Back to Education Allowance Scheme
Index
1.1 INTRODUCTION
As part of its Social and Family Support Services, the Department of Social Protection provides a wide range of second chance education opportunities for unemployed people, lone parents and people with disabilities.
The Department's objective in this area is to raise educational and skills levels among the long term unemployed, in order to help them to meet the requirements of the modern labour market. Studies have shown that there is a strong link between unemployment and educational attainment and this Department's Back To Education Programme was introduced to provide a comprehensive range of options from which an unemployed person can choose, or be directed to, the most appropriate for his/her needs.
The Back To Education Programme range from basic foundation courses through to certain postgraduate university courses, and are:
1.2 Information Leaflet
Back to Education Programme ( SW70) .
www.welfare.ie/EN/Schemes/BackToEducation/
Note: The Back to Education Allowance Scheme, which is administrative, is under constant review to ensure that it remains relevant to labour market conditions and keeps its focus on helping those most marginalised in terms of employability. In this context the eligibility criteria, for participation in the scheme, is subject to change from time to time. For current information on the schemes eligibility conditions, please consult with your Social Welfare Local Office or Employment Support Services, Back to Education Schemes, Shannon Lodge, Carrick on Shannon, Co. Leitrim.
1.3 Legislation
The Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) is a non-statutory stand alone scheme approved by Government. Government Decision S.29416 of 8 October 1996 refers.
1.4 Administration
The Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) Scheme is administered by:
Employment Support Services
Back to Education Schemes
Shannon Lodge
Carrick on Shannon
Co. Leitrim.
1.5 Description of Scheme
The Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) is an educational opportunities scheme for certain persons in receipt of one of the following Social Welfare payments:
- Jobseekers Allowance
- Jobseekers Benefit
- Farm Assist
- One-Parent Family Payment
- Deserted Wife's Allowance
- Deserted Wife's Benefit
- Widow's/Widower's Non-Contributory Pension
- Widow's/Widower's Contributory Pension
- Prisoners Wife's Allowance
- Disability Allowance
- Blind Pension
- Invalidity Pension
- Incapacity Supplement (in cases where the award of Incapacity Supplement is based on a Life Disablement Pension)
- Carer's Allowance
- Illness Benefit (in receipt of for at least 2 years or more).
and who wish to pursue an approved second or third level course of education.
1.6 Study Options available
There are two study options available under the Back to Education Allowance Scheme:
- Second Level Option (SLO)
- Third Level Option (TLO)
Note: FETAC courses are considered for BTEA purposes to be Second level Option courses and HETAC level courses are considered under the rules governing Third Level Option (TLO)
1.7 Second Level Option (SLO)
A person may attend a second level course of education at any publicly funded Community, Comprehensive, Secondary, Vocational school or Institute of Technology. The course being pursued must be a full-time day course of study and lead to a qualification that is:
- recognised by the Department of Education & Skills,
- awarded by the Further Education and Training Awards Council (FETAC) or,
- the Business and Technology Education Council (BTEC).
Examples of the type of courses covered are:
- Junior Certificate
- Leaving Certificate
- Post-Leaving Certificate (PLC)
- Certain City and Guilds
- Foundation/Access courses at Universities or Institutes of Technology. Some colleges offer such courses with FETAC award. Other colleges will have "in house" award i.e. Certificate is awarded by college.
- Further Education and Training Awards Council (FETAC) awards
- Business & Technology Education Council (BTEC) awards
- Vocational Education Committee i.e. VEC awards its own certification
- Youth Horizons (School Completion Programme)
In addition to existing Access/Foundation courses, approval may be given to preparatory 3rd level courses of at least 18 week’s duration requiring full-time commitment and conferring a Special Purpose Award of a minimum of 30 credits that accumulate towards the student’s chosen third level qualification. Second Level courses in the UK and Northern Ireland may also be approved provided they lead to a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ).
Further Education and Training Awards Council (FETAC):
In the majority of courses, the qualification awarding body determines if course is second level or third level i.e. FETAC is second level and HETAC (Higher Education and Training Awards Council) is third level. Applicant is requested, on BTE1, to state the awarding body of the qualification being pursued. However, if there is any doubt regarding the level of qualification or the awarding body, the school/college/institute should be contacted to confirm.
A wide range of qualifications are validated by FETAC e.g. FETAC Certificate (Levels 1 to 5) and Advanced Certificate (Level 6) and may, if full-time, be pursued under the Second Level Option of the BTEA scheme.
