Hi Joe,
 
We've had similar confusion this week at our centres. 
 
What we understand is if the main spouse (or "principal" ordinarily resident) is a UK or EU citizen and has been resident in the UK for 3 years then their Non-EU / Non-EEA family member/dependant spouse is eligible for courses regardless of how long they have been in the UK.
 
Where we have found it gets confusing is if they are a Non-EU/EEA citizen or Non-EAA citizen (- these 2 categories were in the table on page 89 of the funding rules, though I think one is a typing error).  It doesn't matter how many years over the 3 year residence the Non-EU / Non-EEA principal resident has been in the UK, their Non-EU / Non-EEA family member must be here 3 years minimum.  We've had a lot of difficulties with new learners accepting this, especially those who were granted entry to the UK on high professional visas but can't find work and can't apply for courses to gain UK qualifications to help them find work.
 
Hope this helps.
 
Liz

From: Joe Freeman <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Friday, 30 August 2013, 10:39
Subject: Funding rules and non-EEA spouses

Hello,
 
I’ve read through the 2.1 version of the funding rules and I can’t see the section (which was there in previous years) saying that non-EEA spouses of EEA nationals only need to be in the UK one year before becoming eligible for funding.
 
Have I missed something or does this group also now need to be resident for three years before becoming eligible?
 
Thanks!
Joe
 
Joe Freeman
Adult Learning Coordinator
Westway Development Trust
1 Thorpe Close
London
W10 5XL
 
T: 020 8962 5744
F: 020 8969 5936
M: 0791 784 7988
E: [log in to unmask]
 
Westway Development Trust
Enhancing local lives through Enterprise & Opportunity, Sports & Fitness, Education & Arts.
 
 
Westway Development Trust, Enhancing Local Lives
Enterprise & Opportunity, Sports & Fitness, Education & Arts
***********************************************************************************
Notices and disclaimers
This communication is private and for the intended recipients only. If this e-mail has been sent to you in error, we apologise and ask that you delete the message immediately and inform the sender accordingly. This e-mail may not represent the views of Westway Development Trust and reliance may not necessarily be placed upon its content. E-mail transmission is not guaranteed to be secure, complete, error free or virus free. No liability can be accepted in respect of any of the above. The Trust may monitor the use of e-mail and intercept communications on its servers. E-mails sent and received may be read as permitted by Law.
Westway Development Trust is a company limited by guarantee, registered number 6475436, registered charity number 1123127. Registered office: 1 Thorpe Close, London W10 5XL.
P Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail
*********************************** ESOL-Research is a forum for researchers and practitioners with an interest in research into teaching and learning ESOL. ESOL-Research is managed by James Simpson at the Centre for Language Education Research, School of Education, University of Leeds. To join or leave ESOL-Research, visit http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/ESOL-RESEARCH.html A quick guide to using Jiscmail lists can be found at: http://jiscmail.ac.uk/help/using/quickuser.htm To contact the list owner, send an email to [log in to unmask]


*********************************** ESOL-Research is a forum for researchers and practitioners with an interest in research into teaching and learning ESOL. ESOL-Research is managed by James Simpson at the Centre for Language Education Research, School of Education, University of Leeds. To join or leave ESOL-Research, visit http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/ESOL-RESEARCH.html A quick guide to using Jiscmail lists can be found at: http://jiscmail.ac.uk/help/using/quickuser.htm To contact the list owner, send an email to [log in to unmask]