Distance learning and jobseekers benefit

gracelg

Hi, I hoping someone can help me here.

Basically, I work in an admin role and it is due to end soon. I started a childcare (ECCE) course QQI level 6 with chevron training a couple of months ago. I have done a couple of interviews with no success and basically the feedback I am getting is that they think I will leave once I have my childcare qualification and I cant work in a crèche etc without the ECCE qualification. I'm going to start leaving out that I'm doing the course in interviews and keep looking.

Anyways I'm basically looking for info incase I cant get anything soon and the bills still have to be paid. I should be entitled to jobseekers benefit as I have worked full time in the qualifying years. I'm worried how my online course will affect this. I was looking into BTEA - part time education option but can I apply for it straight off or would I have to be on JB/JA first? I really don't want to have to give up the course I am doing as I have already paid for it and hopefully it will help me get employment when done.

If anyone has any info on this I would appreciate it.

njs030

You can't go straight from employment to BTEA you need to be on JB//JA for a qualifying period first. The amount of time depends on if it's a second or third level qualification.

I think it has to be a full time course too starting at year one but I'm not 100% sure about that so you'd need to check.

You can look it up on welfare.ie

gracelg

I read about it on welfare.ie, it wont let me paste a link but this is some of what it says:

"The Part-Time Education Option is not the same as the Back to Education Allowance or the Education, Training and Development Option.
There are no specific eligibility criteria for the PTEO. You can be any age and may be unemployed for any length of time before starting a part-time course of education.
If you are getting Jobseeker’s Allowance or Jobseeker’s Benefit you may take up the Part-Time Education Option and continue to get your jobseeker’s payment. Your Intreo centre or social welfare local office must be satisfied that the course is likely to improve your chances of getting a job.

You must continue to satisfy the conditions of being available for and genuinely seeking work."


But I just cant seem to find anything about if you are already doing a course and become unemployed. It does mention somewhere that distance learning is covered.

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gracelg

OK thank you, I just needed some reassurance I suppose. I havent been able to get to the social welfare office as Im still working at the moment.

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gracelg

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I wasnt sure if it was something they would know about because I would have registered with my PPS number and also I will have to do 150hrs work experience at some stage too!

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gracelg

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Yeah will be done spread out, 2+ hours a week depending on how quick I want to do it. It cant be done in a block over a few weeks.

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