Back to Education Allowance
The Back to Education Allowance is a scheme that can enable a lone parent to go back to approved second or third level education. The payment is the standard social welfare payment and the allowance is payable for the duration of the course.To qualify for the allowance you must be aged 21 or over for second level education or 24 for third level education and in receipt of a qualifying payment, for 6 months for second level and 12 months for third level.
The qualifying payments are:
- One-Parent Family Payment
- Deserted Wives Benefit/Allowance
- Widow/Widower’s Pension (both Contributory and non-Contributory)
- Prisoner’s Wife’s Allowance
- Carer’s Allowance – after caring responsibilities have ended
- Jobseekers Allowance or Benefit
If you have spent time on a Community Employment (CE) Scheme, a FAS training course, Failte Ireland training course, VTOS, Back to Work Allowance, Job Initiative, Job Assist, Fastrack to IT (FIT), Supplementary Welfare Allowance, in Direct Provision centres or prison then this can also count towards the qualifying period.
If you are aged between 18 and 20, have been out of education for 2 years and you are in receipt of One-Parent Family Payment then you may also qualify for the Back to Education Allowance.
Second Level – You can attend a second level course at any community, secondary, vocational or comprehensive school providing that the course is full-time and is recognised by the Department of Education and Science or approved by FETAC or BTEC. Some examples of these courses may be Junior Cert, Leaving Cert or the Post-Leaving Cert courses. Full time, third level Foundation and Access courses are also covered under the Second Level Option.
Third Level – these courses are run at universities or third-level colleges or institutions and again the courses must be full-time and approved by the Department of Science for the purposes of a Higher Education grant, the VEC Scholarship Scheme or the Third Level Maintenance Grant Scheme for Trainees or has HETAC recognition.
Secondary Benefits
If you qualify for the Back to Education Allowance then you will keep any secondary benefits that you already have, such as the Fuel Allowance and Rent Supplement. However, if there is any increase in your income you are advised to contact your Community Welfare Officer to see how it affects your Rent Supplement.
Cost of Education Allowance
This is an allowance that is paid at the start of the academic year. This will be €500 from September 2008.
What to do:
- Contact the school or college that has the course you are interested in and find out how to apply for a place on the course. If it is a third level course then you will need to apply through the CAO.
- When you have been accepted onto the course notify the DSFA by completing the form BTE1 and sending it to the relevant office that deals with your payment. If you receive the One-Parent Family Payment then it should be sent to Sligo (the address is below).
Further Information
For more information on the schemes you can contact your local Social Welfare Office or the Back to Education Scheme, Social Welfare Services Office, Government Buildings, Shannon Lodge, Carrick on Shannon, Co Leitrim.
Tel: 071 96 72698
The Adult Education Guidance Service runs in 4 regions in Dublin. Contact the CDVEC on 01 668 0614 or email info@cdvec.ie There are also regional VEC’s that are responsible for community and adult education in your local area.
If you are in receipt of One-Parent Family Payment then your application form for Back to Education Allowance is sent to Sligo: Social Welfare Services Office, DSFA, College Road, Sligo Tel: 1890 500 000
Aontas – the national adult learning network have a useful information booklet on second chance education. Tel: 01 406 8220 or http://www.aontas.com
The Central Applications Office (CAO) deals with applications for third level colleges: Tower House, Eglinton Street Galway Tel: 091 509 800 or www.cao.ie