Comprehensive details of all FETAC awards can be obtained from the National Framework of Qualifications website . This also gives details of third level qualifications i.e. HETAC
An overview of qualifications can be printed down from the NFQ website as follows:
(1) NFQ Website (2) click on Site Map (3) click on Publications and Resources (4) click on Presentation Materials (5) click on NFQ Fan Poster.
Examples of schools/colleges/organisations who offer FETAC/BTEC and other second level qualifications are:
- Community, Comprehensive or Secondary Schools
- Further Education Centres i.e. Vocational Educational Committees (VECs)
- Higher Education Institutions
- Teagasc
- Fáilte Ireland (Formerly CERT)
- BIM (Bord Iascaigh Mhara)
There are currently 1,300 Further Education Centres registered with FETAC. A county-by-county list of all secondary, comprehensive, community schools and colleges may be obtained from the Department of Education and Skills.
This list can be printed down from the Department of Education and Skills website as follows;
(1) 'www.education.ie' (2) click on Site Map (3) click on Education Provider Search (4) click on Post Primary School.
Business and Technology Education Council (BTEC):
In whereas FETAC awards are generally second level, BTEC awards can be either second or third level. BTEC is a British educational awards body and, at present, there is no definite alignment between BTEC awards and Rep. of Ireland awarding bodies. Following consultation with the National Qualifications Authorities of Ireland (NQAI) at present, the following criteria regarding BTEC awards applies:
- BTEC National Diploma is considered second level
- BTEC Higher National Diploma (HND) is considered third level
1.8 Third Level Option (TLO)
A person may attend an approved third level course of education at any university or third level college or institution. The course must be a full-time day course of study which is recognised
- by the Department of Education and Skills for Higher Education Grant Scheme, or
- the Vocational Education Committee's Scholarship Scheme, or
- the Third Level Maintenance Grants Scheme for Trainees, or
- has Higher Education and Training Awards Council (HETAC) recognition
From 1 January 2003, the postgraduate option of the Back To Education Allowance is payable only to persons who wish to pursue a postgraduate course of study that leads to a Higher Diploma (H.Dip.) qualification in any discipline or to persons in pursuit of a Graduate Diploma in Education (Primary & Secondary Teaching).
- Other types of postgraduate qualifications are not recognised for BTEA purposes. For e.g. Masters, MA, MSc, M.Phil etc.
- Only postgraduate courses in Ireland are eligible for the BTEA scheme.
- Under no circumstances will BTEA be awarded to a person who already holds a postgraduate qualification.
Full-time day undergraduate courses in the United Kingdom and other European Union countries which are recognised for Higher Education Grant purposes may also be considered for the Back to Education Allowance.
1.9 Other Approved Third Level Courses
- Full time day courses provided by Teagasc. Course must be validated by the Higher Education Training and Awards Council (HETAC)
- Full time day courses provided by Fáilte Ireland. Course must be validated by the Higher Education Training and Awards Council (HETAC)
- Certain Business & Technology Education Council (BTEC) i.e. BTEC Higher National Diploma (HND)
- Diploma in Counselling Course (Galilee House, Athy, Co. Kildare)
1.10 Qualifying Conditions for SLO & TLO
To qualify for the Back to Education Allowance (second level or third level option), a person must secure a place on an approved course (as specified above) and satisfy the following conditions immediately prior to the commencement of the first year of the course:
(A) at least 21 years of age (at least 24 years of age for an approved postgraduate qualification)
and
in receipt of one of the following social welfare payments for at least 3 months ( 78 days) for Second Level Option (SLO) and 9 months (234 days) for Third Level Option (TLO).
- Jobseekers Allowance
- Jobseekers Benefit
- Farm Assist
- One-Parent Family Payment
- Deserted Wife's Allowance
- Deserted Wife's Benefit
- Widow's/Widower's Non-Contributory Pension
- Widow's/Widower's Contributory Pension
- Prisoners Wife's Allowance
- Carer's Allowance
or,
(B) be at least 18 years of age
and
in receipt of one the following social welfare payments for at least 3 months ( 78 days) for Second Level Option (SLO) and 9 months for Third Level Option (TLO)
- Disability Allowance
- Blind Pension
- Invalidity Pension
- Incapacity Supplement (based on a Life Disablement Pension)
or,
(C) Aged between 18 and 20 and out of formal education for at least 2 years
and,
In receipt of Jobseekers Allowance, Jobseekers Benefit or One-Parent Family Payment for at least 3 months ((see note 1) 78 days of unemployment) for Second Level Option (SLO) and 9 months ((see note 1) 234 days of unemployment) for Third Level Option (TLO).
or
(D) In receipt of Illness Benefit for 2 years or more (2 year rule effective from September 2007)
Note: Periods spent on FÁS/Fáilte Ireland Training Courses, FÁS Job Initiative, Youth Reach or Job Assist can count towards the relevant qualifying period and may be regarded as periods out of formal education.
