returning to education and disability allowance

ricicle

Hi folks,

I've been on disability for 1 year and 2 months. I am thinking of applying to do a degree in Social Care, would I still hold on to my disability allowance? I don't know if it makes a difference but I already hold a masters degree and a degree. I'm unsure if I am up for it mentally (I have bipolar) but at least it wouldn't start until September which gives me some time to get my head together.

many thanks

R

Plugguy

ricicle wrote: »

Hi folks,

I've been on disability for 1 year and 2 months. I am thinking of applying to do a degree in Social Care, would I still hold on to my disability allowance? I don't know if it makes a difference but I already hold a masters degree and a degree. I'm unsure if I am up for it mentally (I have bipolar) but at least it wouldn't start until September which gives me some time to get my head together.

many thanks

R

I think you may not qualify for BTEA as you need to progress in your level of education, Citizens Information website says that "All courses must lead to a Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) accreditation (these include FETAC or HETAC awards) or equivalent. You must also progress in educational qualifications. For example, if you already have a Level 6 qualification on the National Framework of Qualifications, the course you attend must be for at least a Level 7 qualification".

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

I am not an expert by any means so please contact your social Welfare office or Citizens Information Centre, they will be more than happy to help you.

njs030

Yes you can be in education while getting DA but you'll have to pay for it yourself as the poster above said you won't qualify for BTEA.

You will have to let sw know that you're starting education.

Owryan

Fwiw, i am on DA and am in college. Had to notify the da section before i applied and luckily enough they gave me the ok.

With a master's already you probably won't qualify for free fees or a grant unless you didn't get either first time around. If all you have now is DA then you might.

ricicle

Thanks all for the responses. Owryan did you have to go on BTEA or were you just kept on the disability payment?

Owryan

ricicle wrote: »

Thanks all for the responses. Owryan did you have to go on BTEA or were you just kept on the disability payment?

Kept my da and was able to get the maintenance grant on top of it.

I'm doing Social Care, only issue i had was getting the ok to do placements due to the reason i was on da.

ricicle

Owryan wrote: »

Kept my da and was able to get the maintenance grant on top of it.

I'm doing Social Care, only issue i had was getting the ok to do placements due to the reason i was on da.

Great thanks for the info, will you recieve da for the full duration of the course?

ricicle

Owryan wrote: »

Kept my da and was able to get the maintenance grant on top of it.

I'm doing Social Care, only issue i had was getting the ok to do placements due to the reason i was on da.

Sorry for all the questions but did you get to keep your travel pass and medical card?

Also are you doing Social Care in IT Tallaght or DIT, what are the hours like? I've applied to both.

Owryan

ricicle wrote: »

Sorry for all the questions but did you get to keep your travel pass and medical card?

Also are you doing Social Care in IT Tallaght or DIT, what are the hours like? I've applied to both.

Yes, yes, no, in Carlow. No ideas about hours