Leeway on parameters for back to education allowance?

[noname!]

Hi all, I'm actually posting on behalf of a family member.
The person in question wants to return to a full time education course in September 2012. Having gone through the conditions to be eligible for the B.T.E.A we have noted that one needs to be receiving jobs seekers allowance for "9 months (234 days of unemployment)"prior to starting the course to qualify for the scheme. Unfortunately my family member will have only been receiving it for 213 days approximately. But has been out sick from her previous employment for over a year. Is there anyway that she could qualify? If so who should we talk to on this matter? A community officer is what I was thinking myself?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

[Ildánach]

You can combine periods on different social welfare payments over the past 5 years to make up the 9 months, provided that not more than 52 weeks separates the different claims.

If your relative was in receipt of Illness Benefit while out sick, and this wasn't more than a year prior to her receiving Jobseekers, then she should qualify.

See here for more details: http://www.welfare.ie/EN/OperationalGuidelines/Pages/bte_all.aspx#1.11