Minister Tony Killeen, T.D., has reminded Clare social welfare recipients considering returning to education that applications for the Back to Education Allowance scheme (BTEA) for the 2010/11 academic year should be submitted as soon as possible.
The BTEA replaces an applicant’s existing social welfare income and, in addition, an annual €500 cost of education allowance is payable. Increases for qualified adult and child dependants are also payable, where appropriate. In addition, participants may continue to receive any secondary benefits to which they have been entitled. Jobseekers which avail of the scheme are exempt from the requirement to be available for work while participating in an approved course.
There are two education options available under the Back to Education Allowance scheme, namely Second Level and Third Level.
According to Minister Killeen: “This second-chance educational opportunities scheme offers more flexibility with some practical changes to its qualifying conditions coming into effect from this week.”
He continued: “The qualifying period to access the allowance has been altered from 12 months down to 9 months for those on a social welfare payment and who want to do a Third Level course. Previously, a person who wished to take up a 3rd level course of education could do so after getting a relevant social welfare payment for 12 months, or 9 months, only if approved by a facilitator of the Department. This period has now been set at 9 months for all applicants who are attending 3rd level education.”
HOW TO APPLY:
Contact your local 2nd or 3rd level school or college to get details of the courses available. Schools or colleges will also advise you on how to obtain a place on the course of your choice.
When you are accepted on a course, you should notify the Department of Social Protection by downloading and completing the Back to Education Allowance application form which is available online at www.welfare.ie and from your Social Welfare Local Office. Further information is available at www.welfare.ie or www.citizensinformation.ie.
The BTEA replaces an applicant’s existing social welfare income and, in addition, an annual €500 cost of education allowance is payable. Increases for qualified adult and child dependants are also payable, where appropriate. In addition, participants may continue to receive any secondary benefits to which they have been entitled. Jobseekers which avail of the scheme are exempt from the requirement to be available for work while participating in an approved course.
There are two education options available under the Back to Education Allowance scheme, namely Second Level and Third Level.
According to Minister Killeen: “This second-chance educational opportunities scheme offers more flexibility with some practical changes to its qualifying conditions coming into effect from this week.”
He continued: “The qualifying period to access the allowance has been altered from 12 months down to 9 months for those on a social welfare payment and who want to do a Third Level course. Previously, a person who wished to take up a 3rd level course of education could do so after getting a relevant social welfare payment for 12 months, or 9 months, only if approved by a facilitator of the Department. This period has now been set at 9 months for all applicants who are attending 3rd level education.”
HOW TO APPLY:
Contact your local 2nd or 3rd level school or college to get details of the courses available. Schools or colleges will also advise you on how to obtain a place on the course of your choice.
When you are accepted on a course, you should notify the Department of Social Protection by downloading and completing the Back to Education Allowance application form which is available online at www.welfare.ie and from your Social Welfare Local Office. Further information is available at www.welfare.ie or www.citizensinformation.ie.
