If your child stays in learning after the age of 16, Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) could give them up to £30.00 a week during term time to help with their costs and it won't affect any benefits you currently get.
The payment is paid straight into your child's bank account. So if they haven't got one already they will need to open one.
How much could my child get?
EMA comes in weekly payments of £10.00, £20.00 or £30.00. Your child will only receive it if they regularly attend and work hard on their course. On top of the weekly amount your child could also receive bonuses - but only if they continue to do well and meet targets set by their teacher, tutor or learning provider.
How does my child qualify for EMA?
Your child must be 16, 17 or 18 and have left, or be about to leave compulsory education (5 - 16 years old).
Your child must be enrolled on a course in England which is either:
If your child fits the above criteria then the amount they receive will be calculated by looking at your household income. If your child has a part-time job any money they earn is not included in the overall household income.
As an example, for your child to qualify for EMA for the academic year beginning in September 2010 your annual income for the tax year 2009/10 must have been below £30,810. See the table below:-
|
Your Household Income
(financial year 09/10)
|
How much EMA your child could get |
| Up to £20,817 per year |
£30.00 per week
|
| £20,818 - £25,521 per year |
£20.00 per week
|
| £25,522 - £30,810 per year |
£10.00 per week
|
| More than £30,810 per year |
No entitlement to EMA
|
Will my child claiming EMA affect my benefits?
EMA doesn't affect any benefits you may already claim so you can continue claiming Child Benefit, tax credits and other types of support.
If your child has children they could get EMA at the same time as 'Care to Learn' meaning that they could get extra help with childcare costs. More information is given under the Grants and Loans section.
My child already gets EMA - do they need to apply again?
If your child already receives EMA and they continue with their course, they may automatically be eligible for the same payments during 2010/11 - even if your household income has increased.
The 'EMA Guarantee' means you automatically get EMA payments at the same rate for up to 3 years, even if your household income goes up, and this applies up to the year in which your child reaches 19.
So if your child got EMA last year, they weren't doing an e2e programme and their circumstances have not changed, then they do not need to complete a form for 2010/11. All they need to do is enrol at their learning provider for 2010/11 and their EMA payments will continue.
Who needs to complete an EMA application form for 2010/11?
Your child will need to make an application if:
-
they have not applied for EMA before - or they were not previously entitled but may be now;
-
they got EMA before but think they may be entitled to a higher rate because circumstances have changed;
-
they got EMA previously because they were doing an Entry to Employment (e2e) programme.
How does my child apply for EMA?
Your child can apply for EMA at any time during the year, but if they want their payments backdated to the start of their course then they must send in their application within 28 days of the start date of their course.
- Request a 2010/11 EMA application pack online
- Call the Learner Support Helpline on 0800 121 8989
- Pick up an application pack at your child's school, college, learning provider or Connexions office.
Once your child has completed the EMA application form, parents or carers will need to send evidence of the household income. This could be your Tax Credit Award Notice (TC602) or your P60 for the relevant tax year. For 2010/11 EMA applications the relevant tax year will be 2009/10.
How will my child get their money?
If your child is eligible for EMA, a Notice of Entitlement (NOE) will be sent to them confirming the weekly amount they will receive.
It is important that they keep their NOE safe as they will not be able to claim EMA without it.
When they enrol on their course or programme they must take their NOE with them on the day.
Your child's school, college or learning provider will ask them to sign a learning agreement which sets out what will be expected of them in terms of attendance, behaviour, coursework and progress.
Your child's EMA will be paid straight into their own bank account.
Further Information
Connexions Chippenham 01249 449900 (Mon, Tue, Thurs 9:30am - 5:00pm, Wed 10:00am - 5:00pm, Fri 9:30am - 4:00pm) CNX_chippenham@wiltshire.gov.uk
Connexions Salisbury 01722 424400 (Mon, Tue, Thurs 9:30am - 5:00pm, Wed 10:00am - 5:00pm, Fri 9:30am - 4:00pm) CNX_Salisbury@wiltshire.gov.uk
Connexions Trowbridge 01225 716450 (Mon, Tue, Thurs 9:30am - 5:00pm, Wed 10:00am - 5:00pm, Fri 9:30am - 4:00pm) CNX_Trowbridge@wiltshire.gov.uk
