2008/09 EMA article discussion

Magnolia

This year is the first year when the 2nd year returners bonus isn't being paid. So over the 2 year course there will be 4 bonus payments.

Our intelligence says the January bonus will be paid in the first week of February.

Nicky321

Magnolia wrote: »

This year is the first year when the 2nd year returners bonus isn't being paid. So over the 2 year course there will be 4 bonus payments.

Our intelligence says the January bonus will be paid in the first week of February.

This year? so he should have received a bonus last september when he returned to commence his 2nd year? or did you mean this year as in educational year commencing september 08?

Magnolia

Sorry Nicky - been away from the puter and also sorry again - working in education we have different years to the rest of the country. You are right in assuming that I mean the Academic year!

DanielJ_2

hey. Quick question.

I've changed my bank account from Nationwide to Natwest. How do I get this to change for EMA too? I've looked on google and I hear you have to send EMA a letter but I'd care for some elaboration before I do anything since google is..google and can be unreliable.

thankyou.

Oldernotwiser

DanielJ wrote: »

hey. Quick question.

I've changed my bank account from Nationwide to Natwest. How do I get this to change for EMA too? I've looked on google and I hear you have to send EMA a letter but I'd care for some elaboration before I do anything since google is..google and can be unreliable.

thankyou.

Go and see the person who deals with EMA at your school or college. They'll be able to advise you of the correct procedure and give you the right address.

DanielJ_2

thanks. i found the EMA number from connexions and they gave me the address.

I can post it if it is needed.

surfsister

can anyone tell me please how much savings the child applying can have in savings before it affects ema I can't find anything on the ema site about it at all? Thanks

kelvinhanratty

Send an original bank statement for your new account with a covering letter, stating that you want the payments made to the new account.

With regard to EMA, as far as I know, it's just parental income that is considered, not the applicant's income (including savings). They take into consideration income from other sources, if the total amount earned from all other sources is over £300 (The income sources taken into consideration follow the Tax Credits example, which disregard the first £300 of "other" income - e.g. rental income, interest from savings, etc).

If you're unsure, declare it any way. The guidance notes that accompanies the form explains why and what is needed. Call the learner helpline on 0800 121 8989, choosing the options for EMA. The advisor will provide further clarification, as required,

kelvinhanratty

Please make sure that the bank statement shows the name of the account holder, address and full account details (sort code, account number and Building Society roll number, if applicable). The account must be in the name of the person applying for EMA/ALG.

They will only consider making payments into the account of another person in exceptional circumstances, i.e. not being able to administer their own account; for example, through disability. These cases are referred to the Learning & Skills Council, to be considered on their own merit. I'd therefore recommend ensuring that the request is explained and backed up with evidence to confirm the request, if you're asking for payments to be made into another person's account.

Please contact either ALG or EMA if you're account has closed, as soon as it happens, to prevent payments being made which will go nowhere. You will save yourself a lot of bother and waiting, as they need to wait for payments to bounce before they can reissue. It is your responsibility to ensure that your correct details are held on their systems.

This also applies to a change of address - just because you may have changed it with your bank and/or the college, doesn't mean that they will be made aware of it. This prevents documents/mail going to someone else and causing strife later on.

surfsister

thanks kelvinh haven't yet got an ema form as cannot get one online they said get it at school and her school has no sixth form so no ema forms!!