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EMA: the facts for parents and carers

If your child stays in learning after 16, Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) could give them up to £30 a week to help with their costs. It won't affect a penny of any benefits you get.

Helping your child get on in life

There’s a world of learning choices out there for your child if they’re 16, 17 or 18 and have left or are about to leave compulsory education.

Whatever their ambitions, they’ll find the right course, from office administration to digital media, science and technology to travel, tourism and hospitality.

And they’ll be able to find a way of learning that’s right for them too. This might be staying in sixth form, through a college or at work. Vocational qualifications provide excellent training for work and life too.  

Want to make sure you offer the right advice?  There’s lots of help available. Just call the EMA helpline on 0800 121 8989, or contact your local Connexions service.


How can EMA help your child?

EMA is there to help with some costs, and to help your child carry on learning.

If your household income is less than £30,810 then your child can get help with £10, £20 or £30 a week to put towards costs on books, travel or equipment. 

Check out the table to see what they could receive.

Your household income (financial year 07/08):  How much EMA your child could get
up to £20,817 per year   £30 per week
£20,818 - £25,521 per year £20 a week
£25,522 - £30,810 per year   £10 a week
more than £30,810 per year   no entitlement to EMA

This money will be paid straight into your child’s bank account.  To get their EMA payments, they will need to open an account if they haven’t got one already.


What do you need to provide?

To complete the application form you will need to provide some extra information.

You will need to send evidence of your household income for the relevant tax year. This might be a Tax Credit Award Notice (TC602), or P60.

To find out more about Tax Credits and P60s, follow the below links.

There are other criteria which qualify your child for EMA, including age and type of course.  Find out if your child is eligible by clicking on the link below.


What about claiming other benefits?

The good news is that EMA doesn’t affect any other benefits you may already claim. So you are still free to keep claiming child benefit, tax credits and other types of support.


Find out more

To find out more about EMA, either phone the EMA helpline on 0800 121 8989, or follow the below link.

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