Note 1: Sunday shall not be treated as a day of unemployment.
1.11 Linking Periods
When determining if a claimant satisfies the 3 month/9 month/12 month condition, the Jobseekers Allowance (JA) linking rule i.e. 52 weeks applies to all relevant Social Welfare payments that qualify a person for participation in the BTEA scheme. Periods spent on other relevant Social Welfare Payments, that are not broken by more than 12 months (52 weeks), can be used in determining if an applicant satisfies the qualifying period criteria.
Other Schemes that count towards the qualifying period for BTEA
Periods spent on the Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS), Full-time FÁS/Fáilte Ireland Training Course, FIT, Community Employment Scheme, Community Services Programme, Rural Social Scheme, Back to Work Enterprise Allowance, Short-term Enterprise Allowance, FÁS Job Initiative or Job Assist may count towards the qualifying period for BTEA purposes. This provision applies only in cases where the BTEA applicant was in receipt of a relevant Social Welfare payment immediately prior to or after participation in any of the above schemes.
In cases where there is a break (in excess of 4 weeks) between ceasing participation in one of the above mentioned schemes and commencing an approved course of study, a person must establish an entitlement to a relevant Social Welfare payment in order to qualify for BTEA.
EXCEPTION: Following the cessation of a Community Employment Scheme (CES), Social Economy Programme (SEP) or Rural Social Scheme (RSS) persons who were not in receipt of a relevant Social Welfare payment prior to commencing a CES/SEP/RSS may avail of the BTEA scheme. This condition applies ONLY to persons with disabilities or persons who gained access to the CES/SEP/RSS following an NDA referral. However, in cases where there is a break of more than 4 weeks between the cessation of CES/SEP/RSS and commencing an approved course, the applicant must establish an entitlement to a relevant Social Welfare payment.
- Period spent on Youth Reach can count towards the qualifying period for BTEA provided the person establishes an entitlement to a relevant social welfare payment prior to, or after completion of Youth Reach programme.
- Periods spent on Illness Benefit can count towards the 3 month(78 days ) qualifying period for Second Level Option (SLO) and the 9 month (234 days) for Third Level Option (TLO), provided that at least 50% of the qualifying period was spent on the relevant Social Welfare Payment that actually qualifies the person for participation in the BTEA Scheme. ( For e.g. if a person is applying for BTEA from a jobseekers payment for a TLO course, they must have a total of 9 months, half of which must be from jobseekers claims and the balance can be IB)
In the case of Illness Benefit recipients, periods spent on other BTEA relevant qualifying payments (JA/JB etc.) can be used to make up the 2 year qualifying period for IB recipients provided that at least 50% of the 2 years (12 months) is IB.
- Periods spent in prison can be taken as, or count towards the qualifying period for BTEA once an entitlement to a relevant Social Welfare Payment has been established.
- Time spent on Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) or Direct Provision from the Health Service Executive can count towards the qualifying period for BTEA. This applies only in circumstances where the person establishes an entitlement to a relevant Social Welfare payment immediately prior to commencing the first year of an approved course of study.
- Persons awarded Statutory Redundancy under Irish legislation may have immediate access to the BTEA scheme, (or within one year ) of the award of the Statutory Redundancy, provided an entitlement to a relevant Social Welfare payment is established prior to commencing an approved course of study.
1.12 Special Provisions
1.12.1 BTEA Eligibility to both partners:
The Qualified Adult Dependent of a person who has an existing entitlement to the Back to Education Allowance can qualify for BTEA in their own right for the duration of an approved course of study.
To qualify under this option, the applicant must be a Qualified Adult Dependent (for the required qualifying period i.e. 3 months for SLO, 9 months for TLO) of a person who satisfies the eligibility criteria for participation in the BTEA scheme immediately prior to the commencement of the approved course of study.
The Qualified Adult Dependent, in such cases, is entitled to the maximum standard personal rate of the relevant Social Welfare payment that the claimant is in receipt of. The Qualified Adult Dependent also qualifies for the annual Cost of Education Allowance.
