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How to apply

Applying for EMA is easy: just follow these six simple steps. Apply as soon as you can, otherwise you may have to wait longer for your money.

• Make sure you have a bank account

If you don’t have a bank account yet, you’ll need to set one up as soon as possible.

If you change your bank account details, contact the EMA helpline on 0800 121 8989.

• Get an application form

You can order an application form online, or by calling the EMA helpline on  0800 121 8989.

You can also pick up a form from your school, learning provider or local Connexions office.

If you are currently receiving EMA and want to apply for your second year, you will need to order a new form.

• Complete the form

Complete the EMA application form with your parents or carers. There are some really important things to provide along with the form, including evidence of household income and bank account details.

• Send in the form

Send in your application form to the EMA Assessment and Payment Body (APB). You can find details of where to send your form in your application pack.

The APB will assess your application and will write to you within two weeks to tell you whether or not you qualify for EMA, or to ask you to provide the correct evidence or amend your application form.

If you have not heard back within two weeks, phone the EMA helpline on 0800 121 8989  to check what is happening.

If you’d like someone else to phone the helpline on your behalf, you must be there when they call, so that you can let the helpline operator know you’re authorising it.

• Enrol on your course or programme

If you qualify, you’ll be sent a Notice of Entitlement (NoE).

This explains how much money you’ll get each week. It is an important document, and confidential to you – keep it safe. The NoE includes detachable Contract Part 1 (CP1).

Before your EMA payments can start, you must give the detachable (CP1) to your school, college or learning provider. Both you and your learning provider will need to sign it.

• Sign the agreement, and receive your EMA!

Finally, you’ll need to sign an agreement with your learning provider which sets out what's expected of you in terms of your attendance, course work and progress.

Your teacher or tutor will also let you know what you need to do to qualify for your bonus payments.

And that’s it! Payments will be made directly into your bank account – and you’ll continue to get it as long as you meet the level of attendance required on your learning programme.

Can I backdate my EMA application?

EMA payments begin from the Monday of the week your application is received, assuming your learning programme has started and you are meeting the attendance criteria.

Successful EMA applications received before or within four weeks of the start of a learning programme will be eligible to receive backdated payments to the start of the programme.

Successful EMA applications received more than four weeks from the learning programme start date will be eligible to receive payments backdated to the Monday of the week in which they were received, as long as the learning programme has already started and attendance criteria have been met.

It’s best to apply well in advance of the start of your course or learning programme.