Do you auto get full uni grant if currently receive £30 EMA

Oldernotwiser

surfsister wrote: »

also daughter just seen on the internet ema bonuses ending from 2011. I expect ema will end then also??

Given that it's around this time that young people will have to stay in education or training until 18 anyway, there seems little point in offering them financial inducements to do so.

cowane

I completely agree that some people that receive EMA really don't need it. But I receive £30 per week, and need it to get to school. I have a small car which needs filling with petrol every week to make my 40 mile round trip everyday. I paid for the insurance on the car with my part time job, which I do 15 hours a week, so I have worked for everything that I have. I also agree that the guarantee for money all the way through uni, based on the income of your parents at the end of year 11. They should asses your income every year so the people that really need it, receive it. I am applying to uni this year and have got a conditional place. I will also need the maintenance grant when I go to uni, baring in mind I am moving to uni, and won't receive help from my parents, as they can't afford it.

gropinginthedark

Maybe a bit off topic for this thread but:
Our household situation is such that my lad qualifies for EMA, however 3 times it has been withheld unreasonably. Appeals seem to be pointless, at first he was told there was no appeal process. Later it emerged that there is, but you appeal to the school who just join ranks. First "offence" was a day when it snowed. He was at school, no teacher. (Unlike the teachers he always goes to school, irrespective of weather, althogh sometimes school is closed when he gets there or he's sent home due to no teachers). After 20 mins an adult came to the classroom and said, teachers can't get here, go home. So he did. Apparently one of the afternoon teachers did arrive - and no kids. EMA payment withheld. Appeal rejected because the guy who said they could go home was a student teacher and didn't have the authority.
Second was "no lessons because there's a voluntary charity walk". He didn't go. (He does voluntary work and considers that more productive than hassling people for sponsorship). EMA withheld - nobody had told him it was only voluntary for rich kids.
Third time he was sick (flu). But then a teacher called to say there was an overdue homework. Kid said no, he'd handed it in. I insisted that he wrap up warm and go sort it out. He was therefore recorded as having been in school in the morning and so registered as unauthorised absence in the afternoon tho' he'd come home and gone back to bed.

My question is: where can I escalate my complaint to? I tried phoning EMA helpline once before. After a few attempts I took the recorded message advice and called at "opening time". After nearly an hour I got to speak to a person who "didn't have access to the database so couldn't answer my question".

rev_henry

gropinginthedark wrote: »

Maybe a bit off topic for this thread but:
Our household situation is such that my lad qualifies for EMA, however 3 times it has been withheld unreasonably. Appeals seem to be pointless, at first he was told there was no appeal process. Later it emerged that there is, but you appeal to the school who just join ranks. First "offence" was a day when it snowed. He was at school, no teacher. (Unlike the teachers he always goes to school, irrespective of weather, althogh sometimes school is closed when he gets there or he's sent home due to no teachers). After 20 mins an adult came to the classroom and said, teachers can't get here, go home. So he did. Apparently one of the afternoon teachers did arrive - and no kids. EMA payment withheld. Appeal rejected because the guy who said they could go home was a student teacher and didn't have the authority.
Second was "no lessons because there's a voluntary charity walk". He didn't go. (He does voluntary work and considers that more productive than hassling people for sponsorship). EMA withheld - nobody had told him it was only voluntary for rich kids.
Third time he was sick (flu). But then a teacher called to say there was an overdue homework. Kid said no, he'd handed it in. I insisted that he wrap up warm and go sort it out. He was therefore recorded as having been in school in the morning and so registered as unauthorised absence in the afternoon tho' he'd come home and gone back to bed.

My question is: where can I escalate my complaint to? I tried phoning EMA helpline once before. After a few attempts I took the recorded message advice and called at "opening time". After nearly an hour I got to speak to a person who "didn't have access to the database so couldn't answer my question".

Seems ridiculous to me. Don't even bother with the helpline they're useless at best, rude at worst.
I'd try writing sick notes to school for all the times its been withheld. Even though he wasn't sick. Doesn't actually address the problem but at least he gets his money. At my school at least, basically you can not attend whatever you like and still get paid as long as you get a sick note from your parents. Not that I do this of course, only when we're not given study leave we should be.
Your sons school may have a different policy regarding sick days though...