Back to Education Allowance

chris445

I have been claiming JSA for almost 8 months now and the way things are going in the industry I work it doesn't look like I will have a secure job anytime in the near future. I have recently applied as a mature student to third level education and would like to go on the back to education allowance scheme. I have read up on it and it says that you must be claiming JSA/JSB for 9 months beforehand.

I have 2 questions about this. The first is, when do I inform the welfare office that I intend to partake in the scheme. Should I tell them ASAP or wait until nearer the time?

My old boss has also told me that he may have a contract coming up in the next month and there is a possibility that there could be 4-6 weeks work for me if I wanted it. Would this affect my chances of claiming BTEA, as it would mean I would have to sign off and sign back on again the following month?

Sue Ellen

You do need to be signing for 234 days(which is 9 months continuosly). If you get work and sign off the new claim will link back to the old one ( if it within 6 months for JB or 12 months for JA) so the claim days will pick up where they left off. If the course is starting in Sept/Oct I would say apply in June/July even if you don't have approval of the place a decision can be given that you qualify for the BTEA on the basis of your application.

If you are only going to be working for 4-6 weeks you can have your claim suspended for up to 8 weeks then you wouldn't have to wait for a new decison when you finish thet work . You would need to provide a P45 or a letter from the employer with the start and finish date of the work.

chris445

Thanks for the reply. That's a weight off my mind now.

bri007

I have been unemployed for two years, I might of got a job for 11-22 hours a week max. I want to go back to college in September, would this jobs affect me getting the back to education in September?