Education entitlements

[karakedi]

I am a single parent. I have already completed a degree course and received BTEA. The degree was finished in 2009 and I haven't been able to find any work using my degree. There are jobs abroad but as a parent thats not feasible.

I am interested in doing a fulltime 2 year PLC course which is 3 days college and 2 days paid work placement which offers a very strong prospective job opportunity coupled with my degree.
I know I won't qualify for BTEA again and was just wondering is there anything I am entitled to. I am currently paying back a loan from when I did my degree so was hoping to do this course when the loan is repaid in 2 years time.

My child is now 8 so I think with the new 7 yr old age limit for lone parents I will have to revert to JSA by then. I want more than anything to be off social welfare.
If anyone has any advice it would be much appreciated.

 

[gipimann]

It is impossible to predict what schemes may or may not be available in 2 years time when you hope to do the course. As you correctly said, you won't be eligible for Back to Education Allowance.

If the course includes paid work placement, then the earnings may affect whatever Welfare Payment you're on at the time.

If you are on Jobseeker's Allowance when you start the course, going into full-time education would disqualify you from JSA under the current rules, as you would not be considered available for full-time work.

The reduction in the age limit for claiming one parent family payment will be phased in for existing claimants, so it may be some time before you are no longer eligible.