In effect, this provision allows the Social Welfare claimant and his/her Qualified Adult Dependent to qualify independently for participation in the Back to Education Allowance Scheme.
This provision applies to all BTEA relevant Social Welfare payments where there is an increase in respect of a Qualified Adult Dependent in payment.
Note: Periods spent in receipt of a Qualified Adult Allowance may not be added to periods in receipt of a Social Welfare payment in order to link a claim to qualify for Back to Education under the spousal swop option.
1.12.2 VTOS more than two years:
The Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) is payable for a maximum of 2 years only. In circumstances where a person has undertaken a course/qualification that is in excess of 2 years while on VTOS, BTEA (Second Level Option) is payable for the remainder of the course/qualification. The SWLO should ensure that the person is resuming the next year of the same course in the following academic year and that no qualification was awarded on cessation of VTOS. Once this has been established BTEA (Second Level Option) may be approved from the beginning of the new academic year.
1.12.3 Signing arrangements:
Jobseekers Allowance or Jobseekers Benefit recipients who qualify for participation on BTEA are not required to sign-on the Live Register while attending an approved course of study. The prior approval of the department must always be sought by JA and JB recipients for participating on any course of education. Failure to seek this approval may result in an overpayment and possible prosecution.
1.12.4 Half rate JB & BTEA :
A BTEA participant who was in receipt of One-Parent Family Payment, Deserted Wife's Allowance, Deserted Wife's Benefit, Widow's/Widower's Non-Contributory Pension or Widow's/Widower's Contributory Allowance or Prisoners Wife's Allowance are paid at the maximum rate for the duration of the course. These are considered to be the primary Social Welfare payment and BTEA is awarded on the basis of these payments. In certain circumstances s/he may also be in receipt of half rate Jobseekers Benefit (JB). Half rate JB may continue to be paid in respect of days of unemployment only, until entitlement to JB exhausts in the normal way. The participant may subsequently re-qualify for JB provided all conditions are satisfied. In this respect it should be noted that s/he is deemed to be available for employment for the duration of the BTEA claim.
1.12.5 Top up on Jobseekers Benefit:
If a person is in receipt of a reduced rate One-Parent Family Payment, Deserted Wife's Allowance, Deserted Wife's Benefit, Widow's/Widower's Non-Contributory Pension, Widow's/Widower's Contributory Pension or Prisoners Wife's Allowance and is also being paid in excess of half rate Jobseekers Benefit (JB) by way of a "top up Payment", the JB payment is reduced to half rate on commencement of BTEA.
1.12.6 Qualifying for BTEA from "credits only":
Back to Education Allowance participants who were in receipt of "credits only" on commencement of Back to Education Allowance may satisfy the contribution conditions for Jobseekers Benefit on the commencement of a new Governing Contribution Year. These participants are entitled to receive Back to Education Allowance from the date on which these conditions are satisfied.
Clients who qualify for Back to Education on a credit only basis are entitled to receive the Cost of Education Allowance on production of the relevant documentation from the Registrars/Admissions Office of the College they are attending. (September 2008).
1.12.7 Repeat years:
BTEA participants who have to repeat a year of their course will continue to be paid the allowance for the repeat year. This is provided that the BTEA participant is registered and attending as a FULL-TIME student for the repeat year. Repeat students who register as external students, exam only students or part-time students for their repeat year are not eligible for the allowance.
1.12.8 Relaxation of the first year of an approved course of study:
The condition that applicants must be commencing the first year of an approved full-time course to access the BTEA is being relaxed, subject to fulfilling the other scheme conditions, to allow access after the first year of a course to:
- Applicants who have been granted an exemption by the college/course provider based on a previous course or on life experience.
- Applicants who had completed the earlier year(s) of the course on a part-time basis and are now unemployed.
- Applicants who are permitted by the college/course provider to proceed to the second or subsequent year of a course after having previously dropped out.
In order to qualify for participation in the BTEA scheme an applicant must be commencing the first year of an approved course of study. Each case should be considered on its merits. The condition may be waived where there are mitigating circumstances that would make it unreasonable to expect a person to have continued the course.
