Redundancy & Back to College - Are we entitled to any benefits/assistance?

[octoberdaisy]

Hi All

Looking for advice/opinions here please. My husband was made redundant in July 2012 and has returned to full time education through Springboard. His JSB is due to finish in April 2013 and it looks like we will not be entitled to any benefits/assistance after that.
He has been refused BTEA as the course is distance learning even though the college has provided a letter stating full time study is required to complete the modules taken (we were not prepared to be refused back to education allowance).

It is going to be extremely difficult for us to survive on my salary alone; we've already made cut backs (second car off the road) in as many areas as possible.

Have we overlooked anything?
Also does the means test for JBA take into account existing mortgage, car loans, and personal loans or will it be purely based on my salary.

I would dearly love for him to continue with his education and as few years hardship would be worth the benefit of up-skilling for the future but this option is looking increasingly difficult if there is no form of assistance available.

Thanks for reading. Opinions/advice welcome.

 

[gipimann]

Loans and mortgage payments are not taken into account for the Jobseeker's means test, just the household income and savings.

 

[octoberdaisy]

thank you.

Difficult to understand how this is a true means test ....

Do you know approximately what salary level would mean we do not qualify for JSA?

 

[Mrmr]

Similar situation I know of with JB which ran out just after starting distance education with Springboard. There are no supports for Springboard outside of the existing social welfare framework, and the means test for JBA is available on Citizens information.ie . It is based on gross or net alone and not including any mortgage or childcare outgoings.

The only other things I could suggest are FIS and medical card may help you? Medical card will give you a reduced USC payment and access to community childcare subvention if that is relevant for you, and make sure your other half has the home carers credit or appropriate tax bands. Also make sure your other half applies for JA, and then signs for credits to enable him to continue the next year of the course as signing for credits is usually a requirement.