EMA (Education Maintenance Allowance)

[Feep]

Some people get it and others don't, I don't think that it is fair.

I think EMA is a bad thing alltogether, as most teens throw it all away on Alcohol and money for weed. Which is fueling some of the reasons why this contry is how it is.

I dropped out of college this year because I was sick of never having money, why should I take money off my parents that they earn for themselves? It turns out I dropped out of college in the middle of a big ressesion and hardly no jobs are avilable. If I had been able to claim EMA I would probably finished my year of college and been thinking about furthering my education.


What are your views on EMA?

[cocaine]

i dont claim it because im not entitled to any

and i would expect people who attend college to be in part time employment, seeing as they're old enough

[Recursion]

It is unfair IMO, just because your parents earn x amount of money, doesn't mean they give you any of it when you can't get EMA.

I'm going to Sixth Form in September and I can't claim EMA so hehh.

[Caution]

I can claim it next year, yes.

[Samantha.]

I claim the full £30
I don't think it's fair becuase it's not like the people that earn more will give there child money all week.

[xxMATTGxx]

Not allowed to claim for it, bit unfair to be honest with you.

[Feep]

i dont claim it because im not entitled to any

and i would expect people who attend college to be in part time employment, seeing as they're old enough
There are no jobs. if you havn't noticed.


It is unfair IMO, just because your parents earn x amount of money, doesn't mean they give you any of it when you can't get EMA.

I'm going to Sixth Form in September and I can't claim EMA so hehh.
This is exacly what im getting at.
Sucks doesn't it :(

[Clowgon]

I think it's good as some families, cannot possible afford to pay £30 a week - £120 a month for their children to go to college.

They have to find them money for thier bus pass, plus give them dinner money, equipment... clothes.

But some just bloody abuse the system which ****** me off. I think Rich ppl, when i mean rich ppl i mean very rich - They should pay for thier kid to go to College, at least the gov can use the money and spend it on other departments which can be put to better use.

But saying that, if i was rich, i wouldn't want to pay for my kids to go to college, so ye, it's a toughie.

I have it all planed out when i go to college, save, work while i'm at college, take my driving lessons..

It's good they bring out the EMA we are a lucky country tbh... all thanks to the people who decided to stay in their beds all day after school and to the people who cba going to college! so 3 cheers to them! wooo

[Kardan]

I think it's unfair. I'm entering Year 12 this September and can't claim it since EMA is based on my parents wages in 2008, which they were earning enough for me to not get it.

However due to the economic crapthing, my parents wages in 2009 mean I can get the full £30, but I have to wait until I'm in Year 13. So basically, right now, my parents don't have enough to give me £30 a week, I should be able to get EMA... But I'm not. So, down with EMA.

[Feep]

I think it's good as some families, cannot possible afford to pay £30 a week - £120 a month for their children to go to college.

They have to find them money for thier bus pass, plus give them dinner money, equipment... clothes.

But some just bloody abuse the system which ****** me off. I think Rich ppl, when i mean rich ppl i mean very rich - They should pay for thier kid to go to College, at least the gov can use the money and spend it on other departments which can be put to better use.

But saying that, if i was rich, i wouldn't want to pay for my kids to go to college, so ye, it's a toughie.

I have it all planed out when i go to college, save, work while i'm at college, take my driving lessons..

It's good they bring out the EMA we are a lucky country tbh... all thanks to the people who decided to stay in their beds all day after school and to the people who cba going to college! so 3 cheers to them! wooo

I completely agree. But my friends mum is claiming JSA atm and she has 3 kids. So my Friend got a Bus pass for free.

[cocaine]

There are no jobs. if you havn't noticed.

yeah, im not stupid - and when all the university students go back to university there will be vacancies wont there?

[Clowgon]

I completely agree. But my friends mum is claiming JSA atm and she has 3 kids. So my Friend got a Bus pass for free.

:o haven't heard of JSA, just know EMA but it's good he gets a free bus pass, saving about £40 a month there..


yeah, im not stupid - and when all the university students go back to university there will be vacancies wont there?

I'm just sorry for all the College students and ppl who go Uni, i hope the economy is ok when i leave... so in about 10 months time. :(

[Feep]

yeah, im not stupid - and when all the university students go back to university there will be vacancies wont there?

Im not sexist or agest but Im an eighteen year old boy who has been out of work for 9 months.

I don't stand a chance against an 18 year old girl. Boys are known for 'messing about' and not doing there job to standard. This steriotype is one reason I find it difficult to get a job.

It's not impossible but very hard.

[cocaine]

Im not sexist or agest but Im an eighteen year old boy who has been out of work for 9 months.

I don't stand a chance against an 18 year old girl. Boys are known for 'messing about' and not doing there job to standard. This steriotype is one reason I find it difficult to get a job.

It's not impossible but very hard.

yeah well thats company discrimination based on age and gender which shouldn't be allowed

[Wayne]

I had it when I was at college yeah.

[buttons]

Yeah I get full payment but I don't need much of it because my schools like a 5 minute walk so no busses or nothing until I go to college which, when I do go to, even the money I get from them isn't enough and my mum ends up having to pay monthly for most of the bus cost anyway lol. I think the system is fair, there are people who genuinly deserve it but it doesn't mean that they use it for the purpose it's given to them which is why so many people think it's unfair. My mum puts most of mine into the bank and doesn't let me touch at all and saves for anything in future. There's only one income into our family and she's been off work too much ill so we get loads of benefits and some people try to say we're the worst because we claim as much as we can get :/ a little bit of help don't harm anyone.

Apparently it's only "chavs" and troublemakers who get EMA but the fact they're going back to school or starting college is proof enough some people are getting the money for the rightful case whereas most the ones I know just drop out of everything so it's pretty justified for some of us, not saying everyone but some people deserve it so it's unfair to say everyone or no-one gets it. There's a reason why people with so much money don't get it and the argument that "doesn't mean our parents are going to give us money" is so flawed because that's the decision of all parents and not the government's, I'm sure they might pay for your college at least, they can afford it if they have that money otherwise it's tough **** really. :)

Why do people who don't get it complain anyway? It stops at £31,528 annuanly for the requirements, we probably just about make a third of that for the whole family in a year, some people are really ungrateful:S:S

[Feep]

Yeah I get full payment but I don't need much of it because my schools like a 5 minute walk so no busses or nothing until I go to college which, when I do go to, even the money I get from them isn't enough and my mum ends up having to pay monthly for most of the bus cost anyway lol. I think the system is fair, there are people who genuinly deserve it but it doesn't mean that they use it for the purpose it's given to them which is why so many people think it's unfair. My mum puts most of mine into the bank and doesn't let me touch at all and saves for anything in future. There's only one income into our family and she's been off work too much ill so we get loads of benefits and some people try to say we're the worst because we claim as much as we can get :/ a little bit of help don't harm anyone.

Apparently it's only "chavs" and troublemakers who get EMA but the fact they're going back to school or starting college is proof enough some people are getting the money for the rightful case whereas most the ones I know just drop out of everything so it's pretty justified for some of us, not saying everyone but some people deserve it so it's unfair to say everyone or no-one gets it. There's a reason why people with so much money don't get it and the argument that "doesn't mean our parents are going to give us money" is so flawed because that's the decision of all parents and not the government's, I'm sure they might pay for your college at least, they can afford it if they have that money otherwise it's tough **** really. :)

Why do people who don't get it complain anyway? It stops at £31,528 annuanly for the requirements, we probably just about make a third of that for the whole family in a year, some people are really ungrateful:S:S
Im eighteen, why should my parents give me money? Im old enough. And if I was given ema I would carry on at college. Some people do 'sponge' off the goverment I don't know what kind of situation your family is in so I can't and won't comment on it.

I think 75% of EMA is used to buy drugs and alcohol. All the people I know blow there money on nights out.

[ifuseekamy]

But some just bloody abuse the system which ****** me off. I think Rich ppl, when i mean rich ppl i mean very rich - They should pay for thier kid to go to College, at least the gov can use the money and spend it on other departments which can be put to better use.

But saying that, if i was rich, i wouldn't want to pay for my kids to go to college, so ye, it's a toughie.
"Very rich" people send their kids to private schools and colleges.

[Feep]

"Very rich" people send their kids to private schools and colleges.
Exacly so there parents pay for it. which is fair enough but for some people like myself I don't get money often.

[e5]

No :@ So annoying, cause just because what my dad earns, I cant. It's not like he'll give me £30 a week :S

[Dean]

Not allowed to claim.

[.:.:jjm261:.:.]

i get ema so i'm happy, but i do find it unfair 'cos those with higher wages pay more tax and dont get anything back

[LuketheDuke]

Like everyone else says on here, even if your parents earn above such a salery it doesnt mean their going to give you £30 a week as mine dont and struggle to pay things off like the mortgage on our house, electricity bills etc. It should ordepend on your circumstances like how much disposable income your family has and how many brothers/sisters do you have as having many means money is spread more thinly.

The bonuses also get me, why do kids who already get money weekly deserve extra rewards for showing up to school like the rest of us have to do anyway?

[LoveToStack]

I'm not eligible + I go to the school I go to on my rich auntie and uncle's good graces so there would be no need.

[Meanies]

Like everyone else says on here, even if your parents earn above such a salery it doesnt mean their going to give you £30 a week as mine dont and struggle to pay things off like the mortgage on our house, electricity bills etc. It should ordepend on your circumstances like how much disposable income your family has and how many brothers/sisters do you have as having many means money is spread more thinly.

The bonuses also get me, why do kids who already get money weekly deserve extra rewards for showing up to school like the rest of us have to do anyway?
my mum tried to complain about that so i'd get it and it didn't work :@ I've got a brother and 2 stepbrothers and 2 stepsisters so yeah.. if they took that into account i'd get it:(

[StefanWolves]

I think the people on this forum whos families have enough money to fund their children with £30 a week should stop moaning, stop being spoilt, EMA is for students whos families are struggling, for children that will need help in their later years, it isn't about "OH MY FAMILY OWNS OVER 25K I DONT GET EMA THATS UNFAIR ON ME!!" - it isn't, because you're family are obviously easily coping, your family earns enough to fund you with how much you need weekly.

Oh and all these people saying "I don't get EMA but my mom and dad are still struggling!!!!!!!!" is utter crap, that's the whole point of the EMA, if you don't get any EMA at all it means you parents are earning over £30,000 a year? (i think) - that is double the national minimum wage, and is easily enough income to survive in the current economic climate.

Stop moaning, just stop it.

My dad lost his job earlier this year, mom earns under 15k a year, so I get full £30 EMA ~ I deserve this as my dad can't find work and only earning £300 a week is VERY hard on a family of 4, mortgage, bills, and what not ~ we are a family thats really struggling, and I find it quite offensive that those of you who are not entitled to EMA are moaning, when families like mine really are struggling.

That's my opinion, you may not agree with it, but quite frankly I couldn't really give a damn.

[IceNineKills]

I claimed £20 a week when I was in collage, now I've left collage i've pretty much paid it all back in my taxes.

It's not unfair atall, I think of it as a loan as you're going to be paying it all back anyway.

[JACKTARD]

im too young to, im only 15.

even if i was old enoug i wouldn't be able to because my household income is well over the £31,000 mark

[cocaine]

I think the people on this forum whos families have enough money to fund their children with £30 a week should stop moaning, stop being spoilt, EMA is for students whos families are struggling, for children that will need help in their later years, it isn't about "OH MY FAMILY OWNS OVER 25K I DONT GET EMA THATS UNFAIR ON ME!!" - it isn't, because you're family are obviously easily coping, your family earns enough to fund you with how much you need weekly.

Oh and all these people saying "I don't get EMA but my mom and dad are still struggling!!!!!!!!" is utter crap, that's the whole point of the EMA, if you don't get any EMA at all it means you parents are earning over £30,000 a year? (i think) - that is double the national minimum wage, and is easily enough income to survive in the current economic climate.

Stop moaning, just stop it.

My dad lost his job earlier this year, mom earns under 15k a year, so I get full £30 EMA ~ I deserve this as my dad can't find work and only earning £300 a week is VERY hard on a family of 4, mortgage, bills, and what not ~ we are a family thats really struggling, and I find it quite offensive that those of you who are not entitled to EMA are moaning, when families like mine really are struggling.

That's my opinion, you may not agree with it, but quite frankly I couldn't really give a damn.

as much as my parents are very lucky to earn quite a bit of money between them, there would be no way in hell would they give me £30 a week - however i do agree with your post entirely.

[StefanWolves]

Yes I understand that you might not get £30 in cash a week, but you probably get £30 per week in other stuff, scattered all over the week, clothing, other stuff, nights out, ect... with my family struggling I am lucky to get £10 a week in this economic climate.

you have to take these things into account.

[cocaine]

Yes I understand that you might not get £30 in cash a week, but you probably get £30 per week in other stuff, scattered all over the week, clothing, other stuff, nights out, ect... with my family struggling I am lucky to get £10 a week in this economic climate.

you have to take these things into account.

i guess so, but it probably depends on the circumstances. I work and i recieve the money and i fund myself entirely out of my own pocket. but i understand what you're saying and its probably true with a lot of people that moan because they dont qualify for EMA.

[Wahey]

I think it's fair with people who's got parents with no jobs.

[luce]

we don't have that here but we have something similar and they give it out to every family on an income to allowance ratio. As it happens we don't get any but our system seems to work pretty well because if you go to the grammar school here the uniform can be up to £200 all inclusive.

[Feep]

The bonuses also get me, why do kids who already get money weekly deserve extra rewards for showing up to school like the rest of us have to do anyway?

Yeah very true, There is a big flaw in the system

[StefanWolves]

it isn't a flaw at all.

it's just hundreds of rich spoilt popular kids throwing their dummies out their prams because they are to wealthy for it.

[cocaine]

it isn't a flaw at all.

it's just hundreds of rich spoilt popular kids throwing their dummies out their prams because they are to wealthy for it.

way to stereotype a certain percent of the british population, without any justified reason whatsoever.

[StefanWolves]

you've changed your tune, you were fully in agreement with me earlier.


Originally Posted by TheWolf
I think the people on this forum whos families have enough money to fund their children with £30 a week should stop moaning, stop being spoilt, EMA is for students whos families are struggling, for children that will need help in their later years, it isn't about "OH MY FAMILY OWNS OVER 25K I DONT GET EMA THATS UNFAIR ON ME!!" - it isn't, because you're family are obviously easily coping, your family earns enough to fund you with how much you need weekly.

Oh and all these people saying "I don't get EMA but my mom and dad are still struggling!!!!!!!!" is utter crap, that's the whole point of the EMA, if you don't get any EMA at all it means you parents are earning over £30,000 a year? (i think) - that is double the national minimum wage, and is easily enough income to survive in the current economic climate.