Summary
A person who wishes to pursue a second level (SLO) or Third level (TLO) course of study or Postgraduate (limited) and wishes to apply for BTEA it is necessary to be:
- A specific age
- In receipt of a prescribed social welfare payment for a specified period of time
- The course must be a full-time day course of study
- Studying at a recognised college leading to a recognised qualification
(for BTEA purposes)
- Must be commencing the first year of a course of study
(with exceptions- See 1.12.8)
- Progressing in the level of education held by the client with reference to the National framework of qualifications
1.13 BTEA Disqualifications
- Entitlement to Back to Education Allowance is terminated when the person ceases to pursue an approved course of study.
- Persons in receipt of Back to Education Allowance are not eligible to participate in a Community Employment Scheme, Social Economy Programme, Rural Social Scheme or any other FÁS/Fáilte Ireland training programme.
- Persons in receipt of Back to Education Allowance are not eligible for Family Income Supplement (FIS).
- Persons pursuing Further Education and Training Awards Council (FETAC) recognised, or other second level courses of study at Roslyn Park College, National Learning Network or any other FÁS Funded Training Institute are not eligible to participate in the Back to Education Allowance Scheme. Participants on FÁS funded training courses are eligible to receive, at least, a standard FÁS Training Allowance.
- BTEA (SLO/TLO) will not be approved in respect of a person who holds a qualification equivalent or higher than the qualification for which the BTEA application has been received. However, consideration will be given in certain circumstances i.e. length of time since obtaining the first qualification, efforts to get employment with qualification already held and periods of unemployment since obtaining first qualification. The main consideration in such cases is that the proposed further qualification will substantially enhance the person's employment prospects.
- A BTEA participant who fails to complete, or drops out of a course will not be permitted on to the scheme to pursue a different course unless the Department is satisfied that certain circumstances pertain. Similar to the above, the main consideration in such cases is the enhancement of the person's employment prospects.
1.14 Rates of Payment
BTEA is a separate, stand alone scheme and it is not means tested. Participants receive a weekly personal rate equivalent to the maximum standard personal rate of the relevant Social Welfare payment that actually qualified them for participation in the BTEA scheme. For all new BTEA cases coming from Jobseekers Allowance and Disability Allowance, where a spouse has earnings, the rate payable will be personal rate of JA/DA(max. rate) plus Qualified Adult rate determined by reference to JB tapered QA rules.
A 'Saver' clause operates to prevent a participant being made worse off by virtue of this arrangement. The rate of payment is affected only by changes in qualified adult or child dependency status (See Guidelines- Increase for Qualified Adult / Child) and by budgetary changes.
Participants may also engage in employment without affecting their personal rate of payment. Payment of the BTEA is not affected by income from any other source, e.g. earnings from part-time employment etc., but any change in the financial circumstances of the spouse/partner will effect Adult/child dependent allowance. However, additional income will affect entitlement to Rent/Mortgage Supplement. Clients should be directed to the HSE for clarification of this issue.
Please note that if you cease your course of education and re-apply for any social welfare payment, you must fulfil the qualifying conditions for that scheme. These include disclosure of all earnings and other income where required.
1.15 Cost of Education Allowance
The €500.00 Cost of Education Allowance is payable to all approved participants in the BTEA Scheme (including credits only cases). This allowance is payable at the beginning of each academic year.
Participants must supply written confirmation from the school or college(Registrars or Admission office only) that they have registered as a full-time day student before the Cost of Education Allowance is payable.
1.16 Extra Benefits
Participants may continue to receive any secondary benefits to which they would otherwise have an entitlement (provisions are governed by primary legislation). These may include:
- Fuel Allowance
- Christmas Bonus
- Rent Allowance/Mortgage Interest Supplement under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme.
1.17 Assessment for Rent/Mortgage Supplement
Any increase in income, e.g. an increase from a reduced Social Welfare payment to the BTEA rate, or earnings from part-time employment, will affect entitlement to a Rent/Mortgage Supplement. Also, all grants received in respect of a second level course of education are assessed for Rent Allowance and Mortgage Interest Supplement purposes. Clients should be directed to the HSE for clarification of this issue.
1.18 Back to Education Allowance and Maintenance Grants
From September 2010, all new applicants who are in receipt of the Back to Education Allowance for all schemes, and the VTOS allowances for those pursuing PLC courses, will no longer be eligible for student support maintenance grants. The cost of the student services charge and any fees payable to colleges will continue to be met, for eligible students, by the Exchequer on their behalf. Students currently in receipt of the BTEA or VTOS allowances and the maintenance grant will continue to be eligible for both payments for the duration of their current course provided they meet the terms and conditions of the scheme.
