Government of Ireland Apply for Back to Education Allowance : gov.ie

Organization : Government of Ireland
Facility Name : Apply for Back to Education Allowance
Country : Ireland
Website : https://www.gov.ie/en/service/418e3f-back-to-education-allowance/

What is Back to Education Allowance?

Back to Education Allowance is only paid for courses that start in Ireland or in Northern Ireland. However, you can be paid Back to Education Allowance for a year abroad if the year is an integral or mandatory part of your course. This must be verified by the registrar or admissions office of your college. If you are unemployed, parenting alone or have a disability and are getting certain payments from the department, you may take part in a second-or third-level education course in Ireland or Northern Ireland and get a Back to Education Allowance.

Related / Similar Status : Government of Ireland Apply for Illness Benefit Scheme

How To Qualify For Back To Education Allowance?

** You must be at least 21 years of age to get Back to Education Allowance (24 years of age if applying for a postgraduate course).
** If attending a second-level course, you must have been on one of the below for 3 months or more.
** If you are receiving One-Parent Family Payment you must be aged at least 18 years.

If attending a third-level course, you must have been getting one of the below payments for 9 months or more:
** Jobseeker’s Allowance or Jobseeker’s Benefit
** Jobseeker’s Transitional Payment
** Farm Assist
** One-Parent Family Payment
** Deserted Wife’s Benefit or Allowance
** Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s (Contributory) Pension
** Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s (Non-contributory) Pension
** Prisoner’s Wife’s Allowance
** Carer’s Allowance
** Blind Pension
** Disability Allowance
** Invalidity Pension
** Incapacity Supplement (based on a life Disablement Pension)
** Illness Benefit

** You do not have to have been getting your qualifying payment continuously.
** You can have a break of up to 12 months from the payment, but you must be on the payment immediately before starting the course.
** Time spent on Youthreach can count towards the qualifying period if you can establish an entitlement to a qualifying social welfare payment before or after completing the Youthreach programme.

Additional information:
** You may be eligible for support for your student services charge or tuition fees under the student grant scheme run by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI).
** You may not receive the BTEA and a maintenance grant from SUSI at the same time

How To Apply for Back To Education Allowance?

If you are getting one of the following:

** Jobseeker’s payment
** Farm Assist
** One-Parent Family Payment

Application Form: https://assets.gov.ie/34307/dc7a224c23e9494caaa434e133e74d0b.pdf

Send your application form to your local Intreo Centre or Social Welfare Branch Office.

Payment Rate of Back To Education Allowance

** The rate of payment is the same as the benefit you were getting before receiving Back to Education Allowance.
** If you were receiving Jobseeker’s Benefit, then you will receive the same amount under Back to Education Allowance.
** If you have a dependent child, you can get an annual Cost of Education Allowance of €500.