Is this normal....?? (Back to education allowance)

So.....

I'm 25 and have been in full time employment for 7 years (luckily) but I want to go back to college to study childcare. Its a full time 1year course with FETAC qualification.

I spoke to the social welfare to see what I would be entitled to when I do go back to full time education, and according to them....I get zilch!

I've never received social welfare or claimed for anything else......also wondering why wouldnt I be entitled to claim help with my finances when I've been paying my taxes etc for so long! They told me I need to be unemployed for 6-12 months before I return to education - and only the will I receive welfare!?

Does anyone know if this is correct or would there be anything else I am entitled to?

Would appreciate any help you can offer.....

Your fees will be covered as long as you haven't done a course before. I got nothing from social welfare when I was a student ( granted I went straight from school to college) and so I had to work in a part time job like most of my college going friends.
Maybe contact the student union in the college you plan on attending to see if they can offer any advice.

Hi dashulka, I was the same as you had worked full time for 7 years and yes it is up to you to fund yourself through college with a part time job etc. You should however be entitled to a grant. So I would advise you to call your local VEC office and they can tell you the score.

Hope this helped.

dashulka said:

So.....

I'm 25 and have been in full time employment for 7 years (luckily) but I want to go back to college to study childcare. Its a full time 1year course with FETAC qualification.

Click to expand...

Would a career break be possible in these troubled times. Best to keep all options open.

Thanks a mil for your responses. I'll try the grant option with the VEC - every little helps.

I know I should be very happy with having a job, but its a pretty stressful job that I hate.......and happiness does come before money!

Thanks again lads.

Just to clarify, the BTEA was introduced to help long-term unemployed people better their chances of getting work through further education. This is the reason that one of the qualifying conditions is that you must be unemployed for a certain period.

I know it seems harsh - but dont you think if SW well to give a payment to everyone returning to college - in that case - you would have everyone going back to education left right and centre.
I am on JB and CANNOT for the life of me get a job so I am now looking into going to college also, simply because I cannot bear the thoughts of being at home for much longer .. I probably wont get BTEA even though I will have been on JB for 12 months!

I know you have paid your taxes etc.. But think of it logically - everyone would go back to college if they were to get SW!

you should be entitled to have your fees paid, providing you dont have a 3rd level qualification already. and also, u may receive a grant - it is means tested - i wont be entitled to a grant either. as my husband is classed as earning "too much" even though we are struggling so bad!

sorry for the long posting.. good luck with it

Your fire insurance wont allow you burn down your house in order to get a newer or better house.
Similarly, social welfare insurance wont pay for re-training when you already have a job. You must be genuinely made redundant or long term un-employed.(or disabled or reciept lone parent etc.)
The scheme was introduced (as far as I can remember) on the basis that people would update their skills and would eventually become employable again, thereby saving the social insurance fund money.( & reducing the live register figures).
I know this sounds harsh but its the best way I can explain what I think is the ethic and reasoning behind the BTEA.
I accept that there is anomolies and some people are better at working the system than others and I empathise with your frustration.
Social welfare regulations is like a stone wall imo, its pointless trying to go through them, you just have to work your way around it.