Can anyone advise on EMA please?

angelfire

Hi, my daughter has been offered a place at a college that is in the same town as where her Dad lives. He has offered to have her stay there during the week, in term time so that she doesn't have to commute from our house each day. She would then come home at weekends.

Which address should she give when applying for EMA? Her Dad is not in work and he and his girlfriend receive benefits for them and their two kids - he is concerned they would lose benefits, but as far as I can tell from reading through the website, this is not so?

If she applies giving our address, she may be eligible, although certainly not for the full amount. I have updated my child benefit claim just a few weeks ago to inform them that she is remaining in full time education and did notice a section where it asked if the child lives elsewhere - so would I have to inform them? And would they then apportion out the child benefit between myself and her dad?

If anyone can give any advice I would be really appreciative.

Many thanks in advance!

terahurts

I'm by no means an expert but we are on benefits (ICB, IS, DLA, CA, CB), two of my children claiming EMA last year had no effect on them. As far as I understand it EMA is means tested against the household income but does not reduce the amount of benefits the household receives since EMA is supposed for be for the students use (books, equipment etc).

I'm not sure how it would work in you case, since you daughter would be splitting her time between you and her fathers, with the majority being there. From her point of view it may be better for her to claim to be living there full time, but this would mean that her CB is then payable to her father and not you.