Back to Education Allowance No Decision Yet - Starting course in 2 days time

rebel fighter

I've been unemployed for a year and a bit now and am still on Supplementary Welfare Allowance as I'm waiting for a decision on JSA. My course is starting on Wednesday and I have recieved no decision from social welfare on a decision on my application for the back to education allowance. What should I do.

endasmail

go into them and sort it out
nearly the same position myself
I was told because im on supplementary im not entitled to do a vtos course
one hand doesnt know what the other is doing in there

maryk123

Go straight in today because you are not entitled to do a course on supplementary welfare allowance. it will be stopped and then you will have no payment. go in and ask for a manager anything.

rebel fighter

The Superintendant was unavailable over the phone all day, the secretary asked me to leave my name and number so he would call me back when he gets back at 5pm. So where was he all day? I've had no return call from him and I don't know what to do. Their very slow to help me but lightening fast when it comes to cutting off my claim. I'm angry and upset. I've been unemployed for over a year and here I have a chance to attend a course. My claim is awaiting decision of the recent means test (personal and financial interogation) and no decision has been made for my application for BTEA either. They are playing with me like a cat would play with a piece of wool.

LegacyUser

Hi there,

To qualify for BTEA, you must me in receipt of a Social Welfare Payment for a minimum of 6 months before you apply and right up until you start your course. Supplementary welfare does not count as a social welfare payment as it is paid by the HSE.

How long have you been waiting to be placed on allowance? Try your local office again and in person. if this does not work email qcis@welfare.ie and complain. however you really really need to get moving on this.

endasmail

MelodyChins wrote: »

Hi there,

To qualify for BTEA, you must me in receipt of a Social Welfare Payment for a minimum of 6 months before you apply and right up until you start your course. Supplementary welfare does not count as a social welfare payment as it is paid by the HSE.

How long have you been waiting to be placed on allowance? Try your local office again and in person. if this does not work email qcis@welfare.ie and complain. however you really really need to get moving on this.

am i wrong in saying that time spent on supplementary welfare qualifies you for eligibility for BTEA or Vtos

mp22

Time spent on Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) or on direct provision can count towards the qualifying period for BTEA. This applies only if you establish an entitlement to a qualifying social welfare payment immediately before you start your approved course of study.

From here http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/back_to_education/back_to_education_allowance.html

LegacyUser

mp22 wrote: »

Time spent on Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) or on direct provision can count towards the qualifying period for BTEA. This applies only if you establish an entitlement to a qualifying social welfare payment immediately before you start your approved course of study.

From here http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/back_to_education/back_to_education_allowance.html

Exactly. You wont get BTEA at the moment as you are on supplementary. You have to get them to put you on allowance, fast. im going to assume from your name that you are from Cork and are applying through there. The waiting time to be assessed for UA is ridiculous in Cork. I was waiting seven months. I would really recommend emailing the email address I gave you above. Everything was sorted out for me within a week of me emailing them.

rebel fighter

I don't want to say what County I am from for obvious reasons but its not Cork. I picked up the phone and made a few phone calls explaining the situation. I am being told that I can attend the course as my JSA is just about to be approved and the Back to Education will approve it fully then and in the meantime I can keep my rent allowance and weekly basic supplementary welfare payment. So I'm back to college and upskilling after 14 months of being on supplementary welfare and battling a system for my rightful entitlements since my business closed down. The lesson I learned was not go self employed if there is just the slightest chance of the business not working out. Thanks for your replies.

endasmail

good to hear ya got sorted
similar situation,have interview with social on wednesday

Euripides_

Hey guys, in slightly differnt situation, wondering if anyone can help. Returned to education last year, was in receipt of BTEA. went off for the summer and was told I was fine to apply for summer job and could work weekends once college restarted. My current problem is im now into my third week of college and still no word back from them!! Despite submitting written inquiries, and leaving multiple voice messages. Like nothing. Not even acknowlegment of my queries. All the secretary says is they are snowed under with the backlog. Surely if. I was already on it, I should be locked and loaded ready for september. What is going on like?

Basically money is getting very tight!!!

Anyone have any input?

Annasopra

jay_k wrote: »

Hey guys, in slightly differnt situation, wondering if anyone can help. Returned to education last year, was in receipt of BTEA. went off for the summer and was told I was fine to apply for summer job and could work weekends once college restarted. My current problem is im now into my third week of college and still no word back from them!! Despite submitting written inquiries, and leaving multiple voice messages. Like nothing. Not even acknowlegment of my queries. All the secretary says is they are snowed under with the backlog. Surely if. I was already on it, I should be locked and loaded ready for september. What is going on like?

Basically money is getting very tight!!!

Anyone have any input?

Can you call into the office?

allison d

Hi.....Ive been in college since 13th September and still no news for BTEA...is anyone else still waiting..? I am fed up of going to social welfare and calling. No one wants to help...:(