Benefit for returning to school?

Press, 16 April 1981, Page 20

Benefit for returning to school?

PA Wellington People who attend special short-term pre-employment courses at secondary schools or community colleges, and adults who return to secondary school full-time, may now be eligible for emergency unemployment benefit, says the Minister of Social Welfare (Mr Gair). The new policy had resulted from the Government’s recognition of the difficulty people without 1 qualifications or trade skills were having finding employment, Mr Gair said. It follows up a recent: announcement covering assistance to post-primary pupils over 18, payable until the end of the school year in which they turn 20. Mr Gair said the first of the two groups to be eligible to receive assistance from the new policy were young people attending pre-empioy-ment courses at secondary schools and community colleges, which improved workrelated skills, motivation, and employment prospects. The students must have been unemployed for at least four weeks, and have made efforts to find work, he said. •„ group would receive

an emergency unemployment benefit, as well as an extra allowance of up to $5 a week which could be paid towards the cost, of travel, course fees, and related expenses. The current maximum rates of emergency unemployment benefit are $43.08 a week if under 20, $56.58 a •week if over 20, and $96.54 a week if married. ? Mr Gair said the second group took in adults who were unemployed and returned to -secondary school full-time- ‘to * gain qualifications to: •: improve their . chances, ofiobtafning work.If they] were hot eligible for tertiary assistance; other State-funded grants or social welfare benefits, they might receive an emergency benefit at an amount equivalent to the tertiary study grant, depending upon their income and assets.. • / • The maximum amount which .would be paid was $23 a week for a single person and $B6 a week if married.' , People in this category must be studying for a recognised post-primary qualification, such as School Cer-> tificate, Sixth Form Certificate, University Entrance, or Trade Certification Board Certificate, Mr Gair said.