Stop moaning, just stop it.

My dad lost his job earlier this year, mom earns under 15k a year, so I get full £30 EMA ~ I deserve this as my dad can't find work and only earning £300 a week is VERY hard on a family of 4, mortgage, bills, and what not ~ we are a family thats really struggling, and I find it quite offensive that those of you who are not entitled to EMA are moaning, when families like mine really are struggling.

That's my opinion, you may not agree with it, but quite frankly I couldn't really give a damn.
as much as my parents are very lucky to earn quite a bit of money between them, there would be no way in hell would they give me £30 a week - however i do agree with your post entirely.



Originally Posted by TheWolf
Yes I understand that you might not get £30 in cash a week, but you probably get £30 per week in other stuff, scattered all over the week, clothing, other stuff, nights out, ect... with my family struggling I am lucky to get £10 a week in this economic climate.

you have to take these things into account.
i guess so, but it probably depends on the circumstances. I work and i recieve the money and i fund myself entirely out of my own pocket. but i understand what you're saying and its probably true with a lot of people that moan because they dont qualify for EMA.

btw i wasn't quoting everyone but its what people are like around my area anyway.

[buttons]

way to stereotype a certain percent of the british population, without any justified reason whatsoever.
same way as people are called "scroungers" or "chavs" and whatever else for getting money off the government

[StefanWolves]

same way as people are called "scroungers" or "chavs" and whatever else for getting money off the government

if that baseless and inappropriate comment was aimed at me, i suggest you take your narrow minded nature and read what I have previously posted in this thread. I'm talking about from the last page up till now.

[buttons]

if that baseless and inappropriate comment was aimed at me, i suggest you take your narrow minded nature and read what I have previously posted in this thread. I'm talking about from the last page up till now.
i think you got the wrong end of the stick, i was saying that people who get EMA and other benefits (that'd be me) are apparently "chavs" and "scroungers" read it again i quoted what cocaine said and fyi "i suggest you take your narrow minded nature and read what i have previously posted in this thread" and you would see that i'm for EMA and gave my reasons for, so don't jump the gun :S

[StefanWolves]

soz im pretty defensive about this sort of ****, i can't be doin with spoilt rich children moaning about not having EMA.

sorry for verbally attacking you. ;)

maybe i did jump the gun, but i have my reasons. :P

[Geraint]

I think it's fair. We're not the richest of all families and when my sister had EMA I think she was allowed £10 a week. I know people who claim benefits and everything and their kids will get/have got £30 a week. All you rich kids on here, shut up, stop moaning. At least you family actually has the money to give to you and it's their choice wether they want to give it to you or not. Some people don't have that choice as parents don't always have the money. Hopefully, I should be allowed the full £30 a week.

[StefanWolves]

I think it's fair. We're not the richest of all families and when my sister had EMA I think she was allowed £10 a week. I know people who claim benefits and everything and their kids will get/have got £30 a week. All you rich kids on here, shut up, stop moaning. At least you family actually has the money to give to you and it's their choice wether they won't to give it to you or not. Some people don't have that choice as parents don't always have the money. Hopefully, I should be allowed the full £30 a week.

totally agree, this man has his dead screwed on, some of you guys should take note.

-COUGH- TO BAD HES WELSH -COUGH-

only kiddin geraint. ;)

[Teabags]

I'm currently not claiming EMA, but I do wonder, because I just scrape into the zone of not collecting EMA if I still could claim. Purely based on the fact that I have a twin brother; so would that allow myself to claim EMA by having less money per child?

[cocaine]

soz im pretty defensive about this sort of ****, i can't be doin with spoilt rich children moaning about not having EMA.

sorry for verbally attacking you. ;)

maybe i did jump the gun, but i have my reasons. :P

im not even moaning about it lol. its a fair concept, however it becomes unfair when those who recieve EMA use it for purposes other than for the intended reasons, eg, alcohol, personal convinience, etc.

[Meanies]

I think the people on this forum whos families have enough money to fund their children with £30 a week should stop moaning, stop being spoilt, EMA is for students whos families are struggling, for children that will need help in their later years, it isn't about "OH MY FAMILY OWNS OVER 25K I DONT GET EMA THATS UNFAIR ON ME!!" - it isn't, because you're family are obviously easily coping, your family earns enough to fund you with how much you need weekly.


That isn't entirely true for everyone though.. i don't get it and my family doesn't really have much money left over. I think I would've been able to get it but my stepdad got promoted and a payrise for a year so that meant I didn't. But he has 4 kids that he has to support aswell as my brother and I think we were only just over the cut-off point. My brother got £30 whilst I was living with my mum and dad and we seemed to have more to spare back then but now it's the other way round. And two of my stepdad's kids don't live near so he has to payout to go and see them and then when they come here to stay he feels he has to take them out places or he'll feel bad, then when we go down to see my family each summer that costs a fair bit in petrol aswell and by the time it's christmas and birthdays and whatnot there's not alot left. Mum has to give me £25 a week just for my lunch and bus ticket but now i started coming home for lunch instead to save her £40 a month. My stepdad has to carry on paying off a loan from his old relationship which his ex doesn't help with at all and both him and my mum left their old relationships without getting anything from the houses so we were even more stuck for money and still are. /lifestory.

So basically if they took circumstances into account then it'd be a better system.

[StefanWolves]

That isn't entirely true for everyone though.. i don't get it and my family doesn't really have much money left over. I think I would've been able to get it but my stepdad got promoted and a payrise for a year so that meant I didn't. But he has 4 kids that he has to support aswell as my brother and I think we were only just over the cut-off point. My brother got £30 whilst I was living with my mum and dad and we seemed to have more to spare back then but now it's the other way round. And two of my stepdad's kids don't live near so he has to payout to go and see them and then when they come here to stay he feels he has to take them out places or he'll feel bad, then when we go down to see my family each summer that costs a fair bit in petrol aswell and by the time it's christmas and birthdays and whatnot there's not alot left. Mum has to give me £25 a week just for my lunch and bus ticket but now i started coming home for lunch instead to save her £40 a month. My stepdad has to carry on paying off a loan from his old relationship which his ex doesn't help with at all and both him and my mum left their old relationships without getting anything from the houses so we were even more stuck for money and still are. /lifestory.

So basically if they took circumstances into account then it'd be a better system.

well that isn't the governments fault at the end of the day.

[Describe]

Your household income (for financial year 2008-09)
How much EMA you get up to £20,817 per year £30 per week £20,818 -

£25,521 per year £20 a week

£25,522 - £30,810 per year £10 a week more than

£30,810 per yearno entitlement to EMA
I'll be getting thirty quid a week.

[StefanWolves]

I'll be getting thirty quid a week.

welcome to the group bruva :)

[Feep]

soz im pretty defensive about this sort of ****, i can't be doin with spoilt rich children moaning about not having EMA.

sorry for verbally attacking you. ;)

maybe i did jump the gun, but i have my reasons. :P

Can you stop saying spoilt rich kids? Or I shall start calling you an unwanted poor kid.

Just because peoples parents earn over 31k a years doesn't make them rich. Alot of peopel do helpful things with there money. Alot of peoples money goes to tax's which pay for your pointless £100 bouns in the summer.

[Suspective]

You don't get that much with EMA. I'd be happy if I claimed the full 30.00

[Soy]

Money could be going to somewhere else more needed

[Neil]

No matter what the government says EMA is just not to help you in college, it's to keep you in college, you don't give people a £100 bonus at the end of the college year to help them in college, the money is obviously just so they can stop people going on Job Seekers or leaving education to work in McDonalds.

[Skajo]

No matter what the government says EMA is just not to help you in college, it's to keep you in college, you don't give people a £100 bonus at the end of the college year to help them in college, the money is obviously just so they can stop people going on Job Seekers or leaving education to work in McDonalds.
Another thing that should have stricter regulations as should EMA.

[StefanWolves]

I think the EMA regulations are already strict enough.

[Skajo]

I think the EMA regulations are already strict enough.
********.

It should be for maintaining education, not maintaining social lives. If you really want to learn, you'd find ways to get to college, you'd find ways. Many people I know only go to college because they don't want to get a job and get money for turning up 2 hours a day. Many people.

[StefanWolves]

I think that's the whole point of it.

You don't get ema if you don't meet targets or behave, so it's constantly giving you an incentive to learn, you don't get bonus at the end of the year if you don't have over 98% attendance.

Those are the rules that our tutors have gave us anyway, but I doubt that they will stick to them. :P

[Dan2nd]

I guess I fall into the 'spoilt little rich kid' category lol... sure I'm lucky I grew up in a fairly comfortable situation but as soon as I turned 18 my mum and dad said I had to pay my own way.. what did I do?... What do I think everyone should have to do? I got a part time job and spent my spare time in the evenings and weekends earning my own money.. and to be honest I'm glad I didn't get EMA because its thanks to my job that I've bought a nice car, can afford my insurence and can generally buy any pointless junk I don't need when I want... my friends on EMA on the other hand even though they get £30 a week still can barely afford a bus ride because they spend their 'earnings' on things they shouldn't be...

So meh claim EMA I don't care anymore it just might also be worth getting a job aswell though :)

[NIKKEE]

I think it's ridiculous, my parents only JUST make enough for me to not qualify.
Yet my friends mum who owns her own business apparently only makes £15,000 a year, yet she has a partner living with her with his own business earning at least £100,000 a year, yet she hasn't reporter this and that's illegal, the girls dad also pays money to them, and they live in a MASSIVE house and are out buying horses and what not, yet she still gets £30 a week.
We ALL go to school, and we ALL put in the effort.
Either everyone gets it or no-one at all.

Her mum is the type of women who knows how to work the system, so her precious daughter can stay at home, get tutors and still get this money.
Whilst poor old me has a 16 and a half hour part time job as well as being in full time education, and I have to study for myself with so little time.

And I still did better than her in my exams :)

[GommeInc]

It's come up alot before. The EMA system is terribly flawed and may as well not exist.

For a single child with a family income of £30,000 (£10 a week I think), then that's alot :/ That child shouldn't get it, £30,000 is alot for a family with one child.

The system should either be re-written or just abolished, the latter more tempting because the money doesn't always go towards anything educational, especially when schools and colleges are evolving to have equipment anyway. Bus passes are the only things the EMA should fork out for, for students, which students should never be given the money for - the passes could be distributed by the EMA using information on the college location and place of residence.

[Bun]

i JUST get £10 a week, which is not that much but canny to have. i don't get anything of my parents so the ten pound just adds to my part time job.

[Rozi]

My brother was too lazy to claim his £10 a week, which is just the stupidest thing ever.

[Catchy]

stop moaning all of you. the world isn't fair yeahyeah get over it.

[Callum.]

I've applied and will be getting the £30 a week. If I'm entitled to it, why should I not take it?



I think the people on this forum whos families have enough money to fund their children with £30 a week should stop moaning, stop being spoilt, EMA is for students whos families are struggling, for children that will need help in their later years, it isn't about "OH MY FAMILY OWNS OVER 25K I DONT GET EMA THATS UNFAIR ON ME!!" - it isn't, because you're family are obviously easily coping, your family earns enough to fund you with how much you need weekly.

Oh and all these people saying "I don't get EMA but my mom and dad are still struggling!!!!!!!!" is utter crap, that's the whole point of the EMA, if you don't get any EMA at all it means you parents are earning over £30,000 a year? (i think) - that is double the national minimum wage, and is easily enough income to survive in the current economic climate.

Stop moaning, just stop it.

My dad lost his job earlier this year, mom earns under 15k a year, so I get full £30 EMA ~ I deserve this as my dad can't find work and only earning £300 a week is VERY hard on a family of 4, mortgage, bills, and what not ~ we are a family thats really struggling, and I find it quite offensive that those of you who are not entitled to EMA are moaning, when families like mine really are struggling.

That's my opinion, you may not agree with it, but quite frankly I couldn't really give a damn.

Are you sure you're getting £30? If your dad lost his job this year, and was working this year I doubt you'll be getting it as it's done on 2008-2009 earnings where you mum and dad was in work.

[jackass]

It is completely unfair - it's almost as if they assume that as your parents earn more, they will just GIVE you the money. :rolleyes:

[N!ck]

I think either everyone should get it or nobody should get it. I was literally about £100-200 over the boundary to get £10 per week so I got nothing. My parents geve me a similar amount of money per week to those who were getting £30 from EMA, so go figure. If they earned slightly less we would actually be better off.

[colourpot]

I cant get it, my parents earn too much

[Geraint]

It is completely unfair - it's almost as if they assume that as your parents earn more, they will just GIVE you the money. :rolleyes:

there's a difference between having the money to give to you and not having the money to give to you.

[today]

I claim it, and i never get it on time >:[

[Black_Apalachi]

ooou *evens out the score to 25-25* :O


My brother was too lazy to claim his £10 a week, which is just the stupidest thing ever.

I knew someone who was the same :rolleyes:.

I got the full 30 for my two years in sixth form and was basically able to save most of it up. One thing that happened to me was that something happened (I can't remember what) but I stopped getting it for quite a few months but then got it backtracked all the way back so I ended up getting like £150 in one go :P.

I think it's fair because my parent(s) didn't/don't earn much at all compared to other families but at the same time, lots of my friends were always moaning about not being intitled to it and I could see their point. One of my friends even got it because his parents are seperated but his dad is MINNTEEDDDD lol.

btw EMA bonus FTW <3 :D

[Tintinnabulate]

The British goverment are idiots. They pay people to go to College? Its ridiculous. People should feel privileged that they get education. Goverment shouldnt have to bribe them with money :\ In other countries where people have to pay, they realise how important Education is. When they make it free and start paying later, it gives students the wrong idea.

Paying out millions on benefits and crap like this and people wonder why this country is in this position now.

[GoldenMerc]

to be honest, everyone i know who gets ema spends it on booze, drugs what not. due to the fact their parents give them money aswel, i mean i hardly get anything from my parents i proberly get around the same as ema cadinates its such a crap system

[Robbie]

I can claim £30 and I am claiming £30 - however, I think the system is wrong and I'd be going to College even if I didn't get paid - but £30 is there for me on a plate, so I might as well take it.

[Black_Apalachi]

I can claim £30 and I am claiming £30 - however, I think the system is wrong and I'd be going to College even if I didn't get paid - but £30 is there for me on a plate, so I might as well take it.

I forgot about that actually - I only found out about EMA as I was going into sixth-form so yeah, it was just "free money for no reason" as far as I was concerned because I was staying at school anyway :P.

