EMA Query

rchddap1

Step daughter has been at college for 2 weeks and hasn't received a payment yet. I am trying the advice line (08081 016219), but 'everyone is busy'. I was just wondering if this delay in payment is normal or if there is anything else we can do about it?

She would normally get a bus to school...and now she is having to walk as she doesn't have the cash.

Thanks

Ellie2758

Same problem here. College started two weeks ago but no money in account. I assume it is just the usual bureaucratic nightmare that the Tax Credits system is. There is somebody at college who deals with EMA payments so it might be worth contacting them if you are really stuck.

Ellie

rchddap1

She has spoken to the EMA Officer and for both weeks she was told ..... the payment will go through to your account etc....

Finally got through to the advice line (did take a while). I was told that the Wk2 payment had been authorised and was going through today, but Wk1 payment hadn't been. Sigh...back to the EMA Officer again then.

Thanks.

Ellie2758

Was she in for her normal hours in week one, cos my daughter wasnt. It was a kind of induction week. I will try the helpline later I think. What a palaver and all for £20!!!

Ellie

ceegee

My daughter has just started her 2nd year at college. There were delays and hiccups to start with last year but it settled down eventually. There have been delays and hiccups this year too and I am sure that they will also get sorted eventually. Frankly we are just so grateful for this funding....without it she certainly would not have been able to go to college.

carol_a_3

I live in one of the pilot areas and my daughter qualified for both of her two years at college 3 years ago when EMA first started. It was fraught with problems, she was for ever going into the EMA office at college to enquire when they would get their money, the bonuses were worse, sometimes coming months after the end of the term etc. Luckily she also qualified for a free bus pass for one term so that wasn't a problem initially. You think they would have got it sorted out by now.

rchddap1

You'd have thought. Both weeks step daughter was told that she would be paid. Only have wk2 cash so far. Wk1 is up to her. We can't and won't do everything for her. She's old enough to sort this out her self...or at least should be anyway.

She also seems to think she'll get a free bus pass, but as yet the college & council cogs are turning extremely slowly.

One thing that made me smile...she needs some stuff for her courses and simply doesn't have the cash to cover it. We said that we'd lend her it...her comment....don't like borrowing money I'll work it out. Made me smile.

Thanks for the info folks.