Daughter trying to claim EMA

[mumproblems123]

Hi everyone, my daughter is dd is definitely eligible for ema (Education maintenance allowance) however when filling in the forms it is asking me for my earnings in 2016/17 i don’t know this and without them she can’t claim, it’s £30 a week which is really going to benefit her as she needs a laptop for college and is starting driving lessons soon. Has anyone been in this situation before? If so what did you do? Is there anyway i could talk to the college and explain this situation? Any advice will be appreciated thank you!

I didn't realise it even existed any more. Are you in Scotland?

I really don't understand why you don't know your earnings. Surely you get an annual p60 and wage slips?

Why do you not know? There must be a way of working it out with old pay slips, tax notifications, benefit letters?

You can ask for a copy of old P60.

Do you claim tax credits. The income they used for the calculation should be on the award letter. Just copy that down.
I'm also a bit confused about how you could not know.
Does your income fluctuate a lot?

I'm sure in England this doesn't even exist anymore? Hasn't existed for years.

She may get a buss pass and meal vouchers but that's it. It isn't supposed to be used for things like driving lessons.

Is there a way for you to determine what your earnings were?
If it, why?

Firstly I thought it had been scrapped! Secondly, how do you not know you're own income? Thirdly, £30 a week won't cover driving lessons and college supplies. It should be used on the education supplies.

EMA still exists in Wales, Scotland and NI. It is paid in cash, not meal vouchers, and the student may be entitled to a bus pass in addition to the payment (the criteria is different).

Why do people post when they have no idea of what they're talking about?

Actually I have had a dd at college in England recently, I was describing what happened here, no need to be so rude! My dd didn't get EMA but got a buss pass and meal vouchers, I wasn't saying that's how EMA would be paid but what she might get instead if she's in England.

Are you sure that isn't a mistake? With income based benefits etc usually you are asked for earnings in the last complete tax year, which would be 2017/18. I would check you haven't been given an old form.

Hi,
I actually process EMA for a local authority.
Categorically, you will not be able to claim unless you can prove your earnings for the last financial year.
So if your daughter is applying just now, you will need to prove HOUSEHOLD earnings for tax year 2017/18

easiest way Is through your most recent Tax Credit Award Notice for the current year - this willconfirm your earnings for last tax year

If you are in receipt of universal credit then your most recent online journal statement printed out will suffice

A P60 for the last tax year or your month 12 payslip ( March 2018)

All the documents can be reissued if you do not have them. As long as you explain to the college I'm sure they will
Backdate provided your application was in prior to the 30th September