FAS question

RichardAnd

I hope this is the right board to post this in. If not, I apologise.

I'm due to be let go at the end of the month, sadly. Though there are some jobs in my area, finding one will take time and rather than waiting about, I've decided to do a FAS course. Thankfully, I've found one that's well suited to my background which would also be very helpful in the search for employment down the line. The thing is, I've never done a FAS course nor have I any experience of the social welfare system, thus I have a few questions.

1. It's my understanding that to do a FAS course, I need to register with FAS. Would I also have to sign on as unemployed in addition to this or is FAS registration a separate affair?
2. I know FAS course come with an allowance. Is this allowance paid into my bank account or is it collected as the dole would be.
3. Again, with regard to allowances, would I have to sign on in a similar manner to being on the dole each month?

I'd be grateful for any answers. Thanks lads

wmpdd3

First register with fas, then immediatly sign on for jsa / jsb. Then speak to fas as there are massive waiting lists for some courses.

gustafo

i thought you had to be unemployed for a length of time before you can do a fas course? maybe i'm wrong.

stacexD

I think you have to be unemployed for 3 months before doing a course, could be wrong. But register with fas straight away.

You need to qualify for a social welfare payment to get an allowance for fas.
It is paid into your bank account (you have to do a week in hand too)
You don't need to sign on, just turn up on time and don't cause trouble, or else you'll get docked!

eastbono

gustafo wrote: »

i thought you had to be unemployed for a length of time before you can do a fas course? maybe i'm wrong.

You have to be on the live register to avail of a *free fas course*. If your not on the live register you have to pay for the course. Plus if you are not on the live register you may be deemed ineligible for the course.

RichardAnd

Thanks for the replies lads, questions answered

Balagan

Could we get clarity on whether or not there is a qualifying waiting period after signing on for SW payments and registering with Fás before one can apply for a free Fás course?

deelite

Balagan wrote: »

Could we get clarity on whether or not there is a qualifying waiting period after signing on for SW payments and registering with Fás before one can apply for a free Fás course?

I'm nearly positive to be eligible for Social Welfare you need to sign on with FAS as this shows you are actively seeking employment. Also afaik you need to be in receipt of unemployment benefit/assistance for at least six months to get a FAS course, VTOS, BTEA. However as FAS and the Social Welfare have become one the correct information is harder to find...

Balagan

deelite wrote: »

I'm nearly positive to be eligible for Social Welfare you need to sign on with FAS as this shows you are actively seeking employment. Also afaik you need to be in receipt of unemployment benefit/assistance for at least six months to get a FAS course, VTOS, BTEA. However as FAS and the Social Welfare have become one the correct information is harder to find...

The qualifying period for VTOS is 6 months,
BTEA is 3 months for Second Level, 9 months for Third Level,
JobBridge Internships is 3 months
but I can't find anywhere on the Fás site or Citizens Information site http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/education/vocational_education_and_training/fas_training_programmes_and_supports/fas_training_courses.html where it states that there is a waiting period before one could apply for a Fás course. If there isn't a qualifying period set down, perhaps it is because there is no specific qualifying period?

It would be good to have a link to back up any information re a qualifying period and, indeed, a link to back up all info on Fás courses eligibility.