Back to Education Allowance
Lets you return to full-time second- or third-level education while keeping a weekly payment, instead of your jobseeker or other qualifying payment.
- Type
- Means-tested
- Paid
- Every week
- Taxable
- No
- Administered by
- Department of Social Protection
How much is Back to Education Allowance?
The same rate as your previous social welfare payment
Your weekly BTEA rate equals the social welfare payment you were getting before you started the course, and you may also qualify for increases for a qualified adult and qualified children. The €254 figure often quoted is not a standard rate — it is the level people aged under 25 on a reduced Jobseeker's Allowance rate are brought up to.
Who can get Back to Education Allowance
- You must be getting a qualifying social welfare payment for a minimum period before the course starts.
- The course must be full-time and lead to a recognised qualification.
- You must be at least 21, or 24 for postgraduate courses, with some exceptions.
The Back to Education Allowance means test
You must already be getting a qualifying payment. The Allowance replaces it rather than being separately means-tested.
How your savings are assessed
All means-tested payments except Disability Allowance, Carer's Allowance and Supplementary Welfare Allowance.
| Capital | Weekly means assessed |
|---|---|
| First €20,000 | Nil |
| Next €10,000 | €1 per €1,000 |
| Next €10,000 | €2 per €1,000 |
| Balance | €4 per €1,000 |
Capital means your savings, investments, stocks, shares and any property other than your own home. Your own home is never assessed. Capital belonging to a spouse, civil partner or cohabitant is included.
Things people get caught by
- You cannot hold the SUSI maintenance grant and Back to Education Allowance together — you must choose.
- Apply before the course starts. Applications after enrolment are frequently refused.
What else you might get
Payments interact. These are the ones that commonly go with Back to Education Allowance.
- Jobseeker's Allowance
The most common qualifying payment.
- Working Family Payment
Not paid alongside BTEA.