BTEA & Work

Helpneeded86

Ok as part of my study i have work placement which may be paid.

I understand im allowed work while getting BTEA and the work placement is a crucial part of the course.

My question is the work placement is for 8 months will i receive the BTEA for 8 months as this is the length of the Work exp.

2 Hell and Back

Helpneeded86 wrote: »

Ok as part of my study i have work placement which may be paid.

I understand im allowed work while getting BTEA and the work placement is a crucial part of the course.

My question is the work placement is for 8 months will i receive the BTEA for 8 months as this is the length of the Work exp.

You should send them a letter letting them know, that will cover you. Keep a copy of it.

If it runs into the summer months you might have to get a letter from the college stating that the work experience is a vital part of the course.

Helpneeded86

2 Hell and Back wrote: »

You should send them a letter letting them know, that will cover you. Keep a copy of it.

If it runs into the summer months you might have to get a letter from the college stating that the work experience is a vital part of the course.

I dont see any reason to notify them the terms are pretty clear that you can work while on BTEA.

The question i have is will i still receive it during the summer. I am relocating for the placement and my costs are way more than that of attending college.

While it is technically payed it will not be min wage and will bring more hardship on me.

id love to hear of someone in a similar situation.

Balagan

Yes, as you mention, you can work during the academic year while on BTEA.
If your work placement as an essential part of your studies extends into the summer during which you would not normally be in receipt of BTEA you need to inform the Dept of Social Protection in advance and produce written evidence that such a work placement is coming up in order for the Dept to continue your BTEA payment.

In circumstances where BTEA participants have to, as an integral or compulsory part of their course of study, undertake a period of work placement/experience or a thesis, the allowance will continue in payment for this period. The participant must supply written evidence from the Registrars’ Office/Admissions Office or Student Records Office of the school/college/institution confirming this and the start and completion date. Work placement after the completion of a FIT course is not covered.
http://www.welfare.ie/en/operationalguidelines/pages/bte_all.aspx

Back to Education Allowance is paid in the same way as your current social welfare payment. It is paid for the duration of the course. If you were previously getting a jobseeker's payment, you do not get the Back to Education Allowance during the summer period between academic years. However, you can apply for Jobseeker's Benefit or Jobseeker's Allowance if you meet the qualifying conditions. You may get BTEA during the summer if you are on work placement or work experience that is an essential part of your course.
http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/back_to_education/back_to_education_allowance.html

Helpneeded86

The "may" part is interesting as there is very little to define what may is.