JSB to JSA Queries

RelaxBoy

My JSB runs out September 1st or 2nd week. Have completed and returned JSA forms(in August) but have heard nothing from SW yet. ?

I've had several meetings with a case study officer to determine that I am actively seeking work. I am getting interviews nearly every 2 weeks.

Recently I decided to do a plc course as have been unsuccessful in so many interviews, and had an interview for this course last week. I know I am now too late to apply for BTEA but is there any form of payment I can get as I cannot afford the course fees ??
ALSO:
I still only a have temp 'yellow' card for collecting my money weekly, I was asked to produce a birth cert to receive a dole card with picture which I did and when it came in post I rang to register and they still got my D.O.B wrong despite me providing this and actually photocopying the birth cert when I visited local office. I was particularly p*ssed off about this, and have left it til now to go and give my birth cert again and apply for a new pic card. I know when I'm there they will sign a new temp card for me, possibly lasting a while, so I can't be arsed registering the card at all!
If I let them know about the course (don't know if I have been accepted or not yet) will this speed up my approval for JSA, or affect it !.?

Cushie Butterfield

What makes you say that you are too late to apply for BTEA?

If you are getting Jobseeker's Allowance (JA) or Jobseeker's Benefit (JB), you must transfer to BTEA to keep a social welfare payment (including secondary benefits) during full-time education. The reason for this is that you cannot be genuinely available for and seeking employment when participating in full-time education.

If you qualify for the Back to Education Allowance, you can keep your entitlement to any secondary benefits you already have, for example, Fuel Allowance, Rent Supplement and Mortgage Interest Supplement. Paid work will not affect your BTEA payment but any extra income could affect your secondary benefits.

Once you transfer from JA or JB to the BTEA, you are not eligible for the maintenance component of the student grant but you can apply for a fee grant – covering the student contribution, field trip costs and fees (if payable) under the student grant scheme. You should do this as soon as possible.

If you are doing a Post-Leaving Certificate (PLC) course and getting the BTEA or a VTOS allowance you are exempt from the student participant charge (€200). You may have to pay a course charge for books, exam fees and other costs.


http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/back_to_education/social_welfare_payments_and_the_student_maintenance_grant_for_the_2010_11_academic_year.html


When you are accepted on a course, you should notify the Department of Social Protection by filling in the Back to Education Allowance application form (pdf), which is also available from your social welfare local office. From June 2014 all new BTEA claims must be recommended and approved by a DSP Case Officer before you start the course.

You must get written confirmation that you are registered as a full-time day student from the college registrar or admission officer. You will not get payment of BTEA until you give this confirmation letter to the Department of Social Protection.


You must apply for BTEA before starting an approved course. A late application will be accepted if there is a good reason for it being late and it is received by the relevant section in the Department within 30 days of the course starting.


You should return your application form to your social welfare local office.


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

Speak to your Case Officer for further info.

RelaxBoy

Thanks for the info. Didn't get accepted on the course after, so my question now is my JSB payment is finished .I filled out and returned JSA forms weeks ago, and have heard nothing back from social welfare. Do you get notified of what your payments change to and if you are approved for JSA ? Or do you just go to the post office on your normal collection day and the payment will be there, but be less, possibly ?

Cushie Butterfield

You should be notified as to the decision on your JSA claim. The best thing for you to do so as you know exactly where you stand is to go down to your local social welfare office. They will be able to tell you when your JSB payment is due to finish & if any decision has been made on your JSA claim.

If it's the case that your JSB has run out & your JSA claim hasn't been decided upon ask them if & where you can apply for Supplementary Wefare Allowance until such a time that your JSA claim comes through.