The Education Maintenance Allowance is designed to help pupils from lower income families stay on at school or college - and not have to worry about their finances.What are the key features of EMA?
- Weekly payment bands of £30, £20 and £10 per week, depending on household income.
- Intermittent bonus payments depending on the programme of learning.
- Available for both academic and vocational study, up to level 3, which can include courses such as basic skills GCSE retakes, GNVQs, NVQs, as well as AS and A2s.
- No other household benefits are affected.
- Young people can still have a part-time job.
Who is eligible for EMA?
Young people are eligible to receive or to continue receiving EMA in the EMA year 2009/10 providing:
- They will already be 16, 17 or 18 on the 1st September 2009
- They are participating in full-time further education (as defined in EMA guidance) up to and including Level 3, or LSC funded e2e or a Programme led Apprenticeship
How much will they get?
The amount of EMA that a young person is eligible to receive in 2009/10 is dependent on their household income which must be £30,810 or less in the previous tax year, 2008-2009. The young person will then receive £10, £20 or £30 - a breakdown is as follows:
Up to £20,817 £30
More than £20,817 but less than or equal to £25,521 £20
More than £25,521 but less than or equal to £30,810 £10
For all enquiries regarding EMA, please contact 0800 121 8989 (some mobile operators may charge for calls made to this number) or visit www.direct.gov.uk/ema