[ifuseekamy]

They should just give free bus passes and equipment to people "too poor" to afford it. Although I didn't know a single person who was in a position where they needed EMA so much as they wanted it. It's obviously enticement to get kids to go to college. Their parents will still be getting child benefits on top of it and plenty of people seem to do fine without EMA through school.

[Immenseman]

i hate it. simply because i'm not entitled to a penny. just because my parents earn a decent wage doesn't mean they give me any dolla!

[Niall!]

Im eighteen, why should my parents give me money? Im old enough. And if I was given ema I would carry on at college. Some people do 'sponge' off the goverment I don't know what kind of situation your family is in so I can't and won't comment on it.

I think 75% of EMA is used to buy drugs and alcohol. All the people I know blow there money on nights out.

Parents are supposed to put you through education.

They won't mind you sponging off them if they really love you.

[Robbie]

The thing is - we earn more than enough with just my mum working, Dad had an accident and is disabled and can't work (much) so he gets money such as DLA etc - but we still fall into the £30 category.

They need to completely rethink the EMA scheme as it's being abused - I don't know how they could do it but they need to make it much harder to get rather than just having household income categories.

*emailz gordon brown*

[Immenseman]

I can see why such a scheme was implemented but I know people who are entitled to EMA and their EMA payment was actually a deciding factor in their decision to go to college, it's stupid. I can't blame them - I blame the scheme in general. A few of my mates have it who don't really need it but they use it for relatively constructive things.

[NIKKEE]

EMA isn't a bribe for people to go to school, it's there because ages ago, kids would leave school at 16 so they could help with income towards their families, but now if they're staying on they can't do that so it's supposed to help towards maybe food or whatever, instead of drink and what not like every single person at my school who gets EMA spends it on.
I agree with the person who said that education should be a privilege and that you shouldn't pay people to go or they take it for granted.
I still don't think anyone should get it, and if families need more money then kids can go out and get a part-time job like the rest of us, I don't get any pocket money from my parents, so just because my parents make enough for me to not qualify doesn't mean I get anything, I'm still poor, if I want clothes I have to buy them myselves, the only things that are paid for is food and I suppose gifts. We don't go on expensive holidays because we still don't have enough, so I still have to go to school and work, yet theirs lazy kids who do nothing yet get £30 a week, and that's a ridiculous lesson to be taught.

[StefanWolves]

The British goverment are idiots. They pay people to go to College? Its ridiculous. People should feel privileged that they get education. Goverment shouldnt have to bribe them with money :\ In other countries where people have to pay, they realise how important Education is. When they make it free and start paying later, it gives students the wrong idea.

Paying out millions on benefits and crap like this and people wonder why this country is in this position now.

So you're calling the government that you get money off idiots? typical.

Come back next time but back up your statements that simply are not true, just because YOU AREN'T struggling, doesn't mean other families aren't.

[Caution]

So you're calling the government that you get money off idiots? typical.

Come back next time but back up your statements that simply are not true, just because YOU AREN'T struggling, doesn't mean other families aren't.
You seem to have the idea that everyone that gets EMA needs it and everyone that doesn't, doesn't need it. EMA could be scrapped and the millions it pays out every month could be put into something more useful.

[StefanWolves]

I agree, it could be used for other things like pension for elderly people, but in these current economic times it really will help me out.

[Feep]

I agree, it could be used for other things like pension for elderly people, but in these current economic times it really will help me out.
If you didn't claim ema you would be in the same boat as me. I've got no money all summer to do stuff with and you have just because you went to college which is what your suposed to do anyway.

[Geraint]

The British goverment are idiots. They pay people to go to College? Its ridiculous. People should feel privileged that they get education. Goverment shouldnt have to bribe them with money :\ In other countries where people have to pay, they realise how important Education is. When they make it free and start paying later, it gives students the wrong idea.

Paying out millions on benefits and crap like this and people wonder why this country is in this position now.

Bet you're one of them "Don't leave left overs, there's people in Africa starving" types. :rolleyes:

[Barwy]

Feep, you're talking out of your behind.
EMA is brilliant, if you can get it. I can't, although this might be able to change come september - I'll have to drive 26 miles each weekday in order to do my art course in a not-so-nearby town, think how much in petrol thats going to cost. If i was eligible for it, I would get a little bit of money each week paying for my travel costs which in turn helps me complete my college course, which leads to me going to uni, obtaining a degree and coming out at the top of the academic hierarchy.
EMA is great for people who might not have the money, sure some people 'waste' it on drink and the occasional smoke - nothing wrong with that - but a monies incentive makes students continually engaged with education. Education at a state level is open to everyone, you don't have to have large sums of money in order to learn (until you are 18+, then college courses do become expensive).

I'll leave it there, since im too ill to even remember what you were ranting on about in your first post..but yeah. think about the bigger picture, socially and economically in this case, before you post

[Alkaz]

Tbh, the maximum you can claim is like £1000 a year, some peoples family could be earning £10,000 a year, when your parents earn £40,000 a year and you say its unfair, think of that £30,000 gap in between the salaries. I think the system is very fair and gives those from a less privileged background a chance to go to a college/sixth form.


Also, why do people say it should go on other things, there is so much set out for everything, over the past how ever many years, like £6billion has gone unclaimed by pensioners because they did not know that the help was there for them. That £6bn had to be there to be able to offer it, where has that gone? At least with EMA it is encouraging those from a less privileged household to go to do their A levels to improve their lives, its a totally brilliant spend of money.

[jam666]

I will recieve the full amount in september, however my parents dont feed off the government, infact we dont even have an income anymore.

One key word called interest and money management also help. ;)

[Barwy]

You can also bring a controversial point to the debate:
Should everyone really have the chance of a 'good' education?

Elaboration - Degrees, and A Levels (further education) are becoming more and more common each year. Essentially, the more people with these qualifications, means the qualification decreases in value. Suddenly everyone has four A Levels. Everyone is back where they started.

[Alkaz]

You say that but why should already wealthy people have the only opportunities to better them selves and earn lots of money when people who are poor arent allowed that opportunity? Also, alot of people go to uni and have degrees and dont do there chosen profession and some times dont even work anywere like what there degree may suggest. Even with A levels, Emma Watson who plays Hermoine in Harry Potter, straight A's in her GCSE's and A levels, yet she is an actress and a model. Just an example but now everyone with a levels and degrees will use them so why not open it up to a wider spectrum of people :[

[Barwy]

Im not saying I support my hypothesis, Im just bringing it up for discussion

And I disagree with you Alkaz. For hundreds and thousands of years, citizens with 'money' (wealthy folk) have always had better opportunities than 'poorer' people, especially when it comes to education. So since it's a proven fact that it's been happening for years, there's not a very big chance of it stopping now.

I agree that a person with a degree in one thing doesn't get a job in that profession, but this fact bears an insignificance to my question.

Emma Watson - her parents were lawyers. And lawyers aren't exactly the kind of people you expect to be living out of bins, they are always seen to have money. Since Emma had financial backing, it allowed her to study at a drama school and become an actress. If she didn't come from that kind of background, would she still be where she is today? Im pretty sure the answer you are looking for is not 'yes'

[Tristan]

Some people get it and others don't, I don't think that it is fair.

I think EMA is a bad thing alltogether, as most teens throw it all away on Alcohol and money for weed. Which is fueling some of the reasons why this contry is how it is.

lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol

please be serious.

[Tristan]

If you didn't claim ema you would be in the same boat as me. I've got no money all summer to do stuff with and you have just because you went to college which is what your suposed to do anyway.

You've got a family that can support you much better than those who are eligible for EMA can you *Removed*Don't be so stupid and selfish.


I claim EMA but even without it I'd have a ton of money for the summer if I wanted to spend it on whatever, because I save my money and don't spend it like a ******.

Edited by Catzsy [Forum Super Moderator]: Please do not double post within the 15 minute editing time or be rude to others. Thanks.

[Metric1]

I think the money should be paid directly to the institution.

[Feep]

lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol

please be serious.
How is it not serious. Everybody I know spends there ema on going out to clubs or weed. Lolololollololol YM


You've got a family that can support you much better than those who are eligible for EMA can you *Removed*Don't be so stupid and selfish.


I claim EMA but even without it I'd have a ton of money for the summer if I wanted to spend it on whatever, because I save my money and don't spend it like a ******.

Edited by Catzsy [Forum Super Moderator]: Please do not double post within the 15 minute editing time or be rude to others. Thanks.
I'm neither being stupid or selfish. Im laying down the facts sorry if you don't like it :rolleyes:

[StefanWolves]

If you think just because you see a few people spending EMA on the wrong things, then think that everybody does the same then you are in such denial.

[Feep]

If you think just because you see a few people spending EMA on the wrong things, then think that everybody does the same then you are in such denial.
I'm obviously not saying that because obviously I know not everybody does it. But a very high percentage does.

[Niall!]

and in this thread kids, Feep is butthurt over not being able to get 30 pounds to spend on weed and booze whereas we can.

[StefanWolves]

Some people on this forum, and especially some of the big headed spoilt brats who have posted in this thread, moaning that they don't get EMA, just think, your family is wealthy, is able to give you money if you ask, you're able to go out knowing you always have your families money to fall back on, if anything does go wrong.

Some people in this world don't get that, just open your eyes for christs sake.

[Tristan]

How is it not serious. Everybody I know spends there ema on going out to clubs or weed. Lolololollololol YM


I'm neither being stupid or selfish. Im laying down the facts sorry if you don't like it :rolleyes:

Yeah, of course they do. :rolleyes:

And facts? No, you're just acting like a stupid ******.

[GommeInc]

Scrap the EMA and replace it with free bus passes and money sent to the institution for equipment. Cut out the middle terrace of spending it on crap when the whole point is for "Educational Maintenance". The only people who seem to be defending it are the people who have or like the idea of a dangled carrot infront of them :/ Besides, most colleges and sixth forms are free to all and the only thing that costs is the transports (thus, free bus passes/train passes). Resits that do cost could just be asked for through an Educational body where you can request assistance.

It stops the idiots claiming EMA who don't use it for its worth (and then flame anyone who dares to suggest to take the bottle away from the baby) and gives the people who cannot afford the transport costs to have a good chance of a decent education. Money doesn't make, or should make, anyone smarter :/ Not forgetting money isn't wasted of the selfish and spoilt.

[Pyroka]

Scrap the EMA and replace it with free bus passes and money sent to the institution for equipment. Cut out the middle terrace of spending it on crap when the whole point is for "Educational Maintenance". The only people who seem to be defending it are the people who have or like the idea of a dangled carrot infront of them :/ Besides, most colleges and sixth forms are free to all and the only thing that costs is the transports (thus, free bus passes/train passes). Resits that do cost could just be asked for through an Educational body where you can request assistance.

It stops the idiots claiming EMA who don't use it for its worth (and then flame anyone who dares to suggest to take the bottle away from the baby) and gives the people who cannot afford the transport costs to have a good chance of a decent education. Money doesn't make, or should make, anyone smarter :/ Not forgetting money isn't wasted of the selfish and spoilt.

Bang on. I never got EMA but a lad who feels that he didnt need to do any college work because his parents were stupidly rich, I mean 2 DB9's and a mansion plus his Dell XPS and Macbooks, well he got EMA because his dad was a lawyer and found a loophole. What a fair system EMA was... I could've seriously done with it, I was working whilst at College and I gotta admit I didnt have hardly any time to get work done on weekends because I was constantly working. I'd tell myself to do more work after a 9-6 shift but I was kidding myself, I was exhausted. Meanwhile, my friends who collect EMA do not work and they get to spend their time playing computer games and doing their coursework on weekends.

How very very... fair. It's like they expect people with kids who have over a certain income can almost definetely afford to spend however much is needed, some prices being extortionate. Last year, I had to pay for my own rail pass for a year out of my birthday money, that was fun. 300 quid. Year before my parents paid for it but because they couldn't afford it due to mortgages and bills, I had to pay them back.

EMA really doesn't look into the background, I mean both my parents work and they have massive bills to pay too, does this mean that they can spare money to do this? I think a fair thing to do would be to give each kid £100, £200 or £300 per school year, so that they can pay for such things as bus passes. Of course that would be based upon income... but its their fault if they spend it, the whole getting money on a drip per week is just such a bad idea. My mates claimed it and saved up for iPods and games. I had to pay my way through college.

Inevitably it's going to be the same with University too, with my mates all getting grants and me getting zilch. Yep I gotta say, the government have got the whole 'fair' thing mapped out pretty well.

[Coding]

i get ema but also parents money so my ema money gets saved and i get £20 child benefit every week aswell

LiViiN TH3 HiGhLiF3

[ifuseekamy]

Scrap the EMA and replace it with free bus passes and money sent to the institution for equipment. Cut out the middle terrace of spending it on crap when the whole point is for "Educational Maintenance". The only people who seem to be defending it are the people who have or like the idea of a dangled carrot infront of them :/ Besides, most colleges and sixth forms are free to all and the only thing that costs is the transports (thus, free bus passes/train passes). Resits that do cost could just be asked for through an Educational body where you can request assistance.

It stops the idiots claiming EMA who don't use it for its worth (and then flame anyone who dares to suggest to take the bottle away from the baby) and gives the people who cannot afford the transport costs to have a good chance of a decent education. Money doesn't make, or should make, anyone smarter :/ Not forgetting money isn't wasted of the selfish and spoilt.
I agree, they should provide whatever the student needs in terms of transport and equipment. That would be much easier than the EMA scheme which always faces backlogs and delays anyway.

[LipsLikeSugar]

Scrap the EMA and replace it with free bus passes and money sent to the institution for equipment. Cut out the middle terrace of spending it on crap when the whole point is for "Educational Maintenance". The only people who seem to be defending it are the people who have or like the idea of a dangled carrot infront of them :/ Besides, most colleges and sixth forms are free to all and the only thing that costs is the transports (thus, free bus passes/train passes). Resits that do cost could just be asked for through an Educational body where you can request assistance.

It stops the idiots claiming EMA who don't use it for its worth (and then flame anyone who dares to suggest to take the bottle away from the baby) and gives the people who cannot afford the transport costs to have a good chance of a decent education. Money doesn't make, or should make, anyone smarter :/ Not forgetting money isn't wasted of the selfish and spoilt.

Fab ideas ~ I totally agree

[GommeInc]

I agree, they should provide whatever the student needs in terms of transport and equipment. That would be much easier than the EMA scheme which always faces backlogs and delays anyway.
Indeed - a bus pass that lasts a whole term is more worthwhile than a belated sum of money, so it's more worthwhile. Especially when bus passes are in the process of being created quite quickly AND a bus pass is better and cheaper in the long run than having to spend x amount of money each day (as it would or should be intended with the weekly/monthly settlements) that you get with the current system.

