EMA problems

wisewordsneeded

My son is in his first year of a sixth form course. We have not been able to clain EMA previously as my husband earnt too much! Unfotunatly he has now been made redundant and our income has dropped significantly. My son could really do with some extra money but as the EMA is based on the previous tax year, we have been told hes not eligible.But because its looked at irrespectively, by the time we are able too claim he will be too old! Is that right?

HopeAndDriftWood

Yeah, unfortunatly it is.

It's very hard to get EMA to put you on the system, and they'll fight it for as long as possible. Unfortunately, they are likely to ignore you until your son is too old to claim.

They are really rubbish. I went to college for 2 years, being perfectly entitled to EMA, and apparently receiving it, but I didn't receive a single payment. Despite me complaining and writing letters every week, they managed to pay it to the wrong student for 2 years, and as they couldn't recover it, I got no money back.

Feel free to apply, though, they apparently have an 'improved system'...I just wouldn't hold your breath!

student_advisor

Although your son will not qualify for EMA as they will not reassess in-year for redundancy, there may be additional help with travel costs from the local council or course-related costs through his sixth form.

kopite_123

student_advisor wrote: »

there may be additional help with travel costs from the local council or course-related costs through his sixth form.

This happened in our sixth form when we were told if we could prove we had bought an item that would help us with sixth form then the local council would pay half towards it. This included every day items such as pens and books and even larger items such as laptops and computers, as long as they were being used for educational purposes. Its very hard in this day and age to complete sixth form without access to a computer. We were also given a free bus and train pass as we lived more than three miles away from the sixth form.

student_advisor

oompahloompah wrote: »

It seems very unfair that they will not reassess your son's claim when there has been such a drastic change in your circumstances.

You can ONLY be be reassessed in year for EMA under the following circumstances:

• a person who was part of the financial assessment dies
• a person who was part of the financial assessment becomes disabled as defined under the DDA
• the young person becomes estranged from their family and claims income support
• the young person becomes a parent & is main carer for their child

Being made redundant and family breakdown are deliberately omitted from this policy. (Yes, if a parent leaves, you will also not be reassessed in year).