2. Claims, Documentation and Decision Procedures
2.1 Claims
Responsibility for securing a place on a course rests with the applicant. The Department of Social Protection does not provide assistance in this regard.
Once a person has been accepted on a course s/he must notify the Department by completing the application form (BTE 1). Application form (BTE1) is readily available from various outlets (see Appendix 1)
Provision is being made for the acceptance of late claims. Applicantions for BTEA must be made prior to commencement of an approved course but late applications will be accepted if received within 30 days of the commencement date of the course, provided there are reasonable grounds for doing so. In exceptional circumstances, further backdating may be considered.
2.2 Documentation
Applicants are responsible for the production of the information required. This includes written confirmation from the relevant institute of education that the applicant has registered as a full-time day student. Payment will not issue until approved applicants provide written confirmation from the school/college.
Failure to supply relevant documentation will result in the application being disallowed.
Participants may be requested to furnish confirmation of on-going course attendance. Failure to supply this information within the period specified may result in a suspension of payment.
Participants are also required to notify the Department of cessation of participation on a course.
2.3 Decisions
2.3.1 Jobseekers Allowance, Jobseekers Benefit, Farm Assist and One Parent Family (ISTS cases):
In cases where the applicant is in receipt of Jobseekers Allowance, Jobseekers Benefit, Farm Assist or One Parent Family Payment (ISTS cases) the following procedures should be applied:
(a) BTEA
Decisions on BTEA (SLO & TLO) applications are made by Deciding Officers in the relevant Social Welfare Local Office. On receipt of a completed application form (BTE 1), the Social Welfare Local Office examines the application to ensure that all scheme eligibility criteria are satisfied.
If the conditions of entitlement are satisfied, formal approval is issued to the applicant. The applicant is also advised that written confirmation of commencement of the approved course must be supplied to the Social Welfare Local Office before payment can issue.
The SWLO makes the necessary payment arrangements, including payment of the Cost of Education Allowance.
If the conditions of entitlement are not satisfied, notification is issued to the claimant, stating the specific grounds for refusal. The claimant is advised of his/her right to have the decision reviewed.
(b) BTEA (TLO) Application on OFFICE (All-in-One)
For TLO applications all relevant details must be entered on TLO Application which is available on OFFICE (See seperate Training Manual for this application).
2.3.2 One-Parent Family Payment, Deserted Wife's Allowance, Deserted Wife's Benefit, Widow's/Widower's Non-Contributory Pension, Widow's/Widower's Contributory Pension, Prisoners Wife's Allowance and Blind Pension:
Decisions on applications for persons in receipt of one of the above payments are made by the relevant section at the Social Welfare Services Office, College Road, Sligo.
2.3.3 Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension, Incapacity Supplement and Carer's Allowance
Decisions on applications for persons in receipt of one of the above payments are made by the relevant section at the Social Welfare Services Office, Government Buildings, Ballinalee Road, Longford.
2.3.4 Illness Benefit:
Decisions on applications made by persons in receipt of Illness Benefit are made by Employment Support Services, Back to Education Schemes, Shannon Lodge, Carrick on Shannon, Co. Leitrim.
2.4 Procedure
The claim is checked to ensure that the person is in receipt of the appropriate payment for the required duration.
If the person is deemed to be qualified for payment of BTEA, the responsible section issues notification advising him/her of this fact. The person is requested to supply confirmation from the college that s/he has registered as a FULL-TIME DAY STUDENT for the course as outlined in the application.
When confirmation is received, the relevant section arranges for the issue of the Cost of Education Allowance and BTEA is paid at a rate equivalent to the maximum personal rate of the relevant payment.
2.5 Change in circumstances
Participation in the Back to Education Allowance may be periodically reviewed, to confirm that the conditions of entitlement continue to be satisfied. A review may also be initiated on receipt of notification of any change in circumstances which may affect entitlement or the appropriate rate of payment.
3. Procedures Following Award
3.1 Payment
3.1.1 Participants transferring from Jobseekers Allowance, Jobseekers Benefit, Farm Assist or One Parent Family Payment (ISTS cases):
Back to Education Allowance is paid on a weekly basis by the Social Welfare Local Office. Participants are requested to supply details of their bank account and payment of the allowance may be made by Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT). Other methods of payment include postdraft.
