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Part Time Degree/ Social Welfare

  • 31-01-2015 5:39pm
    #1
    Liquidchild
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 33 ✭


    Hi all :-)
    Ive recently been made redundant and Im thinking of doing a part time degree course in D.I.T (8 hours a week) I was wondering are you still legally allowed to claim social welfare benefit whilst studying part time? I dont see why not as 8 hours isnt much, but I presume they want to catch you out anyway they can. Any info is great, Cheers!


Comments

  • #2
    PCX
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 433 ✭✭PCX


    It is possible to claim benefits while studying part time as long as you are still actively looking for work and are willing to take a job offered to you.

    More details and how to apply can be found here...
    http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Part-Time-Education-Option.aspx


  • #3
    Liquidchild
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 33 ✭Liquidchild


    The problem is, I'm kind of weary of getting in contact with them as they will stop your benefits at the SLIGHTEST complication. And its that reason Its just easier to say nothing and keep quiet. This country doesnt seem to like people bettering themselves.


  • #4
    Halloween Jack
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,658 ✭✭✭Halloween Jack


    Liquidchild wrote: »
    The problem is, I'm kind of weary of getting in contact with them as they will stop your benefits at the SLIGHTEST complication. And its that reason Its just easier to say nothing and keep quiet. This country doesnt seem to like people bettering themselves.

    No they won't. Just provide documentary evidence the course is part time. This country is happy to pay you unemployment benefit/allowance once you meet the qualifying conditions.

    If you didn't plan to inform your local office in the first place why did you bother asking the question in the first place?


  • #5
    KMPT
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 58 ✭✭KMPT


    Liquidchild you will need your PPSN when you apply and register for your course so there is no way to hide it. Enquire and see if you can study on the payments you are receiving. They are usually happy to advise people who want to do something. I remember how disappointed I was when I found out my course was level 9 so I couldn't do it full time and keep my rent allowance. I was gutted and withdrew my application. The lady took the form and my number and she called me before I even left the parking lot. She had to be sure she was giving me the correct information. She ended up calling me three times to sort it out, she didn't have to. I was happy I could do the course part time without affecting my rent allowance. So, find the course you want and go in and talk to them. If you can't do it without losing a payment then you are either going to give up the payment and do the course or do it anyway and get caught. Because they will know.


  • #6
    Liquidchild
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 33 ✭Liquidchild


    @HalloweenJack Its not that I dont want to inform them, I said I was "weary" that doesn't imply I wouldnt tell them. its simply I cant afford the risk of having them stopping it. Which they do, hence why I started this thread to see have people come up against it


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  • #7
    Liquidchild
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 33 ✭Liquidchild


    @KMPT Cheers mate, I was thinking that alright. Another website says part time education and claiming social welfare is acceptable, it seems a very shaded area, it should be explained better.


  • #8
    PCX
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 433 ✭✭PCX


    I found myself out of work for a while in 2013 and had to claim welfare. I was already doing a part time degree at the time.

    I had no trouble claiming and the person I dealt with in the office was very helpful. I didn't get the impression that they were looking for an excuse to deny my claim at all.

    If I were you I'd apply for the course and if I got a place I'd make an appointment at the dole office and tell them you plan to do the course part-time while looking for work if you can keep your benefits.

    In my experience its up to the 'deciding officer' ie the person you'll be talking to at the dole office. If you convince them you can work at the same time and the course increases your job prospects then you are set.

    If they tell you that you can't do the particular course and keep claiming then you can reassess your options.

    I'd imagine the worst case senario is you'd risk losing all benefits immediately and possibly get a bill for the payments you had received while studying if you don't tell them. Not a risk I personally would be willing to take.


  • #9
    Halloween Jack
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,658 ✭✭✭Halloween Jack


    Liquidchild wrote: »
    @HalloweenJack Its not that I dont want to inform them, I said I was "weary" that doesn't imply I wouldnt tell them. its simply I cant afford the risk of having them stopping it. Which they do, hence why I started this thread to see have people come up against it

    Fair enough, but I can 100% tell you you are elligible for ja/jb while pursuing a part-time course of study.

    You will however be required to sign on and go to the post office as normal


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