EMA to go?

natnhay

Hi my daughter receives ema and uses it for her bus travel and she had to purchase some books for college as well, as they didnt have enough to go round. She now buys all her own clothes and stuff she needs. Her father and I couldnt afford to give her £30 a week.I do think that it is abused in some cases but not all.If parents can afford to buy their kids cars and insure them,then surely they dont need it.

oompahloompah

Jordi, I was just about to say the same thing - in Scotland the EMA will be reviewed and may be withdrawn in December - we were told of this in the summer. No bonuses are payable, and in 2009 the levels were re-assessed so only those with household incomes of less than just over £20K got EMA at £30/week, there is no staggered level of £20 or £10 (for those still at school, I don't know how the EMA is for college students etc)

Entitlement depends on household income rather than parental income, so a few of my DSs friends get the EMA as they just live with the mum who works part time, but dad, who lives elsewhere, earns a higher salary and contributes, but this isn't taken into account. This could explain some of those who appear not to need it? I think it is the same system for assessing tax credits, student loans etc?

lou1310_2

Yesterday, Paul Lewis on BBC Radio 4 Money BOx confirmed that they were scrapping EMA from the end of this academic year (he said he'd confirmed it with the Department of Education). This is devastating news for my daughter, who will probably have to give up further education.

bestpud

lou1310 wrote: »

Yesterday, Paul Lewis on BBC Radio 4 Money BOx confirmed that they were scrapping EMA from the end of this academic year (he said he'd confirmed it with the Department of Education). This is devastating news for my daughter, who will probably have to give up further education.

I can see she will be disappointed, but why will she have to give up her course?

lou1310_2

response to above - hi, single mum, became ill/permanently disabled 2 yrs ago, income support only paying half mortgage (fixed rate tied into before I became ill) therefore no spare money at all for transport, dinners, books etc.

bestpud

lou1310 wrote: »

response to above - hi, single mum, became ill/permanently disabled 2 yrs ago, income support only paying half mortgage (fixed rate tied into before I became ill) therefore no spare money at all for transport, dinners, books etc.

You should still be receiving Child tax credit and child benefit for your daughter...? Are you not getting them?

CharlieBilly

Yes I heard that on Radio 4 You and yours the other day.

EMA whilst is used as an incentive to get 16-19 years old to full time college I think full time is over 12 hours, it also could help with books and transport

Some low income families may struggle even more now if they have to no help pay for books/travel for there kids. Also dont forget some benefits are been frozen and there extra vat, fuel, food, rent all going up. If anyone is on border line and struggling it may be too tough for some of them

There should at least be some help with travel, books if they need it.

From DirectGov

Whatever you decide to do, EMA could help you with the cost of books, travel, equipment or anything useful to continue learning.

lou1310 wrote: »

Yesterday, Paul Lewis on BBC Radio 4 Money BOx confirmed that they were scrapping EMA from the end of this academic year (he said he'd confirmed it with the Department of Education). This is devastating news for my daughter, who will probably have to give up further education.

Oldernotwiser

lou1310 wrote: »

response to above - hi, single mum, became ill/permanently disabled 2 yrs ago, income support only paying half mortgage (fixed rate tied into before I became ill) therefore no spare money at all for transport, dinners, books etc.

But child tax credit and child benefit will cover most of this, won't they? You'll lose the lot of she leaves education.

Jordii

lou1310 wrote: »

Yesterday, Paul Lewis on BBC Radio 4 Money BOx confirmed that they were scrapping EMA from the end of this academic year (he said he'd confirmed it with the Department of Education). This is devastating news for my daughter, who will probably have to give up further education.

So does this mean we will continue to get payments up until Summer 2011?

Oldernotwiser

Jordii wrote: »

So does this mean we will continue to get payments up until Summer 2011?

That's what he seems to have said, isn't it?