Education Maintenance Allowance
EMA is an allowance of £30 per week, depending on household income. Students on Activity Agreements (HYPE agreements), are Home Educated, attend Donaldsons or Moorehouse or estranged from parents or in care of the authority can also be paid.
Get your Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)
You could get a weekly allowance of £30 per week if you:
- attend a school in the West Lothian Council area, or
- you are on an Activity Agreement (HYPE)
College students should contact their college directly to apply for EMA.
Academic Year 2020/2021
To apply for Education Maintenance Allowance, you'll need to complete both the application form and a learning agreement.
The application form can be completed by either the student or their parent/guardian, and includes an eligibility checker at the start.
Once you've submitted your application, you also need to complete a learning agreement. This should be completed by the student, and is an agreement between the student and the school.
Complete your Learning Agreement
The application and learning agreement need to be submitted by 30 September 2020 if you were born between 1 March 2001 and 30 September 2004, or by 28 February 2021 if you were born between 1 October 2004 and 28 February 2005 in order to receive backdated payments to the start of term, otherwise payments will be made from the point the application is received.
If you are in foster care, you do not need to complete an application form. Please email EducationBenefits@westlothian.gov.uk to apply for EMA. You will need to give your name, address, school, and bank account details. You will also need to complete a Learning Agreement, and provide proof of placement by way of a letter from Social Work.
