Part time course and benefits query

curlycarly

Hi everyone, I was made redundant 2 years ago after working my whole life. A few months before redundancy I started a course that will lead to self employment because I wanted a change of career. The course took place occasional Saturdays per month meaning that when i was made redundant it did not affect my ability to find/take up work. I was then referred to Seetec which was unpleasant but they were happy I was doing the course. At no stage over these 2 years has anyone queried the course. It has now finished and I will start full time work in July/Aug. But someone from Welfare.ie has just contacted me (they didnt even get my name right!) saying I needed permission to do the course in the first place and my benefits will be affected. Is this legal/above board? What can I do because I can't afford potentially 2 months without benefits

Pauliedragon

I'd pop into your nearest intreo office and talk to them. When I was on JS I was encouraged to do courses and was told my JS wouldn't be affected.

AugustRain

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058412120/part-time-course-and-benefits-query

Your jobseekers application form when you completed it, asked you, amongst other questions, if you were taking part in any educational courses.

You had to tick yes or no. That was your opportunity to inform SW that you were doing a course.
Seetec have now reported back to SW that you were doing this course.
The issue is not the fact that you were taking the course, the issue is that you didn’t answer that question honestly.
That would raise a red flag for them.

curlycarly

I have not been dishonest at all. When I applied for benefits initially, I included every detail that I was asked for. Why on earth would i hide something like that and then tell Seetec I was doing the course if I'm seemingly so dishonest?

Oh, and Seetec have known about this for 2 years. Why would they only tell Dept of Welfare now?

curlycarly

Thank you, yes this has been the attitude for past 2 years (ie praised for doing a course that will lead to guaranteed job, as my previous one was in an area that is now essentially done by AI for cheap). I'll pop into my Intreo tomorrow. Thanks again

AugustRain

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123497769#Comment_123497769

Once again, the JSB/A application asks if you are participating in any courses of education, and the details of the course.
I’m not accusing you of anything. It doesn’t matter to me. I’m just offering an explanation as to why they are now questioning your eligibility.

Dempo1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058412120/part-time-course-and-benefits-query

Most unusual for anyone from DSP to contact you directly about a P/T course you had started prior to being made redundant or indeed referred to Seetac, who I presume shared this info with DSP.

Doing a PT course does not affect your Jobseekers payment as long as you were available for & Looking for employment. Seetac themselves encourage participants to do courses all the time.

What's motivated DSP to contact you about this is a Mystery & it would be wise to call into your nearest Intero Centre to discuss directly, what is the issue.