[StefanWolves]

I think some of you people are totally missing the point, and to whoever said that most people spend it on crap, yes i WILL challenge you, cause my EMA won't be going on CRAP at all, because I NEED that money, and I am entitled to it, as I can't get money from anywhere else, I've already stated numerous times in this thread why, and so have many others, so I suggest you go read those again before making such RIDICULOUS and spoilt comments, dangled carrot? pfft, spoilt are we?

As the saying goes, don't fix something which is not broken.

Yes, I just took the bottle from the babies mouth.

[ifuseekamy]

I've also seen people who have separated parents and will say they live with the one who earns the least so they can claim EMA. Some even say they live with their grandparents so they can claim it. It's just a horribly flawed system created as an incentive to get kids into college so the government can boast about statistics. What exactly is that "bonus" they get at the end of term for? Surely the government could be pouring this money into more important things like healthcare or creating jobs, especially during the recession.

[Pyroka]

I think some of you people are totally missing the point, and to whoever said that most people spend it on crap, yes i WILL challenge you, cause my EMA won't be going on CRAP at all, because I NEED that money, and I am entitled to it, as I can't get money from anywhere else, I've already stated numerous times in this thread why, and so have many others, so I suggest you go read those again before making such RIDICULOUS and spoilt comments, dangled carrot? pfft, spoilt are we?

As the saying goes, don't fix something which is not broken.

Yes, I just took the bottle from the babies mouth.

Congratulations! You're the first person who *might not* spend their EMA on something completely pointless! +rep! :D

I bet that money really goes towards a wolverhampton season ticket ;) LOL.

[StefanWolves]

No my mom and dad paid for it as birthday and christmas present.

[GommeInc]

I think some of you people are totally missing the point, and to whoever said that most people spend it on crap, yes i WILL challenge you, cause my EMA won't be going on CRAP at all, because I NEED that money, and I am entitled to it, as I can't get money from anywhere else, I've already stated numerous times in this thread why, and so have many others, so I suggest you go read those again before making such RIDICULOUS and spoilt comments, dangled carrot? pfft, spoilt are we?

As the saying goes, don't fix something which is not broken.

Yes, I just took the bottle from the babies mouth.
You seem to be someone who's not understanding what the EMA is for? What has been suggested - an organisation to replace it which targets individuals who find it financially difficult to get into education or stay in education - seems to be the wiser option. An organisation that gives out free bus passes to people in its catchment - that's children and teenagers who cannot afford to get equipment and resits, let alone transport to their colleges or schools. That way you get a bus pass which lasts a term (I think most bus companies do term and year passes for students?) and then later assists with handing out free equipment and funds for anything like resits - at least that way the EM part of the EMA is actually truthful :/ It's maintaining your education. Dangling a carrot at the poor is hardly a wise idea, not everyone is going to save it - alot will eat it and blow it away :/

If you need money for anything else, then either get a job or benefits (though the latter is a bit tongue in cheek). It's name suggests it is for educational purposes, not an Entertainment Maintenance Allowance.

[StefanWolves]

You seem to be someone who's not understanding what the EMA is for? What has been suggested - an organisation to replace it which targets individuals who find it financially difficult to get into education or stay in education - seems to be the wiser option. An organisation that gives out free bus passes to people in its catchment - that's children and teenagers who cannot afford to get equipment and resits, let alone transport to their colleges or schools. That way you get a bus pass which lasts a term (I think most bus companies do term and year passes for students?) and then later assists with handing out free equipment and funds for anything like resits - at least that way the EM part of the EMA is actually truthful :/ It's maintaining your education. Dangling a carrot at the poor is hardly a wise idea, not everyone is going to save it - alot will eat it and blow it away :/

If you need money for anything else, then either get a job or benefits (though the latter is a bit tongue in cheek). It's name suggests it is for educational purposes, not an Entertainment Maintenance Allowance.

After reading that, it becomes blatantly clear that you haven't read the whole thread, if you did you would actually know what situation i'm in.

So go read, it's not all flowers and sunshine in this world you know.

And please don't go all 'I'm posh and political and I will ram words down your throat' on me, I can't be doing with debating with someone who gets his point across like Gordon Brown does.

[GommeInc]

After reading that, it becomes blatantly clear that you haven't read the whole thread, if you did you would actually know what situation i'm in.

So go read, it's not all flowers and sunshine in this world you know.

And please don't go all 'I'm posh and political and I will ram words down your throat' on me, I can't be doing with debating with someone who gets his point across like Gordon Brown does.
Why should I read the whole thread? The EMA is for educational purposes? What else do you need to know? The E is for educational and M is for Maintanance? Why do I need to read the whole thread when I am quite clear on what the EMA is and stands for? I'm not challenging you, I'm challenging the idea of the current EMA on how useless and exploited it is. It's to maintain education - which means anything educational. If you're spending it on other stuff and in a "situation", pull yourself out of the mess rather than get paid for the wrong reasons to do it :/

Also, no-where in this thread are there any good reasons to have it, let alone any notice of what situation you are in. There should be a new system which cuts out all problems like free transport passes and assistance when money is needed, for educational purposes. :/

[Pyroka]

I'd watch what you say TheWofl, because Gomme is in fact the prime minister and his opinions will in fact get turned into law. *nod*

/sarcasm

Stop taking it so god damn seriously, its like you're defending your manhood. I dont agree with EMA one bit, I think free passes are the way to go because that really is all you need to get to college and back. If you can't afford the food, make packed lunch or even... *dramatic pause* get a job! :O!!!!!

[StefanWolves]

Okay, how about a laptop to write your essays? what then you go about buying Microsoft Office (not everyone torrents, I do, but that's besides the point. :P) - that alone would knock you about £500, at least. Not everyone is fortunate to own such things, like we are.

That's just one of many things responsible teenagers would spend their EMA on, and yes, the majority of teenagers are responsible, it's just the minority full of chavs who use it on booze and drugs.

[GommeInc]

You get loads who spend it on gigs too, the unchavvy ones at that! :P

And most households have a computer of some sort, and loads of places do good deals, especially when £500 is a rip off for a laptop. And colleges/schools have the facilities for essay writing (or should do in this day and age?) :S Aren't essays still allowed to be handwritten?

[StefanWolves]

Lol... Do you know how solid college would be if you hand written it all? and I said £500 with MS Office. :D

[GommeInc]

It's how college did it last year at least? :S It's only done on computer to save some people time, and £500 still seems like alot just for a computer and Office :P Unless you're buying the Professional version of Office and and a mid-range lappy to boot :P

[StefanWolves]

Well I got a good deal for my laptop on Amazon for £320 (saved up from my job), so yeah, maybe I exaggerated it a little bit, but it's still a lot of money.

[Feep]

I think some of you people are totally missing the point, and to whoever said that most people spend it on crap

I never said you did. I said most people do.

[Tristan]

Well what about this?
Just because it's your most recent income doesn't mean you're spending that money on stuff.
If I started with £800 in my bank, and got say £300 from EMA over the year, if I spent £800 that doesn't mean that I spent the EMA + £500 of my money...
People are just looking for reasons to criticise when they feel so stupidly jealous that others get it when they don't - well guess what, you've got more than the people have that are getting it. Don't be so selfish, spiteful and depreciative. It's disgusting.

Anyway, I agree - it'd be better to get free bus passes. I'd prefer it. But then again, what if the money is spent on people's bus passes? Just because the government or some company or whatever doesn't do it for you, doesn't mean that the money isn't used for useful things like that.
But no - you don't get the money upfront, you don't get the £300 year money in advance. So according to so many people's logic in here - you buy a bus pass for so much money, then at the end of the year get money at the end of the year.
How about people stop being so narrow-minded and shallow and actually think of the EMA money relieving the debt? But no - you'd think of it as "well you're paying your own money on the bus passes and then spending the ema money on crap!"
**** off, the money helps with the hundreds that you have to pay for a bus pass, and then people are free to spend whatever money they have earnt themselves on crap.

- I realise this post is worded really poorly, but you should be able to make sense of what I am saying.

[GoldSolid]

I'm gonna be able to claim it in september.
And yeah it probably will mostly go on weed.. :L
But it is unfair, but I'm not complaining, it's an extra £30 a week in my pocket.

[Shockwave.2CC]

I will get £10 when i start college in about 3 weeks

I get the lowest amount because one of my parents works and brings in a bit of money

[Jackbee]

i'm getting it hopefully

£20

[ItsDave]

Can't claim for it unless I live with my Dad. It's a total shambles. The Governement just loves handing money out.

[Isoelectric]

I've been accepted and i'm getting the full £30 woooo!!!

[PaulMacC]

I think I can claim EMA, not sure how much £10-£30 though I still need to submit my form. I think they system is flawed and unfair towards those who make a bit more money. Yeah they may earn 35k plus a year but who's to say they give their children anything. I know for a fact I wouldn't receive £30 a week off my parents, my friends dont either.

[StefanWolves]

I think I can claim EMA, not sure how much £10-£30 though I still need to submit my form. I think they system is flawed and unfair towards those who make a bit more money. Yeah they may earn 35k plus a year but who's to say they give their children anything. I know for a fact I wouldn't receive £30 a week off my parents, my friends dont either.

It's their parents choice to give them the money or not, but at least they have THE CHOICE, some families have no choice whatsoever, and that is what EMA is for.

[Vuar]

Dont Claim It -.-

[PaulMacC]

It's their parents choice to give them the money or not, but at least they have THE CHOICE, some families have no choice whatsoever, and that is what EMA is for.
Still not fair.
Your saying a child who's parent isnt giving them money deserves money that a child who's parent has the money and wont give them it.
Why, it's basically the same thing.

[Tristan]

Still not fair.
Your saying a child who's parent isnt giving them money deserves money that a child who's parent has the money and wont give them it.
Why, it's basically the same thing.

***
The parents of those who claim EMA are much less able to support their children than those parents of children who can't claim it.
It's not about giving money to children as if it's pocket money for gods sake, it's about being able to provide with essentials through their child's education and help support them.

[9y]

I think there should be no option to NOT receive EMA at all, Even if its just an extra £5 a week, Or something to cover your food costs while at college. Its something that is quite annoying because why should they get it and I shouldn't, its not my fault my parents earn more, its not their parents don't. It should be based on the person only, not as well as the parents. The attendance, The punctuality, the effort put into the course. I'm not saying just reward the good people, but it doesn't take a time machine to get to college on time.

[Coding]

I think I can claim EMA, not sure how much £10-£30 though I still need to submit my form. I think they system is flawed and unfair towards those who make a bit more money. Yeah they may earn 35k plus a year but who's to say they give their children anything. I know for a fact I wouldn't receive £30 a week off my parents, my friends dont either.
it's not about giving them £30, the money is to support them for food, bus pass's and essentials for college etc and obviously some will be spent on clothes and other luxury's, but people who earn over the certain amount obviously can buy the child their own bus pass, dinner money for food etc and if they want clothes buy them it. it's not about giving them £30. it's about them having stuff they want when they can because they have the money to, people who don't earn that much money obviously cant do this and will struggle to spend £15-20 a week on a bus pass and £10-15 on dinners etc aswell as taking care of the home, food in the home etc.

[9y]

My parents refuse to give me money for food at college, Petrol money for my car (Or a bus pass when i didnt drive)

I could very easily go to College and spend £10 a day on food/petrol. I have to earn for myself, Why don't I deserve that money just because my parents earn more even though they are not helping me with my day to day life?

[Coding]

My parents refuse to give me money for food at college, Petrol money for my car (Or a bus pass when i didnt drive)

I could very easily go to College and spend £10 a day on food/petrol. I have to earn for myself, Why don't I deserve that money just because my parents earn more even though they are not helping me with my day to day life?
then thats where the system becomes unfair, but most people do get help from parents

[9y]

Yeah, That's why I think it should be based on the person and not the parents. But then again, The person could lie. So all in all, its still a mess.

+rep for the good points made. Thanks :)

[GommeInc]

I stick by what I said about the EMA should be scrapped, and a new body should be made (Education Maintenance Authority?) which gives out frer bus passes to children and teenagers within an average income range, with background checks, and monetary assistance if things that cost such as resits are required. Equipment could probably be asked for. That way, children and teenagers actually get maintenance for their education, don't spend it on stupid things, and the new authority doesn't waste stupid amounts of unnecessarily spent cash on people.

If you need money to maintain your life (not your education), get a job or benefits, and not something that is labelled Education Maintenance, which is there to maintain your education. Using it for food is not for educational use. If you survived pre-school, you can survive secondary and college with your parents feeding you. Simple.

[Coding]

I stick by what I said about the EMA should be scrapped, and a new body should be made (Education Maintenance Authority?) which gives out frer bus passes to children and teenagers within an average income range, with background checks, and monetary assistance if things that cost such as resits are required. Equipment could probably be asked for. That way, children and teenagers actually get maintenance for their education, don't spend it on stupid things, and the new authority doesn't waste stupid amounts of unnecessarily spent cash on people.

If you need money to maintain your life (not your education), get a job or benefits, and not something that is labelled Education Maintenance, which is there to maintain your education. Using it for food is not for educational use. If you survived pre-school, you can survive secondary and college with your parents feeding you. Simple.

just to drop in with a totally unhelpful post but ema is benefits tehe:) but yeah i do agree, bus passes and stuff would be a lot fairer to everyone but it'll just be too much hassle

[PaulMacC]

EMA doesn't take into account the amount of children in a family. Even if my parents are earning 30k+ a year I might have 4-5 sisters/brothers.
Also most of the people around my area receiving EMA spend it on alcohol and cigarettes.

[GommeInc]

just to drop in with a totally unhelpful post but ema is benefits tehe:) but yeah i do agree, bus passes and stuff would be a lot fairer to everyone but it'll just be too much hassle
Not proper benefits :P If you ask around I think there's a type of benefits a family can get to assist with life in general.

EDIT: Is it child benefit?


EMA doesn't take into account the amount of children in a family. Even if my parents are earning 30k+ a year I might have 4-5 sisters/brothers.
Also most of the people around my area receiving EMA spend it on alcohol and cigarettes.
That's another good point. The EMA doesn't take in how many children are in the family alledgible for the EMA. The EMA can't turn around to the families and say "stop having sex and earning £31,000" because it goes against so many rights.

EDIT: Apparently part-time jobs aren't included :S That's a huge loophole!

[Coding]

Not proper benefits :P If you ask around I think there's a type of benefits a family can get to assist with life in general.

EDIT: Is it child benefit?