3.1.2 Participants previously in receipt of One-Parent Family Payment, Deserted Wife's Allowance, Deserted Wife's Benefit, Widow's/Widower's Non-Contributory Pension, Widow's/Widower's Contributory Pension, Disability Allowance, Blind Pension, Invalidity Pension or Carer's Allowance:
Back to Education Allowance is paid on a weekly basis. Participants are requested to supply details of their bank account and payment of the allowance may be made by Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT). Other methods of payment include Electronic Information Transfer (EIT) or Book Payment.
Persons previously in receipt of Incapacity Supplement will have their Back to Education Allowance paid on a weekly basis by cheque.
Persons in receipt of Illness Benefit are paid weekly by Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT).
3.2 Reviews
The Back to Education Allowance is a non-statutory scheme and, as such, decisions can not be appealed to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. A person who is not satisfied with a decision may request (in writing) a review by an officer of the relevant Social Welfare Local Office or Section, enclosing any new evidence in support of the review.
3.3 Duration of Payment
In certain instances, the Back to Education Allowance is payable for the duration of the academic year only. The allowance is NOT payable for the summer period between academic years to BTEA participants who were in receipt of Jobseekers Allowance or Jobseekers Benefit prior to participation in the scheme.
Persons who were in receipt of One-Parent Family Payment, Deserted Wife's Allowance, Deserted Wife's Benefit, Widow's/Widower's Non-Contributory Pension, Widow's/Widower's Contributory Pension, Prisoner's Wife's Allowance, Disability Allowance, Blind Pension, Invalidity Pension, Incapacity Supplement, Carer's Allowance or Illness Benefit prior to participation in the scheme are not affected by this condition and retain payment during the summer period.
Where BTEA participants (Second or Third Level Option) are unable to find employment during the summer period, subject to satisfying the usual qualifying conditions, they may be entitled to claim an unemployment payment (JA/JB).
In circumstances where BTEA participants have to, as an integral or compulsory part of their course of study, undertake a period of work placement/experience, the allowance will continue in payment for this period. The participant must supply written evidence from the Registrars Office/Admissions Office or Student Records Office of the school/college/institution confirming this.
BTEA participants who commenced postgraduate courses of study prior to 1 January 2003 will continue to be funded under the BTEA scheme to the completion of their course of study that they initially applied for.
SWLO's will contact, in March/April of each year, BTEA participants who were previously in receipt of an unemployment payment to determine their intentions for the new academic year. Participants will also be requested to supply the date of last attendance for the current academic year. Payment of the allowance will continue to this date.
Failure to notify the Department of intentions in respect of the forthcoming academic year will result in the immediate suspension of the Back to Education Allowance.
BTEA participants who are progressing to the next year of their course or who are progressing in second level or third level undergraduate qualifications will have their BTEA reinstated from the commencement of the new academic year irrespective of whether they were in receipt of an unemployment payment for the summer period. All participants must supply written confirmation from school/college/institute that they have registered as a full-time day student for the new academic year.
3.4 Maintenance
Claims are maintained on an on-going basis in the relevant Social Welfare Local Office, the relevant section in the Social Welfare Services Office, College Road Sligo, the relevant section in the Social Welfare Services Office, Government Buildings, Ballinalee Road, Longford and Employment Support Services, Back to Education Schemes, Shannon Lodge, Carrick on Shannon, Co. Leitrim, in respect of persons previously in receipt of Illness Benefit.
3.5 Lost Payments
If a postdraft/cheque payment is not received by the participant, a replacement may be issued. See document on "Payments" in these Guidelines, in respect of the action to be taken when a postdraft/cheque is reported as uncashed, lost or stolen, or a book of payable orders is reported as lost or stolen.
APPENDIX 1
Information Leaflet (SW70) and application form (BTE1) are available from:
- Nationwide network of Social Welfare Local Offices,
- Employment Support Services, Back to Education Schemes Section, Shannon Lodge, Carrick on Shannon, Co. Leitrim.
- Social Welfare Services Office, College Road, Sligo,
- Social Welfare Services Office, Government Buildings, Ballinalee Road, Longford,
- Information Service, Social Welfare Services Office, College Road, Sligo.
Completed application form (BTE1) should be returned to:
- Persons in receipt of Jobseekers Allowance, Jobseekers Benefit, Farm Assist or One Parent Family Payment (ISTS cases) must return the completed application form (BTE1) to the relevant Social Welfare Local Office.
- Persons in receipt of a One-Parent Family Payment, Deserted Wife's Allowance, Deserted Wife's Benefit, Widow's/Widower's Non-Contributory Pension, Widow's/Widower's Contributory Pension, Prisoners Wife's Allowance or Blind Pension must return the completed application form (BTE1) to the Social Welfare Services Office, College Road, Sligo.
