Written answers

Tuesday, 3 November 2015

Department of Social Protection

Social Welfare Benefits Eligibility

Photo of John BrowneJohn Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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232. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the position of persons who are receiving the back to education allowance, and how this affects their contribution record and future payment of jobseeker's benefit; if a person (details supplied) in Dublin 17 will be entitled to jobseeker's benefit, if required, after the course is completed, if the person's credits are used while on the allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38037/15]

Photo of Joan BurtonJoan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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With effect from 1 January 2015, signing days will not be frozen for new applicants for jobseeker’s benefit (JB) who are approved for the back to education allowance (BTEA); the JB cumulative days of entitlement continue to be counted while in receipt of the BTEA.

The person concerned was approved for JB from 1st June 2015 and entitlement to benefit will continue for 9 months including the period the client is in receipt of BTEA. The client may be entitled to make a new claim for JB when the current claim is exhausted if the client is working while studying and is maintaining a record of paid contributions. In this instance the person may requalify for JB if:

- s/he has paid 13 contributions at the appropriate class after date of expiry of 156 days of JB and

- s/he satisfies the second contribution condition (GCY) with sufficient contributions in the relevant contribution year and

- s/he meets all other statutory conditions.

In the event that s/he does not quality for JB, a client may make a claim for jobseeker’s allowance (JA) or credits in order to continue to qualify for BTEA to finish out the course.

The Department will write automatically to the person concerned 6 weeks before the JB exhausts to notify the person that they are reaching the end of their benefit entitlement. The letter offers the person the choice of claiming JA or credits and includes an application form for the assessment of means.

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