JB to JA and courses

Uptheduff

I have been on JB since being made redundant last summer. No luck finding a job yet unfortunately. I am being encouraged by Intreo to do a full time course. The one Im being put on is fairly basic and well below my skill level but it was suggested that when my JB runs out I'll be on a lower rate unless I accept the course.

There are a few part time and evening courses that could be of benefit to me but I get the impression that I can only retain the rate Im on now if I commit to a full time course. Is this accurate?

Plugguy

Uptheduff wrote: »

I have been on JB since being made redundant last summer. No luck finding a job yet unfortunately. I am being encouraged by Intreo to do a full time course. The one Im being put on is fairly basic and well below my skill level but it was suggested that when my JB runs out I'll be on a lower rate unless I accept the course.

There are a few part time and evening courses that could be of benefit to me but I get the impression that I can only retain the rate Im on now if I commit to a full time course. Is this accurate?

Since 1 January 2015 you no longer qualify for BTEA when your Jobseeker’s Benefit ends – after 6 or 9 months. You must qualify for another payment to continue to get BTEA. See here http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/back_to_education/back_to_education_allowance.html#l62fd2

I think this means that when your JB runs out you will re-qualify for BTEA through your entitlement to JA. I think this also means that your rate of BTEA will equal the amount of JA that you would be entitled to....You should phone your citizens information office and ask them.

Cherry Blossom

I think the OP is talking about the training allowance paid by the Education & Training Board for level 5 & 6 courses not BTEA.

Op if this is what you mean, then yes the ETB pays your weekly money at what ever rate you are on when you start the course for the duration of the course. When the course finishes you go back on JB until your stamps run out. JA is means tested so the amount you get on JA depends on your individual circumstances.

Uptheduff

Your right Cherry Blossom, it's a level 5 VTOS course, not back to education. It's related to an area I've worked in for 10 years, so I don't think I'd be learning anything I don't already know. I feel like my time would be better spent elsewhere but I can't afford to have my payment reduced. I'm wondering if doing a more useful part time or evening course would negate the rate reduction when I am means tested for JA or is taking the full time course the only way to stay on my current rate?

Cherry Blossom

No the schemes don't pay a training allowance for part time or evening courses. You just stay on whatever payment you are entitled to from social welfare in that case.