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Continuity of Education Allowance: frequently asked questionsParents considering boarding education often have a number of questions they wish to ask.
Below are some of the frequently asked questions to which CEAS staff have provided answers. Continuity of Education Allowance: frequently asked questions
Eligibility
Q: How old does my child have to be before I can claim the allowance for them?
A: You can claim CEA for a child from the academic year that they are eight years old. Q: What school can I send my child to?
A: Any school on the Accredited Schools’ Database, appropriate for your child’s age and sex, will attract the allowance. Q: Why do I have to give my family address history in section 1 of the CEA Eligibility Certificate?
A: The family address history shows a commitment to family mobility, which is a key consideration in granting CEA. The application process
Q: How do I obtain a CEA Eligibility Certificate?
A: Contact the CEAS office by phone (01980 618244 or mil 94344 8244), fax (01980 618245 or mil 94344 8245) or email enquiries@ceas.detsa.co.uk. CEAS will take some initial details from you and issue your uniquely numbered application form(s) to you. Q: What information does CEAS require before it can issue a CEA Eligibility Certificate?
A: CEAS needs to know the name and date of birth of the child for whom the claim is being made. We will also need the name, rank, service and service number of the serving parent and the address, fax number or email address for the form to be sent to. Q: How long does the application process take?
A: The application process may take up to 15 weeks. A time-line sheet will be sent out with all CEA Eligibility Certificate packs. Q: When do I need to complete a CEA Eligibility Certificate?
A: A new CEA Eligibility Certificate must be completed: a) for initial claims for each child b) on a change of school thereafter c) at the beginning of each new assignment (posting) for the claimant d) when the certificate is three years old e) on change of PStat Category. Q: Why does my CO have to sign the CEA Eligibility Certificate?
A: The CO (or their formally delegated representative) is required to conduct an Entitlement Check on each application. Q: Why does my family need to move for me to retain entitlement?
A: CEA is there to provide continuity of education to Service children whose education would otherwise be disrupted due to Service-induced mobility. If the family is not moving with the Service person the children’s education could be provided in the state-maintained day sector and therefore CEA would not be required. It is not a subsidy to pay towards the cost of private education. Q: Can I live in my own home and still be eligible for CEA?
A: Yes, provided that the home is within 50 miles of the current duty station, and on the understanding that should you be assigned more than 50 miles from your home, both you and your family will move to the new assignment station. What can I claim?
Q: How much is the parental contribution?
A: This will depend on the fees at your chosen school. As a parent you will have to make a minimum contribution of 10% of the fees per term. Therefore, for a child at a school that attracts the senior allowance (£5,833) the following contributions would be made:
Q: What are admissible extras?
A: These are additional charges that can be claimed by CEA claimants if they are not already receiving the full allowance. A list of the admissible extras can be found in JSP 752 Ch 9, and can be claimed to make up the difference between the allowance paid in respect of the fees and the full allowance. Q: Can I claim for travel costs to take my child(ren) to school?
A: You can claim for three return journeys (Service Children’s Visit (SCV)) per year. A parental contribution 50 miles of each journey (or 100 miles for a return journey) must be made. If you have two or more children attending the same school, they should normally travel together to and from school. You may claim one SCV per child, but only one parental contribution need be made. There is no assistance towards travel costs for children who are day pupils. Q: Can I claim for the purchase of school uniform?
A: No. Q: Can I claim for school trips, visits or holidays?
A: No. Q: We live overseas. Can my child be escorted to the port/airport?
A: Some children with Special Needs may be entitled to a professional escort to and from their school to the port/airport of exit. Please contact CEAS for more details. n |
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