The Department of Further and Higher Education has confirmed that parents or guardians who have been in receipt of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) can have their child's SUSI application reassessed if their rate is reduced or stopped over the coming weeks.
The student scheme offers funding based on eligibility for anyone returning to college - from those who have just completed their Leaving Cert to mature students.
The PUP payment is included in the total income of a household under the grant's conditions, and so some students may not have been eligible for 100% of the funding - due to parents or guardians receiving the state payment.
Today, the Department has confirmed that should the parents or guardians on an application begin to receive a reduced rate of the PUP or be taken off altogether, the student can apply to be reassessed for the grant by claiming a ‘change in circumstances.'
Giving an example of an acceptable scenario that could increase a person's SUSI funding, the Department explained;
‘John will begin a PLC course in 2021/22. He is an independent student which means that his 2020 income and that of his spouse is counted for grant assessment purposes. John meets all SUSI eligibility criteria.
‘In 2020, John received the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment and his income was €16,000. His spouse’s income was €25,000. The total household income for 2020 is €41,000.
‘When assessed on the total household income for 2020, John is eligible for the 50% rate of student maintenance.
‘In 2021, John received the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment up to September and will begin a part-time job in mid-September.
'His estimated income from the part-time job is €400 per month making his projected income for 2021 €4,800 (€400×12=€4,800). His spouse’s estimated income in 2021 is €27,000. The total estimated household income for 2021 is €31,800.
‘When assessed on the total estimated household income for 2021, John is eligible for the 100% rate of student maintenance.
‘If John requests a re-assessment of his SUSI application under change of circumstances, he will receive a better rate of funding.’
Following the announcement this afternoon, Minister Simon Harris said he ‘hopes and expects this option to be reassessed will help many.’
Applicants who have already been awarded the maximum funding available should not request a re-assessment of their application under ‘change in circumstances,' as it will not result in more funding.
