Q : When can I start claiming ELC?

A: If you have registered on the ELC scheme and have been serving since 1st April 2000 you have been entitled to start claiming at the £1,000 level from 1st April 2004, and at the £2,000 level from 1st April 2008.

Q : Joint Service Publication (JSP) 898,Part 4, Chapter 3 states the course must be of a level 3 or above. What does level 3 mean?

A: That the course is on the national qualifications framework at this level; it could be an A-level, or an NVQ 3 or an equivalent award. You may also use ELC to fund anything above this, like university modules, or nationally recognised diplomas.

Q : How do I know if the course I want to do is level 3 or above?

A: For some courses this will be very obvious. The qualifications offered by institutes, and some specialist courses, may not be so clear. You should ask the training provider to confirm the level with the awarding body that accredits the course. Most qualifications can be found in the British Qualifications Directory or on the National Database of Accredited Qualifications website at www.accreditedqualifications.org.uk.

Q : Can I use ELC for any course?

A: No. If you are still serving, the course must be level 3 or above, and it must be with an approved provider listed on the dedicated ELC website. The website address is www.enhancedlearningcredits.co.uk. The course must also be of benefit to the Service, to meet tax office guidelines.

Q : What does the JSP mean by vocational courses?

A: These are courses that are job or skill specific, like NVQs which have to be completed in the workplace, or through a college with work placements. You are assessed on the job and build up a portfolio of evidence showing you are competent in the role. Often they can be very hands-on courses, like plumbing, welding, heating, and ventilating courses, which lead to qualifications required for very specific trades.

Q : Can I use ELC for a sports course?

A: If you are planning on an instructor or coaching course, it could be permissible but, if the course can be taken through local tri-Service arrangements, it will not be allowed. You would also have to present evidence as to how you would use the sports qualification to the benefit of the Service and how you are currently involved in that sport. The training provider would need to be on the approved list of providers (see below).

Q : What do you mean by resettlement phase?

A: After an individual has completed an MOD Form 1173.

Q : Why does learning have to be of benefit to the Service?

A: HM Revenue & Customs rules are that any money provided for personal development has to be of immediate benefit to the Armed Forces and the individual, or the MoD would be liable for tax.

Q : If I do a module for £450 can I use the rest of my £1,000 or £2,000 later in the same financial year for a different course?

A: No, ELC is a ‘one hit’ claim per year.

Q : Can I use SLC in the same financial year that I use ELC?

A: Yes, if it is not for the same course of study.

Q : Where can I find the list of approved training providers?

A: You can search the ELCAS website by name to see if the provider has already been approved. You can also check through the total list.

Q : If a company is on the approved training provider list, can I do any of their courses?

A: No; only the courses that meet the criteria in JSP 898 Part 4, Chapter 3 – at level 3 and above.

Q : If I left the Service before 1st April 2008 and I had not used my ELC, will I be able to claim £1,000 per year or £2,000?

A: It would remain at the £1,000 level. You must accumulate eight years of qualifying service before being eligible for higher tier of ELC. This can only be achieved whilst serving.

Q : Can I secure my place on a course and pay a deposit before starting the claims process?

A: You should not part with any money without approval from your education staff, or a letter from ELCAS giving you a claim authorisation note.

Q : I am working in an overseas location that has no education staff anywhere near it. Who can I get to authorise my claim?

A: Each single Service has made arrangements to help people serving overseas who do not have the normal education facilities available. Your unit administrative staff will have the necessary details.

Q : I am working in an overseas location that has no education/learning staff anywhere near it. Who can I get to authorise my claim?

A: Each single Service has made arrangements to help people serving overseas who do not have the normal education facilities available. Your unit administrative staff will have the necessary details.

Q : I am not going to be able to see my education/learning staff face to face as I am on an operational tour. What can I do?

A: You should telephone your usual education/learning centre to discuss your position.

Q : Can I get my line manager or unit staff to authorise my claim?

A: No. Line managers and unit staff are eligible to sign registration forms and they must also sign claim forms. Final authorisation must be given by an education/learning officer whose name is on the ELCAS database. If in doubt, check at your education/learning centre.

Q : What do I need to take with me when I go to see the education/learning staff?

A: All the information about the course you wish to study. Also take a training and development plan (from your PDR) and a claim form signed by your line manager.

Q : Do I pay up front and claim the money back?

A: No. Refer to the flow chart on the back of JSP 898 Part 4, Chapter 3. ELC pay up to 80% of course costs to a maximum of either £1,000 or £2,000. The individual pays the rest up front; but only once they have a claim authorisation note from ELCAS.

Q : When I have left the Service, who do I contact for a claim form?

A: Refer to the website for a claim form. Claims will be authorised by single Services.

Q : What will happen if I get deployed during my course and I can't continue with it?

A: You need to inform ELCAS as soon as possible. You must get a letter from your line manager explaining why you cannot continue and forward this to ELCAS at the time of withdrawal.

Q : When I want to take a course, do I have to discuss it with my line manager?

A: Yes, you need to be supported by your line manager. They will be best placed to know if work commitments are likely to allow that level of study. A good time to discuss this is during your appraisal when drawing up your training and development plan. You also need their signature on the claim form before an interview with education/learning staff.

Q : My location and discharge date have changed since I registered for ELC. Do I need to contact ELCAS to inform them?

