U-19 Incentive Payment

Hi Jean

I've noticed the same discrepancy / shortfall on our payment this month. I've just submitted a query to the helpdesk so will see what response I get.

Thanks Jim.  Please could you let me know what they say.

Thank you

Morning

We have a £500 shortfall too 

Morning Gill,

It looks as if they are now paying direct to employer.  Hopefully Jim has a response soon and can update us

Hi

I've not had anything back yet from my query (it's a bit late to expect one tbh).

If they're now paying directly to the employers that would make sense, but I've not seen that communicated anywhere - where has this been announced? I've obviously missed it.

Thanks

Jim

Hi Jim,

I read it in an update somewhere late last year or early this year - possibly on one of the weekly updates - but no date had been put on it for implementation. 

Luckily I haven't sent the payment to the employer as yet

Hi Jean

Response received - payments will be made on 31st:

"We are aware of a delay to a small number of apprenticeship payments and to the production of some remittance statements. The payment delay relates to the 2023/24 R13 and 2024/25 R02 care leaver bursary and incentive payments for employers.

We have resolved the issue, and the delayed payments will be made by 31st October 2024 together with issuing of remittance statements for these."

No mention that the EIPs will start being paid directly in future. Think that's risky because of the potential for clawbacks so I'd be surprised if the ESFA decides to go down that route. They can recall provider payments easily if a learner leaves, by adjusting the following month's payment, but if they pay directly to employers then they'd have to invoice them each time, which would put a large administrative burden on them.

Thanks

Jim

Hi Jim,

Thank you for letting me know.  You're probably right - I hadn't thought about any clawbacks.  They've probably had a re-think

Thanks again

Jean