Young people urged to apply now for Education Maintenance Allowance

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16 to 19 year olds urged to apply for Education Maintenance Allowance

Information checked 17/01/08

Parents are being urged to help their children apply for Education Maintenance Allowances (EMA). Although there is no deadline for applications, children should apply as soon as possible to make sure they are not missing out.

Under the scheme, young people who continue their studies from age 16 up to 19 in a wide range of courses, such as vocational courses up to NVQ level 3 or academic courses like A levels or GCSE retakes at school or college, will be eligible for the means-tested payment.

What are the key features of EMA?

Weekly payments bands of £30, £20 and £10 per week, depending on household income (to qualify your household income must not be more than £30,810 before tax)
Bonus payments of £100 (worth up to £500 in total over 2 years)
No other household benefits are affected
Young people can still have a part-time job

In order to apply, young people need to follow the five-step application procedure:

Pick up an orange application form from school, college, Connexions centres or by calling 080 810 16219 or logging onto www.direct.gov.uk/ema
EMA will be paid directly into a young person's bank account and so if they haven't got an account, they should set one up and obtain a statement or ask the bank to fill in the relevant part of the application pack to verify the account.
Parents/carers need to fill in parts of the application form and provide evidence of household income in the last financial year. This will normally be the current year's Tax Credits Award Notice (TCAN) from HM Revenue and Customs.
Once the form is correctly completed and returned to the Assessment and Payment Body, a 'Notice of Entitlement' will be sent to the young person, which will explain how much the young person can receive.
The young person should take the 'Notice of Entitlement' Contract Part 1 to their school/college and sign an 'EMA contract' agreeing to be paid in return for regular attendance and commitment to their course.

Further information

For more information visit the EMA website at www.direct.gov.uk/ema or call free on 080 810 16219 (some mobile operators may charge for calls made to this number).

If you live in Wales, visit this website: www.studentfinancewales.co.uk

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