Website of the UK government

Has your EMA been delayed?

Waiting for your Notice of Entitlement (NOE)?

If your EMA application is successful, you’ll get a Notice of Entitlement (NOE). This is the document that lets you claim EMA and tells you how much you’re entitled to.

If you don’t get a response to your application within two weeks of posting it, call the Learner Support helpline on 0800 121 8989. An adviser will be happy to investigate for you.

You won’t miss out on payments as a result of any delay in processing your application. Your payments will be backdated to the date when you applied – or to the start of your course if you applied before the end of October 2008.

Got your Notice of Entitlement?

Once you've got your NOE, it’s important to take it in to your school, college or learning provider as soon as possible.

The sooner they have your NOE, the sooner they can register you - and the sooner you’ll get your EMA payments.

Thinking about applying for EMA?

You can apply for EMA at any time during the year. To make sure your application is processed as quickly as possible, check that you’ve completed the form correctly and return all the relevant evidence with it.

If you apply from November 2008, your payments will be backdated to when your application was received.

• Apply for EMA

Problems with the helpline

The helpline (0800 121 8989) is open 7.00 am to 8.00 pm from Monday to Friday.

LSC has solved the technical problems it had towards the end of 2008, so you should find it much easier to get through and speak to an adviser when you need to.

Remember that you can also get a copy of the EMA application form from your school, college, learning provider or local Connexions service.

• Learner Support helpline

If you’re in financial difficulty

It’s worth talking to your college or school sixth form if you’re in financial difficulty - they may be able to provide help through their Discretionary Support Fund.

Colleges and schools decide how they use their Discretionary Support Funds, but they’re prioritised for those who face financial hardship.

• Discretionary Support Funds

More useful links

• Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)
• Adult Learning Grant