EDIT: Apparently part-time jobs aren't included :S That's a huge loophole!

child benefit every parents get anyway, i get given mine from my mum so i'm lucky cos i get an extra £20 per week but some kids i know don't get it or even hear of it

and i think part time jobs are just for the student

[Danzilla]

Have you noticed the people who say its unfair are the only ones who don't receive it, i bet if you was receiving £30 a week or less you wouldn't complain about it...
Be honest, if you where offered free money, you would turn it down? I don't think so.

[itsMIKEYY]

My dad became disabled lastyear and can no longer work, so when i start college I get the full £30 a week. We literally ahve no money at all, and my dad was on a really well paid job.

[Charlottay!]

i get the full £30 when i start college next week-

[NIKKEE]

it's not about giving them £30, the money is to support them for food, bus pass's and essentials for college etc and obviously some will be spent on clothes and other luxury's, but people who earn over the certain amount obviously can buy the child their own bus pass, dinner money for food etc and if they want clothes buy them it. it's not about giving them £30. it's about them having stuff they want when they can because they have the money to, people who don't earn that much money obviously cant do this and will struggle to spend £15-20 a week on a bus pass and £10-15 on dinners etc aswell as taking care of the home, food in the home etc.

My parents earn a lot, but I'm being given nothing.
I have to travel by train, and a years train pass is £1000 + and there is no discount that I can find, only for those who are up to 18, and by the time I start Uni it'll be useless.
So I myself have had to go and work to save all this money, to then spend it on a flippin train journey, this is infuriating.
Why can't those other kids go and get jobs just the same, I don't see why they can't work to earn extra money!
I can do it, so can they. I mean seriously, £30 a week, I would save it for Uni so I could afford to travel by train.
They can sit on their backsides, and just turn up for school, something I ALREADY DO for free! I then have to work (really hard) for something that brings no enjoyment to me.
I couldn't give a crap if your mum has little money, unless their is some serious medical condition or something they can't help, it's called lazyness. And it's lazy not going out and getting a job yourself.

[Jongo]

i get £30 EMA a week and think it is completely unfair on those who don't. i get it because i live with my mum who's on a low wage but my dad who's on a high wage pays for everything in our house but lives elsewhere. my mate isn't elegible for it because his parents earn over the threshold. his mum said that they cant afford to give him that much a week so they just give him a tenner and he has to work to pay to go to college. also i think it's unfair as we get a bonus if we get good grades? how's that fair on the kids who get good grades and don't get EMA? it's a really mucked up system and everyone who attends should get something as it's a really low maximum household income line.

[PaulMacC]

Have you noticed the people who say its unfair are the only ones who don't receive it, i bet if you was receiving £30 a week or less you wouldn't complain about it...
Be honest, if you where offered free money, you would turn it down? I don't think so.
I'm receiving £30 a week and I think it's unfair. I know people who's mum and dad earn just above the minimum amount required for EMA and there is 5 of them in the family excluding the parents. I find it highly unfair they are able to qualify while a single parent with one child earns 18k a year and their child is getting 30 quid a week.

[Bun]

i get £10 a week (just!) but i also have a job (which is like slavery) because i get nothing off my parents. i pay for almost everything i want/need.

[Danzilla]

I'm receiving £30 a week and I think it's unfair. I know people who's mum and dad earn just above the minimum amount required for EMA and there is 5 of them in the family excluding the parents. I find it highly unfair they are able to qualify while a single parent with one child earns 18k a year and their child is getting 30 quid a week.

If you think its so unfair why keep receiving it then, you don't HAVE to get it, so obviously you don't otherwise you wouldn't ask for it.

[PaulMacC]

If you think its so unfair why keep receiving it then, you don't HAVE to get it, so obviously you don't otherwise you wouldn't ask for it.
I'm not going to turn down £30, nobody would but I think it's unfair for others.

[dirrty]

If you think its so unfair why keep receiving it then, you don't HAVE to get it, so obviously you don't otherwise you wouldn't ask for it.
lmao wheres the logic in turning down free money?

[Oleh]

i get EMA but my mum wont give it me because it has to buy clothes and food n stuff, and she knows ill just go buying games nd stuff

[Black_Apalachi]

i get EMA but my mum wont give it me because it has to buy clothes and food n stuff, and she knows ill just go buying games nd stuff

You get yours taken off you??? :O Oh man that sucks.

[Invent]

EMA is stupid. Give the money directly to the institutions (colleges, schools, etc) and let them buy the equipment for the people who are entitled to receive it. Giving teenagers £10-£30 a week to spend on "education" is just idiotic; what do you have to buy each week for £10+ (apart from transport)?

[lBlue]

EMA is stupid. Give the money directly to the institutions (colleges, schools, etc) and let them buy the equipment for the people who are entitled to receive it. Giving teenagers £10-£30 a week to spend on "education" is just idiotic; what do you have to buy each week for £10+ (apart from transport)?
Pencil sharpeners.

[Danzilla]

Exactly, if you still want it then stop complaining its unfair because if you really did think it was that unfair you wouldn't ask for it.

[StefanWolves]

Wow, are spoilt kids still moaning about not getting EMA? ******* hell, get over it.

ILL ENJOY MY £20 THAT WILL SUPPORT ME A LOT, THANKS.

[Jack.Lfc]

I hope you children are going to use ur ema to buy

-pens
-pencils
-books
-dinner

[Callum.]

can't wait. £30 straight into my bank account for just going to school, perfect.

[StefanWolves]

I hope you children are going to use ur ema to buy

-pens
-pencils
-books
-dinner

yeh boy. ;)

what do you spend yours on? im assuming you get the full £30 cus u live in liverpool? -joke-

[GommeInc]

If you think its so unfair why keep receiving it then, you don't HAVE to get it, so obviously you don't otherwise you wouldn't ask for it.
The whole system is unfair. You seem to have no argument other than "jealousy" which is blind and somewhat brain dead as you appear to not be taking in any arguments and therefore don't come out with a counter-argument :/ You may be receiving EMA payments, and find it unfair when others who are in a similar circumstance don't receive it, even though when you take the amount of family members into account, and the amount the parents earn into account, you're in the same boat :/

The whole EMA system is terribly flawed and makes no rational sense as a concept. Alot of money must be wasted through the EMA - £30 a week calculating at about over £1,000 per year (taking into account summer, christmas, easter etc) or £10 a week being around £300-500 when all that money could go towards something actually maintaing education, which would be train and bus passes which don't even cost half that (about £400 est. I make it) and they could get free equipment for some pupils e.g. art, photography tax free making less money wasted for things irrelevant for maintaining education - and resit fees don't cost the world either. That sort of system makes more sense and requires less effort on both the student AND the agency sides, than a system which seems to be dangling the carrot infront of people, and alot of people who do receive the EMA spend it on things completely irrelevant. It's no wonder this country doesn't understand the value of money, when education is a gift not to be wasted on people who apparently need money to get out of bed to go places. Don't give them the money, remind them of how lucky they are and give them support through other means which won't cause conflicts and a huge mess at the end of the day.

[StefanWolves]

The whole system is unfair. You seem to have no argument other than "jealousy" which is blind and somewhat brain dead as you appear to not be taking in any arguments and therefore don't come out with a counter-argument :/ You may be receiving EMA payments, and find it unfair when others who are in a similar circumstance don't receive it, even though when you take the amount of family members into account, and the amount the parents earn into account, you're in the same boat :/

The whole EMA system is terribly flawed and makes no rational sense as a concept. Alot of money must be wasted through the EMA - £30 a week calculating at about over £1,000 per year (taking into account summer, christmas, easter etc) or £10 a week being around £300-500 when all that money could go towards something actually maintaing education, which would be train and bus passes which don't even cost half that (about £400 est. I make it) and they could get free equipment for some pupils e.g. art, photography tax free making less money wasted for things irrelevant for maintaining education - and resit fees don't cost the world either. That sort of system makes more sense and requires less effort on both the student AND the agency sides, than a system which seems to be dangling the carrot infront of people, and alot of people who do receive the EMA spend it on things completely irrelevant. It's no wonder this country doesn't understand the value of money, when education is a gift not to be wasted on people who apparently need money to get out of bed to go places. Don't give them the money, remind them of how lucky they are and give them support through other means which won't cause conflicts and a huge mess at the end of the day.

Ugh, did you ever receive/are receiving EMA? my guess is no.

Were you ever eligible for EMA? my guess is no.

Would you of needed EMA? my guess is no.

You can't comment on behalf of the MILLIONS of students in this country who NEED EMA, you have no understanding of how much EMA will help out a large part of the child population in this country, some people are not as privilieged as you, It's becoming blatantly obvious that you live in a fairly wealthy family where government help (money) is not needed, so you or anyone else (that is not receiving EMA) on this forum doesn't have ANY rights to say that EMA is and I quote;
Alot of money must be wasted through the EMA ~ and you are persistantly saying that instead of EMA, give us bus passes/free train passes, how would that help? most people I know don't use the bus, to get to school or anything like that, they would only use it for going up town, no one I know uses the trains, we use the trams, but that's only to get up town (I fail to see how this would help any students at all, it would actually cause more problems, isn't our transport service in this country bad enough already? imagine what it would be like if millions of students getting free transport? big no no). you are also saying 'Instead of giving them money, just give them school equipment' - erm? what do you think the whole point of EMA is?

Yes, I agree, some people will not spend it on the right things, but the vast majority will, honestly how many druggies/binge drinkers/chavs (these are the ones that give us teenagers a bad name, and these are the ones that would obviously miss-use this money) do you see at school ever getting to college/6th form? yes some do, but the vast majority don't.

I'm sorry if I'm coming across as all grouchy, but honestly, when people say money like this is a 'waste of money' really pisses me off, you have no right to say that, especially in this economic climate when MOST people who are eligible for EMA will use it on the right things.

And I cannot believe you said this:


It's no wonder this country doesn't understand the value of money, when education is a gift not to be wasted on people who apparently need money to get out of bed to go places. Don't give them the money, remind them of how lucky they are and give them support through other means which won't cause conflicts and a huge mess at the end of the day.

So you're saying that all the people who receive EMA are only going to school to receive EMA? yes I agree, the government does use it as an incentive to go to college, but even if I weren't eligible for EMA I'd still be going to college, so I do not see why you have bought this crap up.

EMA does not cause a huge mess, it stops the huge mess from happening.

[GommeInc]

You can't comment on behalf of the MILLIONS of students in this country WHO need EMA, you have no understanding of how much EMA will help out a large part of the child population in this country, some people are not as privilieged as you, It's becoming blatantly obvious that you live in a fairly wealthy family where government help (money) is not needed, so you or anyone else (that is not receiving EMA) on this forum doesn't have ANY rights to say that EMA is and I quote; ~ and you are persistantly saying that instead of EMA, give us bus passes/free train passes, how would that help? most people I know don't use the bus, to get to school or anything like that, they would only use it for going up town, no one I know uses the trains, we use the trams, but that's only to get up town.
I've never said the EMA doesn't help students - my argument is that it doesn't help students in the way that is feasible and useful to a decent range of students in the country ;) Also, free bus and train passes WILL help. That's what the EMA is designed to help with, to get to school and go have a decent education. Food isn't a problem, you get fed at home all the time :/ How do you go to education then? ;) You seem to digging a hole of "I'm one of these people who shouldn't have the EMA, I just like free money". What do you spend the EMA on then? Because from what I can tell it has nothing to do with the "E" in EMA, especially when transport costs are usually the only problem with getting to and from and educational establishment. I don't get any part of your argument, you seem to just want money. If you want money, go get a job rather than waste benefits for something completely irrelevant :/ Not being rude, but being honest. It doesn't make anyone look good. It's like being a beggar or tramp, but contracted and systematic. If the EMA was actually maintain education, by free transport and monetary assistant when necessary, the system would be fine, but it seems to be for the lazy (because loads only take it to get to school/college, as proven in this thread by a select few AND for people too lazy to get a job to get money for personal use).


Yes, I agree, some people will not spend it on the right things, but the vast majority will, honestly how many druggies/binge drinkers/chavs do you see at school ever getting to college/6th form? yes some do, but the vast majority don't.

I'm sorry if I'm coming across as all grouchy, but honestly, when people say money like this is a 'waste of money' really pisses me off, you have no right to say that, especially in this economic climate when MOST people who are eligible for EMA will use it on the right things.
I do have a right to say that actually, everyone does ;) Wanna guess where that money comes from? ;) And the economic downturn is partly due to handing out money with no return e.g. mortgages to the poor and giving out money to the poor, while getting no money back in return.

Seriously, you don't understand my point. Education isn't actually that expensive. The only expenses are on transport and usually equipment, and if the EMA transformed into an agency which gave out free bus/train passes (as well as other schemes), free equipment depending on the course and monetary assistance with things like re-sits, then you've got quite a good system with very little flaws and it covers all the problems, rather than literally waste unnecessary amounts of money. EMA is for educational purposes - personal purposes is what a job is for.


So you're saying that all the people who receive EMA are only going to school to receive EMA? yes I agree, the government does use it as an incentive to go to college, but even if I weren't eligible for EMA I'd still be going to college, so I do not see why you have bought this crap up.

EMA does not cause a huge mess, it stops the huge mess from happening.
It is the case for quite alot of people, so it's not crap. You've yet to give me a response that makes the EMA look like a good system as it is now. Your excuse is to defend it, like Smeagol and the one ring :/ Why is the EMA important for you? What does it do for your education? Because you've not answered. If you actually answered maybe we could waste less time ranting aimlessly at each other :/

[StefanWolves]

I've never said the EMA doesn't help students - my argument is that it doesn't help students in the way that is feasible and useful to a decent range of students in the country ;) Also, free bus and train passes WILL help. That's what the EMA is designed to help with, to get to school and go have a decent education. Food isn't a problem, you get fed at home all the time :/ How do you go to education then? ;) You seem to digging a hole of "I'm one of these people who shouldn't have the EMA, I just like free money". What do you spend the EMA on then? Because from what I can tell it has nothing to do with the "E" in EMA, especially when transport costs are usually the only problem with getting to and from and educational establishment. I don't get any part of your argument, you seem to just want money. If you want money, go get a job rather than waste benefits for something completely irrelevant :/ Not being rude, but being honest. It doesn't make anyone look good. It's like being a beggar or tramp, but contracted and systematic. If the EMA was actually maintain education, by free transport and monetary assistant when necessary, the system would be fine, but it seems to be for the lazy (because loads only take it to get to school/college, as proven in this thread by a select few AND for people too lazy to get a job to get money for personal use).


I do have a right to say that actually, everyone does ;) Wanna guess where that money comes from? ;) And the economic downturn is partly due to handing out money with no return e.g. mortgages to the poor and giving out money to the poor, while getting no money back in return.

