The whole idea of BTEA is to help people who are out of work further their education, thus increasing their chances of getting off welfare payments. In my experience, SW take a positive view if somebody is aiming to apply for BTEA. remember too that the qualification period allows for breaks of up to three months off benefits. In other words, if you signed on Jun 2006, signed off June 07, signed back Aug 07 until course start Sep 07, the period is considered aas 14 months, not 2 months. You have to be signing on at the time of the course starting to get BTEA though.