Employability Fund & ESA

Witch_Hazel

Son 18 on Income based employment and support allowance in the support group, gets £120 ish per week.

Hoping to start a training course via SDS (skills development scotland) and they are talking about employability fund which is £55 per week.

How does this work? Does he come off esa altogether, or do they pay the £55 per week and then deduct this from his esa.

TIA for any advice

rogerblack

Is this training course described as part, or full time?

Witch_Hazel

rogerblack wrote: »

Is this training course described as part, or full time?

I think it is a full time training course. Have proper meeting on Monday so will know full details then.

Thanks.

pmlindyloo

You just need to wait until the meeting on Monday. Just ask the question 'What will happen to the ESA and will the payment count as income?'

I have researched and researched but this is peculiar to Scotland and there is very little information about how it affects benefits.

Witch_Hazel

I think I may have found my answer but will ask the questions on Monday.

Will I get paid?
There is training allowance of £55 per week plus, if you are eligible, help towards travel costs.

If you are over 18 years of age and are in receipt of benefits, payments may continue whilst you attend the programme.

If you progress into employment, your new employer may also be able to qualify for some assistance with your wages, and/or assistance with further costs of training required. This can be a help to you when you are speaking to potential employers.

http://www.youtrain.com/employability-fund/

rogerblack

If it is a full time course, and your son is not on DLA or PIP, my understanding is that he cannot claim ESA while on this course at all.
It's not a case that the 55 quid will be deducted, he simply won't be entitled.

Witch_Hazel

Found more via SDS website
https://www.providercentral.org.uk/nmsruntime/saveasdialog.aspx?lID=1757...


Q7.10
Where a participant is in receipt of DLA & ESA what happens to their benefits when they go on EF?

A7.10
For those in receipt of DLA they will continue to receive DLA for the duration of their training.

For those in receipt of ESA they have the choice of whether to remain on their ESA or transfer to a training allowance. There are no guarantees that their participation on EF will not affect later decisions on their fitness for work which is determined by the DWP, ESA team. We would recommend that referral organisations have a discussion with DWP locally to make them aware of the contact they have with the individual and make arrangements for them to attend the jobcentre to ensure a smooth transition.

rogerblack

Witch_Hazel wrote: »

Found more via SDS website
www.providercentral.org.uk/nmsruntime/saveasdialog.aspx?lID=1757...

Same document - 2.10 'those ... on ESA... need to have their benefit converted into a training allowance... not all individuals will have an entitlement'

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/297539/dmgch41.pdf

41091 'Additional conditions for ESA-IR'
'7. Not be recieving education'.

This is defined in 41556 and on.
'You're in education if you're on a course of study'.

41567 and on define the conditions for scotland - as I understand it these apply, and mean he's not entitled.

Witch_Hazel

Relevant education

This means you are :-
aged under 20, and
in non-advanced education or approved training that you started before you were 19, and
your course is of 12 or more hours a week.

Income related ESA

You cannot usually get IRESA if you are studying in relevant education or if you are a full-time student.

However, you can still qualify for this benefit if you receive DLA or PIP.

So from the above if i am reading correctly he will still be entitled to his IRESA and do his approved training course as he gets DLA. He wont be entitled to the employability fund.
http://www.turn2us.org.uk/information__resources/benefits/young_people/young_people_and_benefits.aspx

Witch_Hazel

Finally got answer for my query. DEA has stated son can stay on ESA whilst on training course.