Seriously, you don't understand my point. Education isn't actually that expensive. The only expenses are on transport and usually equipment, and if the EMA transformed into an agency which gave out free bus/train passes (as well as other schemes), free equipment depending on the course and monetary assistance with things like re-sits, then you've got quite a good system with very little flaws and it covers all the problems, rather than literally waste unnecessary amounts of money. EMA is for educational purposes - personal purposes is what a job is for.

I think you should re-read my post, as I edited it.

And seeing as though I'm 16, going to 6th form for 4 days a week, leaves only 1/2 days for work, I work on 1 day for 5 hours, which gets me £25 (which along with my EMA is just enough every week for me to support myself, with a little bit of help from my family, who are currently UNEMPLOYED), leaving the other two days for staying at home doing school work, so I don't know where you argument is going with that one.

Bus passes and train passes would not help, anyone, at all, terrible argument.

[GommeInc]

I think you should re-read my post, as I edited it.

And seeing as though I'm 16, going to 6th form for 4 days a week, leaves only 1/2 days for work, I work on 1 day for 5 hours, which gets me £25 (which along with my EMA is just enough every week for me to support myself, with a little bit of help from my family, who are currently UNEMPLOYED), leaving the other two days for staying at home doing school work, so I don't know where you argument is going with that one.

Bus passes and train passes would not help, anyone, at all, terrible argument.
Why is it terrible? You don't give an answer, which is leading me to believe even more that the EMA is the young beggars holy grail ;)

[StefanWolves]

Why is it terrible? You don't give an answer, which is leading me to believe even more that the EMA is the young beggars holy grail ;)

Did you read my above posts? before this debate goes any further, how old are you? are you/did you receive EMA? my guess is no anyway.

I don't see you giving me any proof that EMA is a bad idea, I don't see you linking to any studies/polls supporting your argument, all I see is a few fellow people on this forum supporting your idea, mainly because they are not receiving EMA.

[GommeInc]

Did you read my above posts? before this debate goes any further, how old are you? are you/did you receive EMA? my guess is no anyway.

I don't see you giving me any proof that EMA is a bad idea, I don't see you linking to any studies/polls supporting your argument, all I see is a few fellow people on this forum supporting your idea, mainly because they are not receiving EMA.
So we're agreed then, it is a stupid idea? ;) It is well known that some people do not use the EMA to maintain their education ;) I don't need proof for that. It is also well known that the system is flawed for not taking into consideration a need by need basis of how many are in the family and how much income is taken into account to support that family. Below are the requirements:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/14To19/MoneyToLearn/EMA/DG_066945


What is EMA?

Basically, EMA is cash in your hands to help you carry on learning. If you’re 16, 17 or 18 and have left, or are about to leave, compulsory education, then it could be for you.

EMA spells fewer money worries with up to £30 a week during term time – leaving you to get on with your studies.

To find out if you are eligible, see ‘EMA: how much, how often’.
^ What helps to carry on learning? This is common sense, by the way - transport and equipment costs. What has been suggested? Cutting out the transport and equipment costs, which will cost less than the current EMA system. What else does money need to be spent on? School uniform? You'd already have it and people over 16+ don't tend to have a use for uniform anymore. What else do you need to spend it on? Nothing, because nothing else is educational. Fact.


What could EMA do for you?
EMA is paid straight into your bank account

Whatever you decide to do, EMA could help you with the cost of books, travel, equipment or anything useful to continue learning.

It’s worth up to £30 a week, and it’s paid straight into your bank account, not to your parents or your college.
See, even the EMA website says it is there for costs of books, travel, equipment and anything of use. The quote above makes me believe that you don't know anything about the EMA and what it is for, especially when you said this:


...
Bus passes and train passes would not help, anyone, at all, terrible argument.

Which is why it would be better if the EMA cut out the middle man of giving students the money; but gave out free bus passes (as stated by the EMA, is a use for the money. FACT.), monetary assistance for equipment (also stated as a use by the EMA. FACT.) and other money concerns e.g. resits.

Seriously, you receive the EMA, yet know nothing about it's use :/

If you want money for personal use, get a job :/ Yes, college takes up alot of time, but that's what it is there for - to take up time to give you an education. A small, weekend job will give you enough money. The importance of saving is a great deal. Seriously, the EMA is based around greed. Whoever it was who said "people who disagree with the EMA are the only ones who don't get it" is proof of that :/

[StefanWolves]

So we're agreed then, it is a stupid idea? ;) It is well known that some people do not use the EMA to maintain their education ;) I don't need proof for that. It is also well known that the system is flawed for not taking into consideration a need by need basis of how many are in the family and how much income is taken into account to support that family. Below are the requirements:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/14To19/MoneyToLearn/EMA/DG_066945


^ What helps to carry on learning? This is common sense, by the way - transport and equipment costs. What has been suggested? Cutting out the transport and equipment costs, which will cost less than the current EMA system. What else does money need to be spent on? School uniform? You'd already have it and people over 16+ don't tend to have a use for uniform anymore. What else do you need to spend it on? Nothing, because nothing else is educational. Fact.


See, even the EMA website says it is there for costs of books, travel, equipment and anything of use. The quote above makes me believe that you don't know anything about the EMA and what it is for, especially when you said this:



Which is why it would be better if the EMA cut out the middle man of giving students the money; but gave out free bus passes (as stated by the EMA, is a use for the money. FACT.), monetary assistance for equipment (also stated as a use by the EMA. FACT.) and other money concerns e.g. resits.

Seriously, you receive the EMA, yet know nothing about it's use :/

If you want money for personal use, get a job :/ Yes, college takes up alot of time, but that's what it is there for - to take up time to give you an education. A small, weekend job will give you enough money. The importance of saving is a great deal. Seriously, the EMA is based around greed. Whoever it was who said "people who disagree with the EMA are the only ones who don't get it" is proof of that :/

Ugh, you seriously don't get the current situation for most families, do you? yes EMA is for Education costs, obviously, it can be saved up over the two years to help pay for University fees? ever thought of that?

Millions of people are in a bad way at the moment, money is hard to get your hands on, yes this money is for education, and most of mine will go on that, even if you and your narrow minded opinion doesn't agree with it.

Read my views on thos from page 1-now, then you will see why EMA will help many people, not just for education purposes, but for others in this terrible economic climate.

[GommeInc]

Ugh, you seriously don't get the current situation for most families, do you? yes EMA is for Education costs, obviously, it can be saved up over the two years to help pay for University fees? ever thought of that?

Millions of people are in a bad way at the moment, money is hard to get your hands on, yes this money is for education, and most of mine will go on that, even if you and your narrow minded opinion doesn't agree with it.

Read my views on thos from page 1-now, then you will see why EMA will help many people, not just for education purposes, but for others in this terrible economic climate.
Ever heard of student loans? ;) You can also get a job at university, AND the EMA isn't there to help pay for university - it's there for students aged 16 to 18. So you're avoiding the point, again. And it is for educational purposes, fact. If you can't understand that, stop spending on useless things. The economic climate isn't even that bad, so you're digging a well into something completely unrelated to the central point of the EMA. Besides, there are other benefit aids to your disposal. But the EMA, is yet again, for educational purposes and the EMA clearly states "transport, books, equipment and anything useful to continue learning." It's not narrow mindedness, just picking out that greed is a terrible desire - and it seems to be what you are suffering from, no offense :/

[StefanWolves]

Ever heard of student loans? ;)

Wow, so now you're suggesting for students to get in debt before they even get to go to Uni? I know it happens, but if saving up EMA helps me to get to Uni without being in as much debt, then so be it.


You can also get a job at university, AND the EMA isn't there to help pay for university

So now you are suggesting if people want to go to Uni, that they should, get in debt, then study, and have a job, all at the same time? wow? how many people do you see doing that?


it's there for students aged 16 to 18. So you're avoiding the point, again.

Lol, no, I'm not avoiding the point, just rubbing your face in another way that EMA could be used for EDUCATION MAINTENANCE, didn't you know Uni is also a part of the Education? :rolleyes: -sarcasm-


And it is for educational purposes, fact. If you can't understand that, stop spending on useless things.

So, now, I'm spending me EMA on useless things? seeing as though I haven't got any EMA yet (as I haven't yet started 6th form), way to go, nice jumping to conclusions their, however, yes, I have spent £350 of my EMA, on a laptop which I will be using for school work, Oh wait, that's something else that I will be using for education! thanks to my EMA, I leant the money off my nan until just before Chistmas, so when I have got enough EMA in my bank account, I will pay her back.


The economic climate isn't even that bad

Wow, understatement of the year? say that to the hundreds of thousands of people who have been made unemployed this year, FACT, my parents are a couple of those.


so you're digging a well into something completely unrelated to the central point of the EMA.

No i'm not, you are the trying to ram crap alternatives to EMA down peoples throats.

Yet again, I don't see you providing any proof of ANYONE saying that EMA is a waste and is not needed, all I see is you giving you opinions and your alternatives, with other people on this forum who are not receiving EMA agreeing with them.

[GommeInc]

Wow, so now you're suggesting for students to get in debt before they even get to go to Uni? I know it happens, but if saving up EMA helps me to get to Uni without being in as much debt, then so be it.
Your first sentence makes no sense, so I assume you know nothing of the University Student Loans. And also, you don't immediately start paying back the debt. And saving up the EMA won't do much, and again, that's not its purpose -.- A better system that doesn't pay out to students will be better for both the student and the system.


So now you are suggesting if people want to go to Uni, that they should, get in debt, then study, and have a job, all at the same time? wow? how many people do you see doing that?
Again, you know nothing of University. It's study, pass, then be in debt. And saving up the EMA will still keep you in debt, so this comment is completely irrelevant. And also, getting in debt requires no effort. University work only takes two to five hours a day - you can easily fit a job round that, either on campus or at a local store. If you're that lazy then you should probably not go to University in the first place. I know what I am talking about, you, franky, do not.


Lol, no, I'm not avoiding the point, just rubbing your face in another way that EMA could be used for EDUCATION MAINTENANCE, didn't you know Uni is also a part of the Education? :rolleyes: -sarcasm-
You're rubbing your greediness and stupidness in my face? How is that suppose to offend me? You're offending yourself :/ I know education includes University *Removed* Did you not read my comment or the EMA documentation you ignorant imbesile? I shall re-quote:


What is EMA?

Basically, EMA is cash in your hands to help you carry on learning. If you’re 16, 17 or 18 and have left, or are about to leave, compulsory education, then it could be for you.
It is for 16, 17 or 18 and have left, or are about to leave, compulsory education, then it could be for you. Jeez, again, you know nothing and avoid the point of the EMA -.-


So, now, I'm spending me EMA on useless things? seeing as though I haven't got any EMA yet (as I haven't yet started 6th form), way to go, nice jumping to conclusions their, however, yes, I have spent £350 of my EMA, on a laptop which I will be using for school work, Oh wait, that's something else that I will be using for education! thanks to my EMA, I leant the money off my nan until just before Chistmas, so when I have got enough EMA in my bank account, I will pay her back.
I never said you were spending the EMA on useless things? I said "stop spending on useless things". I didn't say "stop spend IT on useless things." Trying to re-word what I have said shows a losing argument. If you can't save up your money from work, or any sort of allowance (parents should be getting child benefits if they're that bad for money), then it's easy as that - stop spending on useless things -.- And you seem to yet again be losing my point. I am for the EMA in a different way that stops useless spending - the EMA should be an organisation or agency which gives monetary help for transport, eduipment and so on, without giving money to the students in question. Besides, a laptop isn't a necessary item for college ;)



Wow, understatement of the year? say that to the hundreds of thousands of people who have been made unemployed this year, FACT, my parents are a couple of those.
Job seekers allowance and saving, FACT ;)


No i'm not, you are the trying to ram crap alternatives to EMA down peoples throats.
I'm sorry if you like the words debt and broke ;) It's a better alternative for students and an organisation, FACT. Bus passes last longer than having to pay for a ticket each day, which means it will cost the student less anyway because the EMA is weekly, so unless you've taking out a loan for a bus pass before hand, paying for a weekly ticket is more money. FACT.


Yet again, I don't see you providing any proof of ANYONE saying that EMA is a waste and is not needed, all I see is you giving you opinions and your alternatives, with other people on this forum who are not receiving EMA agreeing with them.
Loads of said, and of course you won't disagree - you're greedy :/ Loads of people who don't receive the EMA disagree with, and some disagree with the EMA who get the EMA because it is flawed. Unlike you, I pay attention to arguments, threads and what has been said.


Edited by Catzsy (Forum Super Moderator): Please do not be rude to other members. Thanks.

[StefanWolves]

Your first sentence makes no sense, so I assume you know nothing of the University Student Loans. And also, you don't immediately start paying back the debt. And saving up the EMA won't do much, and again, that's not its purpose -.- A better system that doesn't pay out to students will be better for both the student and the system.


Again, you know nothing of University. It's study, pass, then be in debt. And saving up the EMA will still keep you in debt, so this comment is completely irrelevant. And also, getting in debt requires no effort. University work only takes two to five hours a day - you can easily fit a job round that, either on campus or at a local store. If you're that lazy then you should probably not go to University in the first place. I know what I am talking about, you, franky, do not.


You're rubbing your greediness and stupidness in my face? How is that suppose to offend me? You're offending yourself :/ I know education includes University you brain-dead half-wit. Did you not read my comment or the EMA documentation you ignorant imbesile? I shall re-quote:


It is for 16, 17 or 18 and have left, or are about to leave, compulsory education, then it could be for you. Jeez, again, you know nothing and avoid the point of the EMA -.-


I never said you were spending the EMA on useless things? I said "stop spending on useless things". I didn't say "stop spend IT on useless things." Trying to re-word what I have said shows a losing argument. If you can't save up your money from work, or any sort of allowance (parents should be getting child benefits if they're that bad for money), then it's easy as that - stop spending on useless things -.- And you seem to yet again be losing my point. I am for the EMA in a different way that stops useless spending - the EMA should be an organisation or agency which gives monetary help for transport, eduipment and so on, without giving money to the students in question. Besides, a laptop isn't a necessary item for college ;)



Job seekers allowance and saving, FACT ;)


I'm sorry if you like the words debt and broke ;) It's a better alternative for students and an organisation, FACT. Bus passes last longer than having to pay for a ticket each day, which means it will cost the student less anyway because the EMA is weekly, so unless you've taking out a loan for a bus pass before hand, paying for a weekly ticket is more money. FACT.


Loads of said, and of course you won't disagree - you're greedy :/ Loads of people who don't receive the EMA disagree with, and some disagree with the EMA who get the EMA because it is flawed. Unlike you, I pay attention to arguments, threads and what has been said.

