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BTWEA Appeals process

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  • 19-05-2013 7:53pm
    #1
    xia
    Registered Users Posts: 1,079 ✭✭✭


    I was on the BTWEA scheme from 02/11 to 02/13 and am still running my business.
    But I decided about a year ago that I need to upskill if I want to make my business really work and did a college course in addition from 09/12 to 05/13. It was a attendance morning course only and due to the nature of my business I could continue working full-time on my business plus attending the course (tough and I wouldn't recommend it but I managed).

    In March of this year this somehow came up with social welfare and as the course was considered being a full-time course (despite attendance in the morning only) it was decided I wasn't entitled to my payments from 09/12 to 02/13.

    The form used was a standard one for JS benefit / allowance and stated I can appeal the decision with the appeals office.

    As I never did much more than what we did in the mornings for college and run the business for the rest of my time I appealed but now had to learn that the appeals office doesn't deal with BTWEA as it's not a statutory payment.

    So I'm back to Social Welfare where I'll go next week. I did talk to someone dealing with BTWEA applications before my appeal but she wasn't familiar at all with such a situation.

    Does any of you have experience with such a constellation? Is it even possible to appeal a decision re BTWEA?

    I'm a bit afraid that it might be tricky to find the person to talk to - unless I can talk to the decision officer. So any help is appreciated.

    (I am aware that you can't do a full-time course while on BTWEA but to me this particular one wasn't full time for me and I never treated it as such so don't want to give up too easily)

    Thanks!


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    #2
    cee_jay
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators Posts: 7,920 Mod ✭✭✭✭cee_jay


    It doesn't matter you only attended mornings only, or you didn't treat it like a full time course - it depends on what the college classifies it at.
    Is it a full or part time course on their brochure/prospectus?


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    #3
    xia
    Registered Users Posts: 1,079 ✭✭✭xia


    It is classified / considered as a full-time course but I got a confirmation from them that the course is layed out in a way to accomodate family or work commitments...


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    #4
    cee_jay
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators Posts: 7,920 Mod ✭✭✭✭cee_jay


    The appeal will be looked at by a deciding officer in the local office. You can post it or drop it into the BTW section of your office. However, as it was classed as a full time course this will probably be unsuccessful.


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    #5
    xia
    Registered Users Posts: 1,079 ✭✭✭xia


    Ah. Thank you! At least I know now that I can appeal it.

    Yeah, I know I have only slim hope in this, but when I was talking to the BTWEA officer before I sent in my appeal to the appeals office she seemed to support and understand my decision in doing this course. Plus I have a good confirmation from my mentor that there was never any doubt about me running a business while on the course.

    I went through quite a bit over the last few months juggling everything so I want to try everything possible...

    Thanks again for your help and advice.


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