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Back to Education Allowance: Who Qualifies and What You Get

Learn how the Back to Education Allowance helps you keep your welfare payments while you study full-time.

The Back to Education Allowance is a support designed to help you continue receiving welfare payments while you commit to full-time studies.

Who it's for

This scheme is for individuals who are currently receiving social welfare payments and wish to return to full-time education.

What you get

If approved, this allowance allows you to keep receiving your regular welfare payment while you are busy studying.

What it costs you

There is no direct monetary cost to apply, but you must receive official approval for the allowance before you actually start your course.

The catch to know

You cannot apply the moment you decide to study; you must have been receiving a qualifying welfare payment for a specific period of time before you are eligible to apply.

How to apply

  1. Ensure you are receiving a qualifying social welfare payment.
  2. Check that you have met the required duration of payments before applying.
  3. Apply for approval before your course begins.
  4. Visit the official portal for more details: https://www.gov.ie/en/service/back-to-education-allowance/