EMA allowance / ALG allowance

missstropy

Hi Everyone,

Not sure if im in the right bit, but here goes..

My daughter who is 19 and severly disabled recently left her high school FE dept and went onto a special needs college, funding for this comes from Education.

While my daughter was at her special needs high school she was entitled to claim EMA of £30.00 a week.

When she started college at beginning of september I thought this would carry on, but it didnt, I rang the EMA and they said she wasnt entitled to it anymore, but she could claim ALG (Adult Learning Grant) if she was in full time college, which she is.

They sent me the relevant forms to fill in, and it turns out that my daughter has to be studying a full time course towards her first Level 2 which they quote as 5A* GCSE or level Three, A levels at whatever they go up in.

My daughter as I have said is deverly disabled, so apparently entitled to nothing, The college she goes to have said they have tried to get this changed as it is unfair to students who are at college full time whether they are are doing GCSE or A level, but have been unsucessful.

My daughter travels 10miles a day to college and 10miles home, she works as hard as she can, she loves being at college, but all the extra money she needs I am having to give her.

She does get DLA but most of this gets taken up with respite, extra clothes she constantly needs, and just basically extra everything that you wouldnt normally need to provide for a 'normal child'.

I think its grossly unfair and just wondered if any one else had found this hurdle with a young disabled person who has just gone to college, and anyone with any idea's of who to write to or speak to about it?

Jayne

Indie_Kid

Does she receive any out of work benefits? What is she studying? Does she already have a level 2 or level three?

missstropy

My daughter is not in receipt of any benefits, she is still on my child tax credits until she is 20,and then she will be entitled to in her own right.

She is at college rather than be sat at home in front of the tv, she is not studying towards any qualifications, she is unable to, she still watches Dora the Explorer at age 19, basically she is doing life skills at college, how to cook a meal, how to wash and dress herself etc, She isnt at a university doing qualifications, she will never leave home or get a job unsupported and even that is doubtful whether she will ever be employed supported.

How can I have put any money aside when Ive been a full time carer for her all her life, I have managed on the basics since she was born, no holidays no luxuaires nothing

missstropy

No her father is long long gone, Im not saying I couldnt of put £1 a week away, im trying to find out why a 'normal' person can go to college and have EMA or ALG, but because she is disabled she cant have anything, She is still under Education, They fund her college, it is just such a big change from the FE department at her previous school, Before her EMA covered her needs and outdoor activities at school, now she does more it costs more and she gets nothing.

Tigsteroonie

skcollobcat10 wrote: »

I am amazed that you find having to contribute to your child grossly unfair.

Please keep your personal opinions to yourself, it adds nothing to the thread.

The OP is asking a genuine question about entitlement, she does not have access to a time machine.

nannytone_2

skollabcat........your inwensitively amazes me at times!

he girl cannot get ALG because she is unable to learn at the required level, not though choice or laziness, but through disability.
as you said 'normal' kids grow up and go to college/uni wouldnt get anything other than their usual grants ( that are unavailable to the op's child). they would also be capable of holding down a part time job!
should this girl be forced to sit at home all day rather than fulfilling her potential?
it isnt her fault that shes unable to do A levels or a degree!

Duncombe

nannytone wrote: »

skollabcat........your inwensitively amazes me at times!

he girl cannot get ALG because she is unable to learn at the required level, not though choice or laziness, but through disability.
as you said 'normal' kids grow up and go to college/uni wouldnt get anything other than their usual grants ( that are unavailable to the op's child). they would also be capable of holding down a part time job!
should this girl be forced to sit at home all day rather than fulfilling her potential?
it isnt her fault that shes unable to do A levels or a degree!

I'm afraid I agree with skollacat. In particular the point raised about the Education Department stipulating certain qualifications because those students will eventually go into some form of employment. And pay tax. And 'repay' the EMA money they received.

Yes, it isn't anybodies 'fault' the OP's daughter is disabled, but at the same time if people don't have funds to do things then then can't do them. That is a fact of life. For everybody.

Speaking to local charities is a good suggestion. OP - do your daughters new college have any sort of funding for students on a low income? Are you able to work (or do you already?) during the hours your daughter is at college to help find some extra cash? Can other family members help out? Are there any savings you can make from the spending you do with your daughters DLA?

Oldernotwiser

missstropy wrote: »

No her father is long long gone, Im not saying I couldnt of put £1 a week away, im trying to find out why a 'normal' person can go to college and have EMA or ALG, but because she is disabled she cant have anything, She is still under Education, They fund her college, it is just such a big change from the FE department at her previous school, Before her EMA covered her needs and outdoor activities at school, now she does more it costs more and she gets nothing.

ALG was introduced comparatively recently with the intended purpose of having a more skilled and qualified workforce. As you can see, unfortunately your daughter doesn't come into that category, although you are still getting the CB/CTC for her which you wouldn't get if she were at home in front of the television.

Oldernotwiser

nannytone wrote: »

should this girl be forced to sit at home all day rather than fulfilling her potential?

As I just mentioned, the OP wouldn't be getting CB/CTC for her daughter if she was out of education. These, together with the DLA, are actually quite a large amount of money.

Indie_Kid

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

As I just mentioned, the OP wouldn't be getting CB/CTC for her daughter if she was out of education. These, together with the DLA, are actually quite a large amount of money.

Which is usually swallowed up costs due to disability.

OP - is there a learner support fund at college which can help your daughter?

Peanuckle

We're in Scotland and my middle son is at college and still receives EMA, I would double check that she's not entitled, as we were told that as long as the education was below a certain level then EMA was still payable (at least until December when the Scottish government are reviewing it)