Surge in welfare recipients seeking education allowance

THERE has been a massive surge in the number of people on social welfare accessing a special payment to go back to education.

Figures from the Department of Social and Family Affairs show an 88% increase in those receiving the back-to-education allowance (BTEA) scheme, rising from 10,854 at the end of November 2008 to 20,418 at the end of November 2009.

The BTEA plan is for unemployed people, lone parents and people with disabilities who are getting certain welfare payments.