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Deferring college, am I eligible for social welfare?

  • 24-11-2011 4:20pm
    #1
    creative100
    Closed Accounts Posts: 61 ✭✭


    Hello everyone,

    I have a lot of problems at the moment in my life and have had for a long time.

    I should have took some advice before September and deferred for the year.

    This is now possible for me to do, but I have one installment of the VEC grant at the moment, unspent. Can I keep this and save it for next academic year when I go back?

    Can I go on the dole and also save some of it?

    I'll have to pay registration fees I think.

    Thank you all.


Comments

  • #2
    creative100
    Closed Accounts Posts: 61 ✭✭creative100


    The more I think of it, the more I worry about the grant. Would it be wrong if I kept signing for it and saved it for next year? Or do I return the money and put it off till next year? . If anyone can help me out I'd greatly appreciate it.


  • #3
    LegacyUser
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 166,012 ✭✭✭✭LegacyUser


    Hey Creative,
    I was in a similar situation to you last year when I deferred my college course, and I applied for Job Seekers and I got it. You will need the letter you got from the college stating you deferred which you will hand in with your JSA application among other things.

    As for the grant, I don't think you should be getting both when you sign on.


  • #4
    Jambo221
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 206 ✭✭Jambo221


    Depending on what college you are in, if you withdraw from the course before a certain date you don't have to pay the registration fee. Even if that date has past, you'd only have to pay half the fees. I think for most colleges, if not all, it's the 30th of November.

    I think you will have to return the grant money, or else you won't be eligible next year, best got onto the VEC and ask them. You can definitely apply for Jobseeker's Allowance provided you meet the requirements.


  • #5
    creative100
    Closed Accounts Posts: 61 ✭✭creative100


    Many thanks for your replies guys. Another quick question, does depression (spanning three years or more) qualify one for disability allowance?


  • #6
    saa
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,194 ✭✭✭saa


    creative100 wrote: »
    Many thanks for your replies guys. Another quick question, does depression (spanning three years or more) qualify one for disability allowance?

    I think you keep the first grant payment and then when you go back you only get the second and third payment.

    I think if you are/have been in hospital for it that helps or at least lots of documentation back up from your doctor and counselor/psychiatrist but I also get the feeling it is a long process to prove your disability as in not prove you have been depressed for a long time but prove how that prevents you from working as its a spectrum thing and most people work with depression so its showing how bad it is and in what ways it affects you life, they might also see that you've achieved a degree and question how you can do this with depression but not find work, harsh I know but they seem to be especially from listening to the video below.
    here is a related thread
    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055998156

    I know this is in the US but its interesting to hear what this woman came up against with the bureaucracy of claiming disability allowance for mental health, it is ridiculous if a child has a behavioral problem they might not even get help unless they are a danger to themselves or others ugh.

    Might be easier to get JSA as soon as you can because its temporary but keep collecting evidence for a longer term claim after you finish your course.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5q_BIEgMkA&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL


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  • #7
    Simtech
    Closed Accounts Posts: 294 ✭✭Simtech


    creative100 wrote: »
    Many thanks for your replies guys. Another quick question, does depression (spanning three years or more) qualify one for disability allowance?

    You go on Illness Benefit first. You can be on that for two years. GO to the colleges doctor and tell them the story. Get your deferral from the college and a letter stating their position with fees for when you go back. Go to your G.P. then and give them the run down.


  • #8
    little.midget
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11 ✭little.midget


    Simtech wrote: »
    creative100 wrote: »
    Many thanks for your replies guys. Another quick question, does depression (spanning three years or more) qualify one for disability allowance?

    You go on Illness Benefit first. You can be on that for two years. GO to the colleges doctor and tell them the story. Get your deferral from the college and a letter stating their position with fees for when you go back. Go to your G.P. then and give them the run down.
    I am deferring semester two of my masters until next January, can anyone tell me whether I will be eligible for jobseekers allowance or not?!


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