Wow, I was going to quote what I believed I could debate with you, but when I read stuff like this:

You're rubbing your greediness and stupidness

*Removed*

you're greedy

I relise that I do not want to debate with someone who is hell bent on insulting someone because they can't get one to believe their views.

I shall leave it their, and I'll leave you to insult other people, read my posts again, and again, and again, because you obviously haven't taken them in.

[Danzilla]

The whole system is unfair. You seem to have no argument other than "jealousy" which is blind and somewhat brain dead as you appear to not be taking in any arguments and therefore don't come out with a counter-argument :/ You may be receiving EMA payments, and find it unfair when others who are in a similar circumstance don't receive it, even though when you take the amount of family members into account, and the amount the parents earn into account, you're in the same boat :/

The whole EMA system is terribly flawed and makes no rational sense as a concept. Alot of money must be wasted through the EMA - £30 a week calculating at about over £1,000 per year (taking into account summer, christmas, easter etc) or £10 a week being around £300-500 when all that money could go towards something actually maintaing education, which would be train and bus passes which don't even cost half that (about £400 est. I make it) and they could get free equipment for some pupils e.g. art, photography tax free making less money wasted for things irrelevant for maintaining education - and resit fees don't cost the world either. That sort of system makes more sense and requires less effort on both the student AND the agency sides, than a system which seems to be dangling the carrot infront of people, and alot of people who do receive the EMA spend it on things completely irrelevant. It's no wonder this country doesn't understand the value of money, when education is a gift not to be wasted on people who apparently need money to get out of bed to go places. Don't give them the money, remind them of how lucky they are and give them support through other means which won't cause conflicts and a huge mess at the end of the day.

I wasn't making a argument but its really annoying me now, no matter how much someone says its unfair its not going to change anything, so everyone should just shut up about the whole thing. Jealousy? Excuse me? Jealous of what? People NOT receiving it? I receive the whole £30 so whats there to be jealous about please explain.

[GommeInc]

Wow, I was going to quote what I believed I could debate with you, but when I read stuff like this:
Because you clearly fail to understand any notion of common sense, rationality, reason or any argument put across. It's pure ignorance of anything the EMA is for, you lack any sort of argument. I ask time and time again, what do you do with the EMA and get no response - begging the answer "He has no argument, he's just suffering greed from a terribly flawed system." How can I debate with someone with no argument to debate? It's no wonder the words stupid, ignorant and imbesile are slung at you like so many shoes at a George Bush conference!

It should also be known that I was never rude, Catszy. I was calling the notion of him having no argument stupid. Not him stupid, so that edit was stupid :rolleyes:.


I relise that I do not want to debate with someone who is hell bent on insulting someone because they can't get one to believe their views.
You have/had no argument. Your view on the EMA is "I want money" when the EMA is to "help with money". The system is flawed, it's fact :/ If you were insulted by that, you must hear so many small violins stringing away behind you :/




I wasn't making a argument but its really annoying me now, no matter how much someone says its unfair its not going to change anything, so everyone should just shut up about the whole thing. Jealousy? Excuse me? Jealous of what? People NOT receiving it? I receive the whole £30 so whats there to be jealous about please explain.

You were in an argument :S You put forward an argument in a debate. That's what an argument is. An argument isn't this idea that anger is chucked around. An argument is when one case versus another. I disagree with the current EMA system is one argument or idea put forward, while another argument is "I agree with the EMA system" and then you get counter-arguments of what's not good and good about the system. Some people really should learn what an argument is, it's worrying how argument is being miss used in this forum :/ No, I'm saying that using "jealousy" as a response to "the EMA is a flawed system" is a poor argument, when loads of people who receive the EMA know it is a flawed system because it doesn't look at students by a case by case instance. A single child with a single parent earning £20,000 a year is an unfair system, that child should NOT be getting any EMA.

Are people really bad at reading my argument? It would seem so :P

[N!ck]

EMA is a good idea, but the system that decides who gets it/how much is wrong. My parents earned just over the limit for me getting any EMA, yet they gave me barely any money, so I was worse off than the "poor" kids on EMA. Just because parents earn more doesn't necessarily mean they give their kids more, and just because parents earn less they may still give their kids loads.

My opinion on EMA, which still stands is either everyone should get it or no one should.

[StefanWolves]

EMA is a good idea, but the system that decides who gets it/how much is wrong. My parents earned just over the limit for me getting any EMA, yet they gave me barely any money, so I was worse off than the "poor" kids on EMA. Just because parents earn more doesn't necessarily mean they give their kids more, and just because parents earn less they may still give their kids loads.

My opinion on EMA, which still stands is either everyone should get it or no one should.

I agree, the money should be broken up even more, the children with parents who don't bring in any money should get £40, the children whose families are well off should get £10, so at least they're getting some sort of benefit too.

[Kyle!]

Yeah I'm getting the full £30. Really annoyed that you're only allowed 5 days off the whole year or it'll get stopped the next time your off without a doctors line. Very stupid, and annoying.

[StefanWolves]

Yeah I'm getting the full £30. Really annoyed that you're only allowed 5 days off the whole year or it'll get stopped the next time your off without a doctors line. Very stupid, and annoying.

I didn't think you were allowed any time off at all?

[Callum.]

Yeah I'm getting the full £30. Really annoyed that you're only allowed 5 days off the whole year or it'll get stopped the next time your off without a doctors line. Very stupid, and annoying.

I was planning on 100% attendance so it's fine.

[JamesM115]

It's ********. Works like this, if your parents arnt lazy you get nothing at all, if they are lazy and claim every penny off the goverment you get it. My parents pay for your lazy parents. GET A JOB!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Unless your parent have a vaild reason e.g. single with little kids.

[StefanWolves]

It's ********. Works like this, if your parents arnt lazy you get nothing at all, if they are lazy and claim every penny off the goverment you get it. My parents pay for your lazy parents. GET A JOB!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Unless your parent have a vaild reason e.g. single with little kids.

Wow, you're so wrong, read the whole thread before posting something which is so ludicrous and off the mark.

[buttons]

It's ********. Works like this, if your parents arnt lazy you get nothing at all, if they are lazy and claim every penny off the goverment you get it. My parents pay for your lazy parents. GET A JOB!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Unless your parent have a vaild reason e.g. single with little kids.
:my mum works 3 different jobs and earns less than some people with only one. how on earth does that make her lazy when she works 3 times as hard as anyone i've ever met when she doesn't like it and it's only to earn some money :S fyi, she is a qualified hairdresser, beautician and nurse but unfortunately there are no jobs in that area so she does 3 she doesn't enjoy just to make a decent living. if you have 2 parents who bring in money then you're very ******* lucky, stop moaning if you don't receive EMA or money from them at all when there are people who have one crap income

[Soy]

crap country to be honest

[Black_Apalachi]

:my mum works 3 different jobs and earns less than some people with only one. how on earth does that make her lazy when she works 3 times as hard as anyone i've ever met when she doesn't like it and it's only to earn some money :S fyi, she is a qualified hairdresser, beautician and nurse but unfortunately there are no jobs in that area so she does 3 she doesn't enjoy just to make a decent living. if you have 2 parents who bring in money then you're very ******* lucky, stop moaning if you don't receive EMA or money from them at all when there are people who have one crap income

Exactly. Be happy you actually have two parents earning an income.

[Danzilla]

Yeah I'm getting the full £30. Really annoyed that you're only allowed 5 days off the whole year or it'll get stopped the next time your off without a doctors line. Very stupid, and annoying.

I just phoned in "sick" so many times last year and still got all my ema, still receiving it too.


It's ********. Works like this, if your parents arnt lazy you get nothing at all, if they are lazy and claim every penny off the goverment you get it. My parents pay for your lazy parents. GET A JOB!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Unless your parent have a vaild reason e.g. single with little kids.

Seeing as my mum works her arse off and supports 2 children as a single parent, has her whole life and we receive ema, shes lazy? Your just jealous you dont get it.

[Caution]

It's ********. Works like this, if your parents arnt lazy you get nothing at all, if they are lazy and claim every penny off the goverment you get it. My parents pay for your lazy parents. GET A JOB!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Unless your parent have a vaild reason e.g. single with little kids.
Lazy? If you claim EMA it does not necessarily make you lazy. My parents have to pay for your Learning Support teacher, by the looks of it. Seems like you're just jealous anyway.

[Kyle!]

I just phoned in "sick" so many times last year and still got all my ema, still receiving it too.


Thanks for the info, it's not because I won't be sick it's incase I am sick and the doctor wont give me a line, which would be annoying.

[BoyBetterKnow]

Danzilla phoning in sick and missing college is dumb. You will never get anywhere. No offence.

I don't get EMA so I work for my money. Oh well. It's not like people can choose if they get EMA or not.

[GommeInc]

Why do EMA lovers keep using the jealousy line :S It's not an argument at all, and goes to show they're greedy :/

[j2jcs]

In my view, a fair proportion of people using EMA, would be working as much as possible in between college/sixth form to get up some extra money. EMA allows them to work less/not at all, and instead concerntrate on college/sixth form work, which then allows them to progress further. Now for those who say that its a waste of money for the government, you should look at it from a profit angle. If you work harder at higher education, you are going to get better grades. If you get better grades, you are likely to go on to a better job/better degree. If you have a better job, or a better degree, you are going to earn more money. If you earn more money, you pay more tax and have a better standard of living. By paying more tax, the government is making more money out of you, which easily pays for the EMA earlier on. So it isn't a waste of money, it is a very clever way of A) Increasing the number of skilled workers in the country, which advances the economy and country as a whole, and B) it helps the individual to progress further.

Also, if you believe I have made the above up, it is working for me, and is allowing me to take more time to work at school, and less at work.

/End of novel

[Lost_Addict]

I think to my self why shouldn't we get EMA, are parents work harder and then have to pay taxes to fund EMA not for there own children.

i think it's a big steamy pile of poo tbh.

obviously parents who try to get jobs but can't are fully entitled to it it's jsut people who dont' aim to get work and pureley live of benifits. if the goverment does it for 1 they should do ti for all.

[Smits]

Why do EMA lovers keep using the jealousy line :S It's not an argument at all, and goes to show they're greedy :/

Because it fits perfectly.

Nobody who gets EMA says that others shouldnt, yet still the people who do get are being called lazy and other things. Seems like the people who are actually annoyed about the fact they dont get ema are only one thing, jealous. They want something others get.

Personally i think everyone should get it bar the people whos parents can actually afford to give them £30 weekly. My dad works full time, we have 5 children in our house and we only get like 14k per year, i need all the money i can get so that £30 helps me alot, it covers bus fair, supplies and of course socialising. Without it i'd simply not go college.

Also as a quick note, people saying you should work and ema be scrapped, be realistic. It's hard working and still having time to do all yoru work and go out with friends.

[GommeInc]

It's not an argument :/ That's just a malicious come back based on what appears to be false grounds:

- Why are people jealous?
---No answers seem to be given.
---Lack of thought for the other side - show them how it's useful rather than retaliate with a poorly constructed "argument" with one word, "jealous."

What has been proven is greed if anything, and that IS an argument based on what can be perceived with a little bit of rational thinking chucked in - because the people who are saying "jealous" are genuinely greedy people - they're having their dumby sucking ways questioned with and are therefore hissyfitting there way out of an argument with a "losers" one-word statement, "jealous." Heck, their arguments are being lost with the aid of the EMA. The EMA is for "financial aid to buy equipment, transport" etc. yet alot of people here seem to not mention what they spend it on, which is leading to the conclusion they're just after money, not what it is actually meant for, so it's only natural to conclude that greed is the answer to this, and not acceptable retaliation (they just say it's good, rather than how it actually helps them).

It seems more logical to scrap giving money out to greedy people and actually make it useful for what it stands for:

- Books
- Travel
- Equipment
- Anything useful to continue learning.

Alot of people in this thread seem to see it as a means of having an income, which couldn't be more wrong if it was Maggie Thatcher sleeping with Miss Piggy screaming profanities :/

Which is why I think it would be more sensible to just give out things in this order:

£10 EMA > Free travel passes
£20 EMA > Free travel passes & equipment (incl. books)
£30 EMA > Free travel passes, equipment (incl. books) and small monetary aid when it is needed.

Seems more sensible than just chucking out money willy nilly, especially to college students :P

[Feep]

It's not an argument :/ That's just a malicious come back based on what appears to be false grounds:

- Why are people jealous?
---No answers seem to be given.
---Lack of thought for the other side - show them how it's useful rather than retaliate with a poorly constructed "argument" with one word, "jealous."

What has been proven is greed if anything, and that IS an argument based on what can be perceived with a little bit of rational thinking chucked in - because the people who are saying "jealous" are genuinely greedy people - they're having their dumby sucking ways questioned with and are therefore hissyfitting there way out of an argument with a "losers" one-word statement, "jealous." Heck, their arguments are being lost with the aid of the EMA. The EMA is for "financial aid to buy equipment, transport" etc. yet alot of people here seem to not mention what they spend it on, which is leading to the conclusion they're just after money, not what it is actually meant for, so it's only natural to conclude that greed is the answer to this, and not acceptable retaliation (they just say it's good, rather than how it actually helps them).

It seems more logical to scrap giving money out to greedy people and actually make it useful for what it stands for:

- Books
- Travel
- Equipment
- Anything useful to continue learning.

Alot of people in this thread seem to see it as a means of having an income, which couldn't be more wrong if it was Maggie Thatcher sleeping with Miss Piggy screaming profanities :/

Which is why I think it would be more sensible to just give out things in this order:

£10 EMA > Free travel passes
£20 EMA > Free travel passes & equipment (incl. books)
£30 EMA > Free travel passes, equipment (incl. books) and small monetary aid when it is needed.

Seems more sensible than just chucking out money willy nilly, especially to college students :P
Step down mr. Brown a new priminister is in town.

I agree with GommeInc 100%

[StefanWolves]

It's not an argument :/ That's just a malicious come back based on what appears to be false grounds:

- Why are people jealous?
---No answers seem to be given.
---Lack of thought for the other side - show them how it's useful rather than retaliate with a poorly constructed "argument" with one word, "jealous."

What has been proven is greed if anything, and that IS an argument based on what can be perceived with a little bit of rational thinking chucked in - because the people who are saying "jealous" are genuinely greedy people - they're having their dumby sucking ways questioned with and are therefore hissyfitting there way out of an argument with a "losers" one-word statement, "jealous." Heck, their arguments are being lost with the aid of the EMA. The EMA is for "financial aid to buy equipment, transport" etc. yet alot of people here seem to not mention what they spend it on, which is leading to the conclusion they're just after money, not what it is actually meant for, so it's only natural to conclude that greed is the answer to this, and not acceptable retaliation (they just say it's good, rather than how it actually helps them).