- Persons in receipt of Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension, Incapacity Supplement or Carer's Allowance must return the completed application form (BTE1) to Social Welfare Services Office, Government Buildings, Ballinalee Road, Longford.
- Persons in receipt of Illness Benefit must return the completed application form (BTE1) to Employment Support Services, Back to Education Schemes, Shannon Lodge, Carrick on Shannon, Co. Leitrim.
APPENDIX 2
Details of Relevant changes to Third Level Allowance/Second Level Allowance & Back to Education Allowance since 1990
1990 Third Level Allowance (TLA) first introduced. Applied to Jobseekers Allowance and Jobseekers Benefit only. Age criteria was 23 and qualifying period was 15 months
1993: Extended to recipients of One Parent Family Payments
Qualifying period reduced to 12 months
1995: Age criteria reduced to 21 years of age
Qualifying period reduced to 6 months
TLA extended to Postgraduate qualifications (age criteria 24) provided applicant was on LR for at least 6 months after completing primary degree
1996: TLA established as a separate stand-alone scheme
TLA payable at maximum personal rate
Book Allowance (E127.00) introduced
Payment of TLA during Summer vacation period
Requirement to be, for Postgraduate Option, on LR for 6 months after completing primary degree abolished
1997: Second Level Allowance (SLA) established as a stand-alone scheme
1998: Both the Second Level Allowance (SLA) and the Third Level Allowance (TLA) were merged into a unified Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) Scheme.
Disability Allowance and Blind Pension became relevant payments for BTEA purposes.
Annual Book Allowance was re-titled Cost of Education Allowance and increased to E190.00
1999: Annual Cost of Education Allowance increased to E254.00
2000: Invalidity Pension, Incapacity Supplement and Carer's Allowance became relevant payments for BTEA purposes
The Qualified Adult of a BTEA eligible person could "take over" the relevant Social Welfare payment in order to access the BTEA scheme. This arrangement is known as "Spousal Swap"
Periods spent on Back to Work Allowance, FAS Job Initiative and Job Start could count towards qualifying period for BTEA
2001: Early School Leavers (18-20 year olds) qualified for BTEA provided out of formal education for at least 2 years
People with disabilities who accessed Community Employment Schemes through the National Disability Authority (NDA) became eligible for BTEA without having to establish a Social Welfare entitlement
2002: Persons in receipt of Deserted Wife's Allowance/Benefit Widows Contributory/Non Contributory Pension and Prisoners Wife's Allowance without dependent children became eligible for BTEA
BTEA was extended to persons in receipt of Illness Benefit for 3 years or more
Qualified Adult of BTEA eligible persons became eligible to access scheme in their own right (replaced "Spousal Swap")
2003: Summer payment to BTEA participants previously on Jobseekers Allowance and Jobseekers Benefit discontinued
Postgraduate option of BTEA scheme restricted to Higher Diplomas (H.Dip.) or Postgraduate Diplomas in Education (Primary School Teaching)
2004: Qualifying period for TLO increased from 6 to 15 months
2005: Qualifying period for TLO reduced from 15 to 12 months
JA and JB recipients qualify for TLO at 9 months if participating in NEAP process
Annual Cost of Education Allowance increased to E400.00
2006: Periods spent on SWA or Direct Provision from HSE to count towards qualifying period provided entitlement to relevant Social Welfare payment is established prior to commencing an approved course of study
2007: Qualifying period for Illness Benefit reduced to 2 years
Persons awarded Statutory Redundancy may access scheme provided entitlement to a relevant Social Welfare payment is established prior to commencing an approved course of study. 1/9/2007
2008: Annual Cost of Education Allowance increases to EUR500.00.
Cost of Education Allowance extended to "credit only" cases
2009 Reduction of the qualifying period for Second level courses from 6 months (156 days) to 3 Months( 78 days ) for all qualifying payments. (1/5/2009)
Earlier access to Third level Option of the BTEA on the recommendation of the Job Facilitator. (Jobseekers claims only). (1/5/2009)
2010 Qualifying period for receipt of TLO courses reduced to 9 months( 234 days ) for all payments (July 2010)
Relaxation of the condition of first year of course of study. (July 2010)
BTEA recipients no longer eligible for Student Support Maintenance Grants (maintenance element only) September 2010