Education Maintenance Allowance - Frequently Asked Questions
These are some of the frequently asked questions regarding EMA
Yes, a new application must be submitted each academic year as we must do a fresh assessment.
If the EMA applicant is the only dependent in the household then gross household income must be £24,421 or under.
If there is more than one dependent in the household then gross household income must be £26,884 or under.
An application can be considered from August 2024 if you were born between 1 March 2005 and 30 September 2008.
An application can be considered from January 2025 if you were born between 1 October 2008 and 28 February 2009.
For those born between 1 March 2005 and 30 September 2008 to be considered for backdated payment to August 2024 an application must be submitted by 30 September 2024.
For those born between 1 October 2008 and 28 February 2009 to be considered for backdated payment to January 2025 an application must be submitted by 28 February 2025.
No, local authorities administer EMA on behalf of the Scottish Government so we must strictly adhere to their deadlines. The only exception are applications for HYPE agreements.
Yes, an application must be submitted by 30 March, no school applications can be accepted after this date. The only exception are applications for HYPE agreements.
No, local authorities administer EMA on behalf of the Scottish Government so we must strictly adhere to the closing date. The only exception are applications for HYPE agreements.
You must apply directly to the college as they administer EMA themselves along with other kinds of financial support. Please do not complete our application.
If the application is successful the award will be £30 per week, but generally paid £60 per fortnight. However, there are longer gaps in payment due to school holiday periods. Please note that payments are made in arrears in line with the schedule of payments.
Yes, payment can only be made up to the date of the last exam on the SQA exam calendar. This means that you will likely miss the last 3 or 4 week's payment for June.
No, it is a misconception that pupils can receive payment from their 16th birthday. They must wait until they are staying on at school beyond the school leaving age.
Yes, we advertise in many ways. We will update the website, do a facebook campaign and send word out via schools. However, applications are normally open each year in June in advance of the new academic year.
Yes, if you require help completing an application you can email the Families and Young Peoples Advice Service fypas@westlothian.gov.uk who would be happy to assist. You can also email EducationBenefits@westlothian.gov.uk who may also be able to give guidance.
The preference is to pay directly to the young person as this encourages financial independence and budgeting skills. However, payment can be made to the parent/carer under certain circumstances i.e. the young person has additional support needs.
No, the application should be submitted as soon as possible to ensure deadlines are met. We can pay to a parent/carer as a temporary measure and you can email EducationBenefits@westlothian.gov.uk asking for the bank details to be updated at a later date. However, the pupil must be informed where the payments are going and must be kept up to date with payments and payment total.
For information a bank may look for the following types of documentation to consider opening an account for a young person, but a letter from your child's school confirming they attend may also be considered by some banks;
- Your driver's licence
- Your passport details
- Your child's ID document
- Your child's birth certificate
- Proof of address
Please email EducationBenefits@westlothian.gov.uk as soon as possible with your new bank details. Please state your full name, date of birth and school attended so we can be sure we are amending the correct record.
Your school make the payment decisions so non-payment or missing payment should be challenged with the school in the first instance. If the school re-instate any payments they will automatically be paid at the next available payment date.
Please note that non-payment of EMA could also be because your school has not received your EMA learning agreement and registered it against your EMA record. This needs to be in place before your school can start making payment decisions.
A school may stop an EMA payment for any given week if the pupil has any unauthorised absences, is late more than twice, or has not done the required hours of education/study. Please note that family holidays taken in term-time are treated as unauthorised so no payment will be made.
A school may also stop payment if a pupil is not adhering to the terms of their learning agreement, or is not adhering to the school's own discipline/uniform policy.
West Lothian Council are responsible for administering EMA applications for all schools in West Lothian, this includes Donaldsons and Moorehouse. Where the pupil lives does not matter.
Yes, but we will require to seek confirmation from West Lothian Council Education Services that the child is home-educated. If the application is successful the parent/carer will be required to email EducationBenefits@westlothian.gov.uk at the end of each week to confirm if payment should be approved or declined based on attendance/effort.
There must be at least 3 school days in a week to considered for payment, this can include in-service days. In a standard academic year EMA is not normally paid for school holidays in October, Christmas, February, Easter & Summer. However, this can change depending on the setting of term dates each academic year.
Yes. Applications are normally assessed on the most recent full financial year, but a provisional award can be considered if current household income is under threshold. However, evidence would be required to consider this i.e. P45, letter from employer, current proof of benefit.
Yes, they would be eligible for EMA without the need for financial assessment. However, we would need proof of the placement with the foster/kinship carer by way of an email or letter from the Social Worker.
Please note that if the placement is not recognised by Social Work then financial assessment would be required.
