FAQ - Training Bonus

FAQ: Training Bonus

[General Questions] [Social Welfare & Money] [Training Bonus] [After VTOS?]

A person on VTOS will qualify for a €31.80 bonus provided that they have not been engaged in paid work for at least 312 days(12 months) directly before the course commencement date. These include those in receipt of:

Unemployment Assistance and Unemployment Benefit
One Parent Family Allowance
Disability Allowance/Disability Benefit or Invalidity Pension
Blind Person's Pension
Deserted Wife's Allowance/Deserted Wife's Benefit
Widow/Widower's Contributory Pension
Widow/Widower's Non-Contributory Pension
Prisoner's Wife's Allowance

This is paid only to people who have been in receipt of Social Welfare payment for 312 days prior to joining VTOS.
The bonus is also paid during the Christmas/Easter and summer Holidays.

Note:

A person can combine eligible social welfare payments for the purpose of calculating the 312 days.
Time spent on any of the following can count towards the 312-day requirement but they must be consecutive days: CE Scheme, Job Initiative or FAS Programme.

Travel Allowance

A travel allowance is payable to those who live 3 miles or more from their VTOS centre.

Can I work while I am on VTOS?

VTOS is a full time programme. However, a student may work part-time provided work does not affect class attendance in any way. Working part-time or during the summer does not affect your VTOS payment.

Who is entitled to the Christmas Bonus?

The Christmas bonus is only paid to people who are on long-term unemployment payments. Time spent on VTOS or FAS/CE schemes could be added to time on UA or UB to make up the 391 days. This could mean you may not be entitled to a Christmas Bonus in your first year, but by the time you reach year 2 you will have accrued enough days. This year the bonus is to be 100% of an eligible students weekly payment. The €31.80 bonus payment, meals/travel, childcare payments, or fuel allowance are not taken into account when calculating the Christmas Bonus.

If I am on a half rate Unemployment Benefit (UB), do I continue to get the half rate or is the full rate paid?

If you were on a reduced rate of UB or Assistance, prior to starting VTOS, you will get a training allowance at a rate equivalent to the maximum rate of UB provided that it is your principal social welfare payment.

What happens if I am receiving One-Parent Family payment and have an entitlement to half-rate of UB?

The Department of Social and Family Affairs (social welfare) will continue to pay the One Parent Family Payment while you are on VTOS plus the half rate of UB for the remaining balance of the 390 days. You do not receive any allowance from the VEC.

What happens if my disability is cut while I am on VTOS?

If the Department decides you are no longer entitled to a Disability payment while on the course, the VEC will not continue to pay an allowance to the student. It is a matter for the VTOS student to decide if they can support themselves if they stay on VTOS if their disability payment is cut.

Where do I go to get forms signed for supplementary benefits (Rent Allowance, Medical Card etc.)?

If you need a stamp or a letter for any of your supplementary benefits, contact your VTOS Co-ordinator. She will either complete it for you or else refer you on to the VTOS Administrator in the VEC.

Will being on VTOS cost me anything else?

Courses are free.
All course materials and books are supplied