A: No; they can make changes to your details when you make a claim. You do, however, need to inform them if you leave the Service and later rejoin. You can get a form from the website to record periods of interrupted service.

Q : I have not yet received confirmation of acceptance from ELCAS that I am registered. What should I do?

A: Telephone the ELCAS helpline on 0845 300 5179, and give your name and service number to confirm if you are registered.

Q : Can I use SLC to pay for an exam relating to the course of study being funded by ELC?

A: No.

Q : Can I use my Individual Resettlement Training Costs (IRTC) and ELC to fund the same course of study leading to achievement of a nationally qualified qualification?

A: Yes. The policy has changed. For courses that started on or after 1st September 2008 it was permissible to use IRTC with ELC or SLC (but not both) to fund a learning activity during resettlement if, in all instances, the criteria of the relevant learning credit schemes is met. For example, IRTC may be used with ELC but only during resettlement and to fund a nationally recognised higher level qualification (level 3 or above) delivered by an approved ELC learning provider.

Q : Do I still need to make a 20% minimum personal contribution towards the cost of the qualification course during resettlement if I am using IRTC with SLC/ELC to fund the same activity?

A: In the first instance yes, because you are required to submit a claim in accordance with the current ELC regulations. You may subsequently submit an IRTC claim in accordance with resettlement policy to claim your IRTC grant in full or part to help pay towards the cost of the higher level learning. However, under these circumstances only, it is permissible for Service leavers to use IRTC to pay, in part or in full, the mandated 20% personal contribution element.

Q : This doesn’t seem fair, why only under these circumstances during resettlement am I allowed not to make a personal contribution?

A: Demonstrating a commitment to learning and personal development is a fundamental principle of the Armed Forces learning credit schemes. For the most part the use of learning credits is aimed at developing people in-Service to the benefit of both the Forces and the individual. For Service leavers undergoing resettlement it makes sense to use all the available funding to help pay the costs of undertaking qualifications and, where feasible, rationalise learning credit regulations with the resettlement rules. In addition, for the majority of cases and especially for more expensive higher level learning courses, the principle of personal contribution is preserved as most claimants will make some element of contribution that often exceeds the 20% minimum.

Q : Since I can’t use any unused ELCs later in the financial year for a different higher course; can I carry forward any outstanding IRTC grant balance?

A: In accordance with resettlement regulations you can use any balance of IRTC to pay for another resettlement activity. This is because IRTC is a grant up to a maximum figure so each individual is guaranteed an allowance to a maximum level to use as they choose until it is spent. ELC and SLC are not entitlements in that sense. The Armed Forces, rather, make a contribution to the actual cost of learning up to a maximum limit as described in the scheme regulations. For ELC this is based on a ‘one hit’ claim per year, although for SLC multiple claims can be submitted in each financial year up to the maximum credit value which is currently £175.

Q : How do I know whether I should use ELC or SLC plus IRTC in resettlement to pay towards the cost of learning?

A: It depends on the cost of the learning activity and whether it meets the criteria of the various schemes. It makes sense to optimise the funding available but talk this through with your resettlement adviser if you are unsure about the best route. In all cases it makes sense to maximise the use of learning credits up to their full value for which a claimant is eligible, before considering using IRTC to pay towards the same course. It doesn’t make sense to waste any of the value of learning credits.

Q : What information is available to ensure that I use the correct combinations of IRTC and learning credits to maximise their value during resettlement?

A: Service resettlement advisers (SRA) have access to the latest advice and guidance and should be consulted in the first instance. SRA have been given an IRTC/learning credit calculator that may also help to determine the net worth of the funding options and allow Service leavers to make an informed decision on which, and in what order, IRTC and learning credits can be used most efficiently.

Q : How do I submit a claim? Do I use a new form?

A: Having decided if it is to your advantage to use IRTC with ELC or SLC you follow exactly the same process as before. For ELC the application form has been slightly amended and you are asked to tick a box indicating whether you will also claim IRTC for the same course of study. Otherwise you submit a claim as you do now having calculated your 20% minimum personal contribution. As for IRTC you can decide whether to claim up to 80% in advance of your grant or wait until after the course has completed to claim back your IRTC entitlement which may contribute in full or part towards refunding your 20% personal contribution. You will have to ask the provider to provide you with a clear invoice detailing the separate course fee elements.

Q : Can I only use SLC with IRTC to pay for examination fees?

A: No, you can use it towards any recognised national qualification or any of the other permitted uses laid out in the SLC JSP.

Q : What happens if I am made redundant?

A: No-one is entitled to ELC. You become eligible to claim ELC by meeting several criteria including length of qualifying service. People made redundant, irrespective of whether they have registered an interest or not in being made redundant, and who have registered with the ELC scheme, will cease to accrue service for ELC eligibility on the day they leave service. Those who have accrued four or more years’ service since registering on the ELC scheme by the last day of service will be eligible to claim ELC at the lower tier (£1,000) and those who have accrued eight or more years’ service since registering on the ELC scheme by the last day of service will be eligible to claim ELC at the higher tier (£2,000), subject to meeting the other conditions associated with the ELC scheme. Moreover, that rate can be claimed for up to 10 years after termination of service. People made redundant before 31st Mar 2008 cannot accrue the minimum service required from the initial registration window to be eligible for the higher tier rate. People who have accrued less than four years’ service by the final date of service will not be eligible for ELC funding as they will not have achieved sufficient length of qualifying service.