Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) From August 2025

GUIDANCE ON COMPLETING AN APPLICATION -Please read BEFORE starting your application

Before you start completing the form, please gather the information that your require.  If you do not have the documents that we need, copies can be obtained using the links provided in the 'Other websites' section.    

WHERE WE REQUIRE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, WE WILL SEND YOU AN EMAIL.  WE WILL ALSO GIVE YOU A DEADLINE DATE FOR SUBMISSION OF THE INFORMATION.  PLEASE MONITOR THE EMAIL ADDRESS YOU HAVE GIVEN, AS FAILURE TO RESPOND TO OUR REQUEST WILL RESULT IN MISSED PAYMENTS.

DOCUMENTATION SUBMITTED IN SUPPORT OF YOUR APPLICATION MUST BE FULL AND COMPLETE.  PARTIAL DOCUMENTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

The documentation required to assess an application will vary depending on the individual circumstances of the applicant. From the applicant, we require:-

  • Birth Certificate or Passport of the applicant
  • Proof of residence if the applicant was born outside of the UK (Share code and date of birth)
  • If you are an independent student in receipt of benefits in your own right - a copy of your award notice or if you receive Universal Credit a copy of the most recent universal credit statement
  • If you are living under the care of a local authority or have (or had) compulsory Social Work involvement in your care while living at home or away from home, a letter from your supervising Social Work department confirming the arrangements
  • Details of your bank account (if you do not have a bank account, you should open one as soon as possible)

For a sibling, between the ages of 16 and 25, living in the same house as you who is enrolled in full time education, we will need:-

  •  Evidence that they are enrolled to study for the year. eg. SAAS letter or a confirmation of acceptance letter.

For a sibling, under 5, who is not  attending a nursery manged by Inverclyde Council, we will need:-

  • Birth Certificate 

Dependant on individual circumstances, from your parent (or the person acting as your parent)  we will need

  • Evidence of household income for the period April 2024 to April 2025 as detailed below

If they are employed

  • 2025 P60 or a valid Week 52/month 12 payslip for March/April 2025 showing the full amount earned in the 2024/2025 financial year 
  • Full copy of any supporting documents for any additional benefits they may be in receipt of e.g. Universal Credit Statement

If they are self employed (only one of the items below will be required)

  • An SA302 showing the full amount earned in the 2024/2025 financial year. 
  • An accountant's certificate, confirming full amount earned in the 2024/2025 financial year.  If they have yet to submit their tax return, it may be possible to approve an application on a provisional basis until the full evidence is available.  If a provisional award it made, it will be suspended at the end of December 2025, until full household income is confirmed.  Where payment is awarded on a provisional basis and you fail to submit final household income, payments made during this year, will be deducted from any future payment, you may be due.
  • A copy of a 100% completed self assessemnt Tax Return

If they are in receipt of state pension and/or are receiving a private pension/occupational pension (only one of the item below will be required)

  • Award /letter for the 2024/2025 financial year or
  • P60 for the financial year ended April 2025

If they are in receipt of Job Seekers Allowance or Employment & Support Allowance or Income Support or Guaranteed Pension Credits

  • A copy of their award letter for the 2024/2025 financial year

if they are in reciept of Universal Credits

  • A copy of their most recent Universal Credit Statement

If they have other taxable income (only one of the item below will be required)

  • An accountant's certificate, confirming full amount earned in the 2024/2025 financial year.  If they have yet to submit their tax return, it may be possible to approve an application on a provisional basis until the full evidence is available.  If a provisional award it made, it will be suspended at the end of December 2025, until full household income is confirmed.  Where payment is awarded on a provisional basis and you fail to submit final household income, payments made during this year, will be deducted from any future payment, you may be due.
  • A copy of a 100% completed self assessemnt Tax Return

Evidence from all sources of income must be submitted. e.g If you are employed/self employed and also receiving benefits we will need evidence of ALL sources of income.    If you are unsure if your income is taxable, please refer to the Assessment of Taxable income information that can be found using the link on the Other income secton of this website.

If you live in a single parent household? (only one of the item below will be required)

  • Council Tax bill showing a single person discount for 2025/2026 financial year
  • Current Universal Credit (UC) statement showing single status