Leaving job to go on SW to benefit college next year

dartboardio

Hi,

I currently work full time and am planning to return to college in September 2020.

When I return to college, I will be hopefully receiving the SUSI grant, which will be means tested on my parent, last time this happened, I received €135 euros per month, and was working 2 little part time jobs to get some pocket money.


So when I return to college I will be on a very low income if I don't get a job or two.

I see on the citizens advice website, to qualify for BTEA you have to be 21 or over and on a qualifying SW payment for 9 months prior to applying for BTEA

So technically, if I left my job right now for example or in the next few months, and went on SW for the remainder of the year until I plan to go to college, I would then qualify for BTEA and get in or around 180 euros a week when I return to college?

* I know it is stupid to leave a job, but surely it's a good idea if that's how it's going to benefit me next year when returning to college? *

It sounds like a good idea to me, any advice people?

Bikerman2019

I was on job seekers allowance and went back to college. It is correct, you need to be on it for 9 months to move to BTEA. I got full fees paid by SUSI. On my course, I need electrical components and accordingly, I get a back to college grant of 500 euro, each september, to help pay for bits and pieces. I requested a meeting with SW to confirm what I thought, and they sat down with me and confirmed that, by september, I would be eligable for all of this.

They were very helpful and I am now looking at year 3 of a degree. The only issue I notice is you are talking about leaving your job to go on welfare. This may be an issue for them. Just be aware of that.

dartboardio

Bikerman2019 wrote: »

I was on job seekers allowance and went back to college. It is correct, you need to be on it for 9 months to move to BTEA. I got full fees paid by SUSI. On my course, I need electrical components and accordingly, I get a back to college grant of 500 euro, each september, to help pay for bits and pieces. I requested a meeting with SW to confirm what I thought, and they sat down with me and confirmed that, by september, I would be eligable for all of this.

They were very helpful and I am now looking at year 3 of a degree. The only issue I notice is you are talking about leaving your job to go on welfare. This may be an issue for them. Just be aware of that.

Thanks for the reply!

Yeah I suppose if I was going to do it and leave my job I'd have to think of a reason as to why, rather than saying 'I'm going on the dole because then I'll be entitled to BTEA when I return to college next year'


Although is there a little loophole, I see you only need to be on SW for 3 months for a second level course , is that like a PLC?

So technically I could go on SW for 3 months, go do a PLC and get BTEA for a year then by the time the following september comes around I'd be on it for over 9 months so would be entitled to BTEA for third level.

I might sound like a lazy so and so or whatever but not necessarily, just trying to see what i'm entitled to, and if i return to college can enjoy college and being a student rather than running around to crappy night time bar jobs at awful hours..

Sleeper12

If you leave the job rather than get let go you don't qualify for job speakers for (I think) 9 weeks

Do your research before committing. There’s plenty info here. Note that you have to be progressing. If you’ve already done a year at college, then you may not be eligible to start another course from scratch. https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/back_to_education/back_to_education_allowance.html

Bikerman2019

I dont think you can leave your job without sanctions from SW. However, if you were let go, there would not be an issue.


Perhaps you could contact them and say you fear you are going to be let go, would you be eligable to go back to college.


I wasnt 9 months when I spoke to them, but they had the foresight to tell me BY SEPTEMBER, I would be. In two years back in college, the only correspondence I have had with them is a single letter asking for a letter from college to confirm I am attending, and then a letter in June telling me I am now finished college and back on Jobseekers and I should be looking for work.


I met them squarely, even sent them my results, and they leave me alone. Happy days !


(Now just to pray I passed the resit maths exam)

Eire Go Brach

I got refused BTEA. Basically said eligible to get a job. They won’t like you leaving a job to study. You have to be available to work is the way they see it. So make something up. Then apply for courses.

I’d imagine my circumstances where quite different. I was made redundant after 18 years. Decided to change career and done loads of course towards that. Then decided to go to third level. BTEA was refused. Only got half the fees for susi. My partner also had a good job. I was effectively using the the unemployment system to upskill.

Just something to be aware off.