BTEA continuing on

Bubblegum19

Hi

So i got onto the btea last year as a new applicant but didnt get btea until the 1st of October.
I had all the documents sent in ect. but it was a backlog on their side.

I phoned the local SW today and was told that the same could happen this year, but I was hoping id get it pretty much straight away as I filled out a form in May that im continuing on in college. All I was told today was to get a letter from the college and send it in to the local socail welfare. They will send it into the main place that deals with btea in Ballina.

I expected a bit of a delay last year due to a new application. Anyone with experience going into 2nd year on btea in the Ballina region experience delays? I remember last year id an awful time with them they wouldn't even answer their phone to me half the time. The local SW told me they couldnt do anything as it was sent away to the btea section. Im going sending in my college registration letter off to the local sw Monday.

Any insight would be welcomed in particular the Mayo area!

eastbono

With you continuing on I cant see why there should be a problem. Are you going on to year 2 of a course or is it a progression i.e. did you do a level 5 last year and now progressing to a level 6

Bubblegum19

Even less complicated than that! Im a level 7 going into second year, they granted btea last year alrite but they were awful slow paying it into my account but like I said I pretty much expected that as I was a first applicant.

Im just wondering does anyone in my position know are they faster the second time around?

hadepsx

Cant help you but if you don't mind me asking was there a few weeks where you got no pay from when you first applied. Or did you still get job seekers all the way up before btea payment.

Bubblegum19

Well I started back the 7th of September and didnt get btea until 1st Oct. I was gettin JSA and even had to sign on while I was at college. Now I had the form in since August so it was ridiculous tbh. And I was told id get the arrears back on it I was owed 180 in arrears I only got 140.

hadepsx

But at least you were getting some money. I'm afraid of being left with nothing while waiting for btea,if I get the course.
As regards to the arrears if it was the other way around they would get every cent.

Bubblegum19

Dont worry u wwill still get ur money but will haave to go into the post office to get it, and more than likely have to sign on at the end of september, which is crazy. I felt last year tthey were setting me up to fail. and yes I couldnt agree with you more about the money they wouldnt be long taking it off you. Its so fustrting because I had all the forms in on time and correctly. But im not expecting any improvement this year expect it to be October.

ShaShaBear

Bubblegum19 wrote: »

Dont worry u wwill still get ur money but will haave to go into the post office to get it, and more than likely have to sign on at the end of september, which is crazy. I felt last year tthey were setting me up to fail. and yes I couldnt agree with you more about the money they wouldnt be long taking it off you. Its so fustrting because I had all the forms in on time and correctly. But im not expecting any improvement this year expect it to be October.

For the record, I was usually waiting a few weeks for my payment to change all four of the years I was in college. Small price to pay for being able to get a degree on Social Welfare

I simply asked if my payment could be switched to a PO close to my college (not in the town I registered my claim in) and they did it without issue. Also informed them that I was attending college, and they told me not to worry about signing on. Sometimes you have to go into them in person to get the information you want.

Bubblegum19

Anyone who has to have there BTEA application sent in and reviewed in Ballina theres only 2 people over that section and they are both gone on their holidays for two weeks. I was into my local SW yesterday to hand in my college letter, and they said they cant tell me when I will get payment through due to them being away

Firefox11

I am currently applying for the part time BTEA but have not received the course details yet from the college yet and the social welfare site seems to be down this morning? Anyone else having problems?

Bubblegum19

Does anyone know the max amount of days you can work part time and still get btea? is btea cut off if your working 4 days? (not 8 hour days) like in the evening time for a few hours? Any advice welcome

eastbono

When you are on BTEA it wont matter about how many days you work. Your means from employment will be assessed against your claim. When you come off BTEA then if you work 4 days per week you wont get anything.

Bubblegum19

Oh rite, thanks so much thats good 2 know