DEnied BTEA what do i do now?????????

reverenddave · 07-09-2012 4:45pm #1

Hey all

i'm due to start a Level 5 PLC on monday but last night i recieved a letter from SW saying i'm not eligible for BTEA as i already have an equivalent (or higher qualification)
have been trying to contact local VTOS Co-Ordinator all day to no avail
has anyone any ideas ?????
i aint spending another year on the dole and nobody wants a carpenter anymore

ditzyfairy · 07-09-2012 5:15pm

I was refused for same reason last year there was no way around it

reverenddave · 07-09-2012 5:30pm

Not even applying for a VTOS grant????
Surely i would be eligible for this as a mature student with a practically defunct qualification ??? Would i ???

ditzyfairy · 07-09-2012 5:35pm

im not sure about VTOS but susi and btea will only give you grant if you're "progressing" to higher level no way you'll get if for a course of the same level if you completed the course.

last year i rang EVERYONE and was told i had to do a higher level to get any kind of support

reverenddave · 07-09-2012 6:05pm

But the qualification i already have is carpentry level 6

the course Im starting Monday is horticulture level 5

I already got approval from susi but realised id be cutting my "income" in half if i was to receive that grant

ditzyfairy · 07-09-2012 6:17pm

Yes but because you already have a level 6, doing a level 5 is taking a step back and to get BTEA/Grant you need to be moving up now down.
So for example last year I applied for level 5 but already had a level 6(which was no longer relevent because of lack of jobs) but I couldn't get either BTEA or Grant because i was getting a lower qualification that I already had

reverenddave · 07-09-2012 6:33pm

Crap.
Would it make a difference if i do the second year (which ill probably do anyway)
That is a level 6

And you said you didn't try VTOS ill have to keep trying them so on Monday

ditzyfairy · 07-09-2012 6:53pm

no they wont give it to you for a level you already have, you'll need to do level 7 or 8 to get a grant

no hard im trying VTOS but maybe have a look and see if there's a level 7 course you can get a last minute place on

ditzyfairy · 07-09-2012 6:56pm

not sure where you are but there are still places in Cork IT level 7 horticulture if thats any gd to you

Solair · 07-09-2012 6:58pm

That's a bit ridiculous when you consider people are trying to switch careers and move away from trades that may not be in demand at the moment.

Surely it should only apply if you're taking a step backwards in the same area...

reverenddave · 07-09-2012 7:21pm

ditzyfairy wrote: »

not sure where you are but there are still places in Cork IT level 7 horticulture if thats any gd to you

Im in cork but am doing one in kinsale simply because its just as good a course in half the time.
Also will be able to continue on the CIT one from year 3 if i choose to do so !!!

Callcollect · 07-09-2012 7:35pm

I was in this position last year, not entirely similar but I was refused BTEA because I was applying for a level 5 qualification when I already had one, I appealed the decision and got accepted. There is an appeals section available.
You should most definetly appeal the situation and (not to sound like a smartarse) don't just attend the appeal and say I need the course cause there's no jobs. Explain your entire situation and bring evidence that you are interested in following this career path due to the potential employment prospects.

Good luck

EDIT: Also state you will be doing nothing but receiving the same payment to look for work which you cannot find.

They still have a choice to accept you.

reverenddave · 07-09-2012 7:49pm

it says on the bottom of the letter

BTEA is a non-statutory scheme and therefore you cannot appeal a decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.....BLAH......BLAH.......BLAH....

there doesn't seem to be any sort of option to stand in front of someone to plea to

Callcollect · 07-09-2012 7:56pm

I denitely appealed mine along with others... I still have a pm I sent to someone over a year ago here to say that I got accepted. Its possible I read the word appeal when in fact it was re-reviewed by somebody at social welfare but there was a huge queue of people doing the same as I was so there is definetly a chance to speak to somebody about it, I also attached a letter with my entire situation written down.

reverenddave · 07-09-2012 8:07pm

Callcollect wrote: »

I denitely appealed mine along with others... I still have a pm I sent to someone over a year ago here to say that I got accepted. Its possible I read the word appeal when in fact it was re-reviewed by somebody at social welfare but there was a huge queue of people doing the same as I was so there is definetly a chance to speak to somebody about it, I also attached a letter with my entire situation written down.

i think i'll have to give that a go,
no other choice really

did you send a letter in or call in person ????????

Callcollect · 07-09-2012 8:23pm

After reading my old pm now I see I said i went to social welfare to speak with the deciding officer and they said you can have another officer review the information again and they will ask for any relevant information regarding your claim. I then got a date to come down and I met with somebody and explained my entire situation and gave them my letter and also a few things stapled to the letter to show how much employment is available in my sector that I'm aiming towards. They said I would receive a letter in a few weeks and I did saying I was accepted, they also said while the case is in review you can attend college and still collect your job seekers, if you are receiving it.

Let us know how it goes!
On a side note, if you're adventurous you could get your local TD to sign your letter (or write up his own) that would almost ensure acceptance.

reverenddave · 07-09-2012 8:29pm

Callcollect wrote: »

After reading my old pm now I see I said i went to social welfare to speak with the deciding officer and they said you can have another officer review the information again and they will ask for any relevant information regarding your claim. I then got a date to come down and I met with somebody and explained my entire situation and gave them my letter and also a few things stapled to the letter to show how much employment is available in my sector that I'm aiming towards. They said I would receive a letter in a few weeks and I did saying I was accepted, they also said while the case is in review you can attend college and still collect your job seekers, if you are receiving it.

Let us know how it goes!
On a side note, if you're adventurous you could get your local TD to sign your letter (or write up his own) that would almost ensure acceptance.

thanks so much

i'll definitely let you know cheers

i'll do this first thing in the morning i have a few friends who know some well respected local TD's

EDIT: make that monday morning :P

DEnied BTEA what do i do now?????????

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