The person concerned made a claim for Jobseeker's Allowance (JA) on 5 January 2009 at Coolock Local Office. The JA claim was awarded and paid for 203 days to 15 September 2009. His JA claim was suspended on 17 September 2009 as he has not signed since then. The person advised the Local Office that he was moving to London. The person applied for a Back to Education Allowance, Third Level Option to attend London Metropolitan University to study for a degree in Musical Instruments. Full-time undergraduate courses in the United Kingdom and other European Union countries which are recognised for Higher Education Grant purposes may also be considered for the Back to Education Allowance (BTEA). This course is recognised for Higher Education Grant purposes, and may be considered for BTEA.
To qualify for the Back to Education Allowance, Third Level Option (TLO) certain qualifying conditions have to be satisfied immediately prior to the commencement of the first year of the course:
(a) The person must be at least 21 years of age and
(b) Be in receipt of Jobseeker's Allowance or Benefit (or certain other payments) for at least 12 months (312 days) for TLO.
(c) TLO may be approved at 9 months (234 days), if the person is a participant in the Employment Activation Programme or if the course is approved by the local Facilitator.
The application for Back to Education Allowance in the 2009/2010 year was refused as the person had only been paid for 203 days and therefore did not meet the qualifying criteria.