving BTEA. I wonder if this would make a difference?

mrsbyrne

whambam wrote: »

BTW I am also on One Parent Family payment. This is one of the qualifying payments for receiving BTEA. I wonder if this would make a difference?

ok Wamban, So your on OPFP and 1/2 rate IB? The BTEA is really of no financial benefit to you, apart from the 500 Euro cost of education allowance (one off payment).
Ring your local VEC asap and enquire if, even though the deadline has passed, you may apply for a educational grant. Youll have to be quick here.

I dont know if you could hold on to the 1/2 rate IB as well, you would certainly have to get permission, you should ring them tomorrow, or go to your closest CIC and ask their help. Be sure to tell them you are also on OPFP.
If you cant find correct phone numbers, get back on tell me roughly where you are and I'll find them for you. Its getting quite late for enrolement this term.:eek:

whambam

Thanks again for your reply mrsbyrne. I am in the sligo area. I would really appreciate it if you had those numbers. I will definetely contact IB and VEC.
The course is full time although only SLO so I don't know what my chances would be of getting an examption.

mrsbyrne

Illness benefit
Locall:
1890 928 400
have your PPSN handy.

Co. Sligo VEC
071 91 45025

Best of Luck.