Educational Maintenance Allowance
‘Those young people who are in receipt of EMA and who are unable to meet their agreed attendance requirements either through self-isolating, contracting the virus or through the learning institution being closed will continue to receive their EMA payment.’
Q&A
Q: If schools/colleges close will EMA continue to be paid?
A: The guidance states that an authorised absence would include a scenario where the learning centre is closed due to unforeseen circumstances. This would apply in this instance.
Q Will students who are in Self Isolation because of Coronavirus receive their EMA payments?
A The guidance states that an authorised absence includes ill health and additionally the breakdown of a student’s method of transport to and from the institution, a scenario which could arise in future. This also applies to those who have self-isolated due to their parents/carers having health issues which put them at risk.
Q Will everyone whose application has been authorised on the system continue to receive EMA over any self -imposed isolation and/or complete shutdown of the schools/colleges?
A Yes. As stated above the guidance allows for absence for unforeseen circumstances, which is applicable in this current situation. We appreciate that many doctors surgeries will not be in a position to issue medical certificates in most cases and would urge that you view such cases sympathetically and follow the discretion which the guidance allows.
