Missing a signing on/collecting benefit day to do a course?

effluent

Hi all, this is bit of a strange one

I'm looking to do a few short courses that will help my cv/employability, but as it happens a lot of these courses are held on or during a Tuesday and they are not held in my locality, so it would be impossible for me to sign on in the post office or SW office/be here on time.

I would make sure I'm here to sign on in the social welfare office, but what about collecting payment from the post office? When I first signed on I missed my first payment because I was out of the country (job interview) and got a letter in the post within a few days telling me to go into the SW office and explain why I couldn't collect the payment, even though I told them in advance I wouldn't be in the country. I understand that the only acceptable reasons for missing a payment collection is if you are outside the country or if you are ill, would undertaking a course be an acceptable reason for missing a day?

These are credited/certified courses and I can show proof. What can I do here?

goldenhoarde

they (approved courses) should be fine but you will need to let the SW know the dates and that you are doing courses so that they can change the collection day for said payments or leave the payment in the PO for more than one day

BTW make sure you get proof for each course that you attend in case of issues.