BTEA-changes- unclear situation, heeelp!

annaj

I must say that I'm seriously getting crazy. I am very worried and confused about my BTEA for this year.My case is:
I started First year out of 3 years-level 7 course last year-2012/2013 and after the first year I was granted a direct transfer into the second year on the 4-year-level 8 course-which is this year 2013/2014.
The was a huge case about my transfer to another course: I had appointments with the head of department and also lecturers, I had to catch up with some subjects that were on that difefrent course also and it took weeks to sort everything...
I also visited Welfare office several times in April and May to make sure that I can transfer my full BTEA into another course . As it was one of the most important conditions to me to change the course...
As my JA rate is normally reduced and this new budget brought in changes for new applicants I was worried that they would be paying me the reduced rate of my JA. However I was told that my payment wouldn't be changed and and would be the standard 188e weekly as I was still on old rules.
A few days ago I asked in Welfare office again if my payment would be the standard rate.I was told first:no It won't... :eek: then I was send to another person to talk to; she told yes, u re ok, u re on the higher rate. But Today I received 126 euros on my bank account....??? I'm so confused....?What the...? If I had stayed on the first course I undertook I would have been payed 188 weekly for three years, I changed and the course is only 1 year longer... and I will be paid 126 weekly....?I'm so confused...if I had known that I wouldn't have changed the course... Is it just this week and will they sort it out for me next week? I don't know what to do now cuz I asked them several times about my payment and it supposed to be the standard previous year rate!Anyone in the similar situation?

Balagan

annaj wrote: »

I must say that I'm seriously getting crazy. I am very worried and confused about my BTEA for this year.My case is:
I started First year out of 3 years-level 7 course last year-2012/2013 and after the first year I was granted a direct transfer into the second year on the 4-year-level 8 course-which is this year 2013/2014.
The was a huge case about my transfer to another course: I had appointments with the head of department and also lecturers, I had to catch up with some subjects that were on that difefrent course also and it took weeks to sort everything...
I also visited Welfare office several times in April and May to make sure that I can transfer my full BTEA into another course . As it was one of the most important conditions to me to change the course...
As my JA rate is normally reduced and this new budget brought in changes for new applicants I was worried that they would be paying me the reduced rate of my JA. However I was told that my payment wouldn't be changed and and would be the standard 188e weekly as I was still on old rules.
A few days ago I asked in Welfare office again if my payment would be the standard rate.I was told first:no It won't... :eek: then I was send to another person to talk to; she told yes, u re ok, u re on the higher rate. But Today I received 126 euros on my bank account....??? I'm so confused....?What the...? If I had stayed on the first course I undertook I would have been payed 188 weekly for three years, I changed and the course is only 1 year longer... and I will be paid 126 weekly....?I'm so confused...if I had known that I wouldn't have changed the course... Is it just this week and will they sort it out for me next week? I don't know what to do now cuz I asked them several times about my payment and it supposed to be the standard previous year rate!Anyone in the similar situation?

Could be that it's payment for less than the full week - especially if €126 was not the reduced payment you were on during the Summer. If you can, wait till next week and see how much you get then and if not the full €188 you will need to go back to the SW office. If it is a mistake they will refund you since you are entitled to full amount as you are not a new entrant to BTEA.

annaj

Normally I actually receive 126,40 weekly.
I went to the Welfare office cuz I couldn't wait till next week to be honest... And yes, I will be getting the full rate in a few weeks, they said that it can take a few weeks until I receive my standard rate of BTEA.So I'm so glad!And it means that the course change doesn't affect my BTEA rate at all.
To everyone who isn't sure about their BTEA payments!
To everyone who aren't sure if the budget 2013 affect their payments:
BTEA is paid as a full standard rate for everyone who was engaged in BTEA before January 2013 and continue their BTEA, even eg: if their changed their courses (but they still progress on their courses ,of course)

rob w

annaj wrote: »

Normally I actually receive 126,40 weekly.
I went to the Welfare office cuz I couldn't wait till next week to be honest... And yes, I will be getting the full rate in a few weeks, they said that it can take a few weeks until I receive my standard rate of BTEA.So I'm so glad!And it means that the course change doesn't affect my BTEA rate at all.
To everyone who isn't sure about their BTEA payments!
To everyone who aren't sure if the budget 2013 affect their payments:
BTEA is paid as a full standard rate for everyone who was engaged in BTEA before January 2013 and continue their BTEA, even eg: if their changed their courses (but they still progress on their courses ,of course)

I hope this is the case.....i was in the same boat as you, changed courses to a level 8. Had been on btea for two years at 188e a week.

Have had a nightmare of a summer trying to find out if ill be accepted back on to the btea. Which i thought i got all sorted this week.

But now ive just received a letter stating my personal rate is 84.50e a week. And i only got paid 33.80e (i.e. 2 days at that rate). I just called my SW officer and she said the rate will go back up and that letter i received was only auto generated by their system. But I hope shes right, because I wont survive on 84.50e a week! Life is stressful enough already without having to deal with this over and over!

annaj

rob w, I still didn't receive my full rate, 126,40 on my bank account again.I was In Welfare Office and they say I'l be on the standard rate but I'm a little anxious now, over two weeks and I'm getting reduced rate, I'm getting really nervous...
Did you receive your yet?

confuseddotcom

So, anyone starting out in Third-Level now, who are trying to better their lives with little/no job prospects available, will now, since January 2013 onwards, be getting €126.40 instead of €188.00 each week, is that what I'm to take away from this Thread?


/shockedifthisistrue

Sephiroth_dude

I still haven't been switched over and I'm due to sign on tomorrow and I dunno if I meant to seeing as I didn't receive the txt,I hope I'll be the full rate,this is all very confusing and head wrecking tbh.

rob w

I finally got mine sorted, back to the same rate as last year but thats because im continuing on the scheme!! So I cant speak for anyone who is new this year!

They are very hard to deal with and get information, but I have found from experience that you just have to ring, ring and ring the phone until they answer may take a long time.....and once you get to talk to someone get their name and always ask for them when you call. Thats how I managed to get mine sorted out if that helps!

Hope you all get sorted!

Annasopra

confuseddotcom wrote: »

So, anyone starting out in Third-Level now, who are trying to better their lives with little/no job prospects available, will now, since January 2013 onwards, be getting €126.40 instead of €188.00 each week, is that what I'm to take away from this Thread?


/shockedifthisistrue

No - it depends - people under 25 will be maxed upto 160

annaj

I pass Welfare office when I go to college so I went there again, they didn't even check my pps only said that I have to wait, because they still deal with BTEA and I'll get the money back when they sort everything... If I call them will they tell me when I will start receiving it? Or they don't tell people this information?