How can you get EMA?

babss

Hello
My daughter is 18 and sat her Alevels in june past and was hoping to get the grades to get into uni however she didn't and has decided to repeat her A level year and resit all her exams. We approached the grammer school that she had been attending to see if they would let her back they said they would but they would not allow her to wear the school uniform and she wouldn't be on the school role. When she started back in september there was about seven other girls doing the same thing and the same rules applied (not on school role and not allowed to wear the uniform). The girls had previously been getting EMA but was told by the EMA officer at the school that they were not going to get it as the school will not admit that they are actually at the school althought the girls are there the full school day attending classes and some including my daughter are travelling into school on the education board bus.
However my daughter found out that some of her friends within that group have applied for jobseekers and have been receiving the full benefit, but one of the girls received a letter that she was no longer entitled to receive this as she was in education but they said that she apply for EMA, so she phoned the EMA office and explained the whole situation, they said that yes they were entitled to EMA and to apply through the school, once again she approached the EMA officer at the school who said that they couldn't apply for it as they are not on the school register and therefore were not officially at the school.
Is there any way round this?
Thanks Brenda

von

Hi, if her friends are in full time education they shouldn't be claiming/receiving Jobseekers Allowance. With regard to EMA - see link to read eligibility conditions - http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/14To19/MoneyToLearn/16to19bursary/index.htm

Ames

Why are the school not letting her be registered? That part is where I'd start - I don't have any expertise in the area, it's just my feelings. Especially if they're allowing the resitters to go to classes it doesn't seem to make sense for them not to be registered, as the school must be missing out on money.

babss

The reason the school gave is that they are over subscribed and if they were to give them places in the school they could be taking places off students wishing to do AS and A Level. I wonder legally what would happen if any of the girls had an accident in the school, if they are not on the register.
The girls have been in touch with the EMA Department and they said that there should be no problem in them getting the EMA but as the school can't verify that the girls are actually attending school because they are not on the register they can't get claim the EMA.
iF they were getting EMA they wouldn't have to apply for jobseekers. The girls can come and go from school as they like and therefore could take part time work if it was available but there is absolutely no jobs at the moment.