It seems more logical to scrap giving money out to greedy people and actually make it useful for what it stands for:

- Books
- Travel
- Equipment
- Anything useful to continue learning.

Alot of people in this thread seem to see it as a means of having an income, which couldn't be more wrong if it was Maggie Thatcher sleeping with Miss Piggy screaming profanities :/

Which is why I think it would be more sensible to just give out things in this order:

£10 EMA > Free travel passes
£20 EMA > Free travel passes & equipment (incl. books)
£30 EMA > Free travel passes, equipment (incl. books) and small monetary aid when it is needed.

Seems more sensible than just chucking out money willy nilly, especially to college students :P

you're starting to sound like undertaker.

[Feep]

you're starting to sound like undertaker.
In other words, hes put it into perspective?

[StefanWolves]

In other words, hes put it into perspective?

no, ramming his opinions down peoples throats.

[Feep]

no, ramming his opinions down peoples throats.
As an individual you have the right to agree/disagree that is what a debate is about.

[StefanWolves]

Well, I don't know how GommeInc can call anyone who gets EMA 'greedy' ? how can they be greedy? they haven't got the money to be greedy, trust me, I'm in that position, I'm not greedy, so people have no rights whatsoever to say that, I find it disgusting.

Calling people 'Greedy' isn't a debate, it's a clear provocation.

[Feep]

Well, I don't know how GommeInc can call anyone who gets EMA 'greedy' ? how can they be greedy? they haven't got the money to be greedy, trust me, I'm in that position, I'm not greedy, so people have no rights whatsoever to say that, I find it disgusting.

Calling people 'Greedy' isn't a debate, it's a clear provocation.

No, hes not calling people who claim ema greedy.

Hes calling the people who call other people who can't claim ema Jealous, Greedy.

And yes to be honest I am jealous I don't get £30 a week for doing exacly what you do.

[GommeInc]

Well, I don't know how GommeInc can call anyone who gets EMA 'greedy' ? how can they be greedy? they haven't got the money to be greedy, trust me, I'm in that position, I'm not greedy, so people have no rights whatsoever to say that, I find it disgusting.

Calling people 'Greedy' isn't a debate, it's a clear provocation.
I never said people who get EMA are greedy, only the peopne in this thread who receive EMA and use the response "jealousy" when the EMA is questioned ;) And if you can't take opinion, you should probably not be alive, let alone on a forum where opinion sharing is what a forum is all about :/

At least Feep can read ;) Besides, I am using what the EMA states against people the greedy people who use the jealousy argument, by pulling up a decent and better system which doesn't hand money over to students.

It's not a form of income, and shouldn't be looked at as a source of income, which alot of people who receive the EMA believe it to be for :/

[StefanWolves]

It's not a form of income, and shouldn't be looked at as a source of income, which alot of people who receive the EMA believe it to be for :/

so if we take your argument as it is, you also disagree with benefits for parents, ect? correct?

[Feep]

so if we take your argument as it is, you also disagree with benefits for parents, ect? correct?
Thats a totaly different argument, I think JSA is a good thing. And they have recently been hacking down on the people that arn't actaully looking for jobs. Aslong as people are actually looking or work and not sitting on there arse all day then JSA is fine by me.

But that has nothing to do with EMA.

[GommeInc]

so if we take your argument as it is, you also disagree with benefits for parents, ect? correct?
No? Because I disagree with giving money to students :P The benefits system is useful, but at the same time can be easily abused and is by alot of people :P

Besides, it's a different system - the EMA is for educational costs (as quoted by the EMA meaning): Transport, equipment, books and other costs.

It's not a typical benefits system that gives financial aid for a decent quality of life, it focuses on something rather than exists for the sake of financial aid e.g. widows allowance and childrens allowance.

[Alkaz]

If you actually ask a majority of people who get it then they do spend a majority of there money on education. For example, I get it and I have spent like £200 on my school work over the past year and other things such as equipment, trips etc and if I didnt receive it then I wouldnt have been able to.

There is alot of money which I dont have a use for so spend it on other things. But that money has been allocated for them purposes. There are billions of other benefits for other people which are going unclaimed year after year. That money is obviously allocated and coming from somewere so were is that money going. No were near as much of that money is going into the EMA system so if it can help some people go out and party like most people take for granted or what ever then why not do it.

Billions of pounds go unclaimed and that money seems to vanish into thin air, why not give it to these people, atleast that way some money is moving around in the econemy etc etc et c:(

[Feep]

If you actually ask a majority of people who get it then they do spend a majority of there money on education. For example, I get it and I have spent like £200 on my school work over the past year and other things such as equipment, trips etc and if I didnt receive it then I wouldnt have been able to.

There is alot of money which I dont have a use for so spend it on other things. But that money has been allocated for them purposes. There are billions of other benefits for other people which are going unclaimed year after year. That money is obviously allocated and coming from somewere so were is that money going. No were near as much of that money is going into the EMA system so if it can help some people go out and party like most people take for granted or what ever then why not do it.

Billions of pounds go unclaimed and that money seems to vanish into thin air, why not give it to these people, atleast that way some money is moving around in the econemy etc etc et c:(
But the goverment like GommeInc said, 2 weeks of ema pays for a termly bus pass (£60 ish) and maybe a lunch pass and books and stuff. £30 a week could cover that easily

[Alkaz]

Where I live, for a yearly bus pass was £600 with like £100 saving so two weeks wouldnt really cover it. Lunch at my school is like £3 a day, thats £15 a week. Things are different in different parts of the country so as I just exampled, things can change quiet drastically from place to place.

[Feep]

Where I live, for a yearly bus pass was £600 with like £100 saving so two weeks wouldnt really cover it. Lunch at my school is like £3 a day, thats £15 a week. Things are different in different parts of the country so as I just exampled, things can change quiet drastically from place to place.
£600!

I could buy a 306 with that and still have £100 left over!

[Alkaz]

Yup, I know its pretty bad here and a month pass is like £15.

[Feep]

Yup, I know its pretty bad here and a month pass is like £15.
£15 is good lol for a month anyway

[GoldenMerc]

EMA is wierd really, i used to go to a college last year that all the students in my class (exp 1) got ema, but none of them really needed it, there parents paid for there bus passes ext and the money was spent on booze and nights out.
But the college i go to now is completely different, the people all need ema, they dont use it for drink and nights out they use it for food and drinks in college, you woulnt think theres that much difference. Although i agree with Gomme, books and stuff would be better, which brings me onto the new thing which is alike to EMA, it gives you books and rulers and stuff for the subjects your studying, which in my eyes now prooves ema is worthless, if they are going to pay for that :s

[StefanWolves]

Our school gives us writing and reading books, don't know about your schools... and I don't exactly need a bus pass, as it wouldn't be used to get too school, and with EMA I can afford dinner (it's £1.20 for a sandwich fgs, + a drink, which is 60p, and a sandwich isn't exactly going to fill you up, I end up spending about £3 per dinner, that's £15 gone rite their each week, and I wouldn't exactly want my mum to pay that each week for me.)

[Alkaz]

£15 is good lol for a month anyway
oh soz i meant to say week (A)
but ye, at our school the school dont get any budget for 6th formers, thats why we have to buy almost all our materials apart from wiriting paper, thats why I need it, especially because I do 2 practical subjects.

[GommeInc]

But the goverment like GommeInc said, 2 weeks of ema pays for a termly bus pass (£60 ish) and maybe a lunch pass and books and stuff. £30 a week could cover that easily
I said that?! I just said free travel passes :P Didn't actually say how much a pass should be (it was over £120 a term for a bus pass to my college 9 miles away) so they can't really judge it by one location and distance travelled per bus/train pass. Passes tend to be given out on a term by term basis, so an organisation wouldn't have to worry about weekly payments, just termly payments which would effectively cut down work costs :P


Our school gives us writing and reading books, don't know about your schools... and I don't exactly need a bus pass, as it wouldn't be used to get too school, and with EMA I can afford dinner (it's £1.20 for a sandwich fgs, + a drink, which is 60p, and a sandwich isn't exactly going to fill you up, I end up spending about £3 per dinner, that's £15 gone rite their each week, and I wouldn't exactly want my mum to pay that each week for me.)
How did you manage at school then? The EMA is for 16+ year olds, so college. They must of been able to afford food for you, especially when making your own food is alot cheaper than buying it pre-made. Besides, food isn't one of the reasons to get the EMA :P

[samsaBEAR]

i need my EMA to get to college. i can't afford it otherwise. it costs £18 a week to get to my college, not including books and all the other assorted crap. i rarely get to spend my EMA on other things

[StefanWolves]

I said that?! I just said free travel passes :P Didn't actually say how much a pass should be (it was over £120 a term for a bus pass to my college 9 miles away) so they can't really judge it by one location and distance travelled per bus/train pass. Passes tend to be given out on a term by term basis, so an organisation wouldn't have to worry about weekly payments, just termly payments which would effectively cut down work costs :P


How did you manage at school then? The EMA is for 16+ year olds, so college. They must of been able to afford food for you, especially when making your own food is alot cheaper than buying it pre-made. Besides, food isn't one of the reasons to get the EMA :P

at our school they make everyone stop in school accept for 6th formers. (so more people buy their food!)

[GommeInc]

at our school they make everyone stop in school accept for 6th formers. (so more people buy their food!)
Seriously?! That goes against some laws, I'm sure of that :S Unless you live in a very dangerous town / city? :P

[StefanWolves]

Seriously?! That goes against some laws, I'm sure of that :S Unless you live in a very dangerous town / city? :P

Nope, they're doing it! they only let children out if they have medical problems, or can only eat certain foods, and that's it, 6th formers only.

Our area is pretty rough, there is one half rough, and one half normal, so our schools a bit of both.

My parents said it could be against the law, but it doesn't affect me, so they aren't bothered. :P

[Feep]

Nope, they're doing it! they only let children out if they have medical problems, or can only eat certain foods, and that's it, 6th formers only.

Our area is pretty rough, there is one half rough, and one half normal, so our schools a bit of both.

My parents said it could be against the law, but it doesn't affect me, so they aren't bothered. :P
You can get a lunch pass, if you arrange it with your parents and school.

[StefanWolves]

You can get a lunch pass, if you arrange it with your parents and school.

it doesn't affect me, (i'm a 6th former) and 6th formers are allowed out, and they don't allow lunch passes for anyone from years 7-11, only people with eating problems/need certain foods ect get to go home.

[Charz777]

EMA is IMO very unfair. Personally, I think I need EMA to pay for Art supplies being an Art student, Art can be an expensive subject. However, I don't get EMA based on my Household income. I'm constantly having to ask parents for money for school supplies and 'beneficial school trips' which I think is unfair on them. On top of this having to pay 200 pounds a year for the school bus is really harsh. Down with EMA (N)

[IceNineKills]

Alot of people on this thread are very selfish, they don't like EMA because they don't get it. Grow up, seriously.

Although I got EMA when I was at collage, now working I've payed it all back through being taxed.

[buttons]

EMA is IMO very unfair. Personally, I think I need EMA to pay for Art supplies being an Art student, Art can be an expensive subject. However, I don't get EMA based on my Household income. I'm constantly having to ask parents for money for school supplies and 'beneficial school trips' which I think is unfair on them. On top of this having to pay 200 pounds a year for the school bus is really harsh. Down with EMA (N)
£200 a year??????? I pay that every 9 weeks and I'm not in every day. At our college everyone gets money to pay for their supplies anyway if it's over a certain amount unless you're from a different country or over a certain age.

You can get a lunch pass, if you arrange it with your parents and school.
that's only for kids without any income at all at my school, which is really unfair because their parents ARE most likely lazy, not everyone on ema have lazy parents ;_;

[GommeInc]

Alot of people on this thread are very selfish, they don't like EMA because they don't get it. Grow up, seriously.

Although I got EMA when I was at collage, now working I've payed it all back through being taxed.
I can bring up a return argument - you're greedy ;)

I hate the selfish comment, the people who use it just say it, and expect that to be a sufficient argument, when it is the opposite :/

The EMA IS a dreadful system in its current form - it doesn't take into account the number of students/people in the family and isn't based on a family by family basis - it is based on an easy to avoid "maximum income in the family" system, which is quite unfair for people who should be in it. Yes, there are people who are a bit annoyed that they don't receive, even though they really don't.

Judging by alot of the responses in this thread (and other places :P), aload of people don't use it as a way of maintaining their education, but a source of income - these people do not deserve it. The whole system is terrible and is probably one of the worse hand out schemes this country has to offer - it's slow to respond, unjust and irrational as systems goes. Handing out money to students is a terrible idea, how can they insure that the money is going to be used properly, when not everyone does?

The system should be scrapped, it's the only just option for it. Then rebuild it on a new idea of just giving the students what they need to maintain their education as listed under the EMA government scheme website - transport, equipment and financial aid for other things (which would be resits, insurance which is usually something odd like £10). It really is the only option to make this system work in my opinion, it shuts up the people clearly scrounging for an income, silences the people who cannot have it, and allows people who do need it, but can't, get it.

[RandomManJay]

I can bring up a return argument - you're greedy ;)

I hate the selfish comment, the people who use it just say it, and expect that to be a sufficient argument, when it is the opposite :/

The EMA IS a dreadful system in its current form - it doesn't take into account the number of students/people in the family and isn't based on a family by family basis - it is based on an easy to avoid "maximum income in the family" system, which is quite unfair for people who should be in it. Yes, there are people who are a bit annoyed that they don't receive, even though they really don't.

Judging by alot of the responses in this thread (and other places :P), aload of people don't use it as a way of maintaining their education, but a source of income - these people do not deserve it. The whole system is terrible and is probably one of the worse hand out schemes this country has to offer - it's slow to respond, unjust and irrational as systems goes. Handing out money to students is a terrible idea, how can they insure that the money is going to be used properly, when not everyone does?

The system should be scrapped, it's the only just option for it. Then rebuild it on a new idea of just giving the students what they need to maintain their education as listed under the EMA government scheme website - transport, equipment and financial aid for other things (which would be resits, insurance which is usually something odd like £10). It really is the only option to make this system work in my opinion, it shuts up the people clearly scrounging for an income, silences the people who cannot have it, and allows people who do need it, but can't, get it.

Perfect, thread closed ;).

I fully agree with everything you've said. In my Sixth Form we were actually in the middle of creating a petition in the year I left to have the EMA system revised to the factors you stated. The only problem with revising it is that the system does work to a degree (degree being the word :S) and in every system there will be people who wont receive it who do need it (or think they should have it), so the government is reluctant to revise it because of those reasons, also with the amount of funding required in order for such a revise to occur of course (its always about the £££).

[GommeInc]

Perfect, thread closed ;).

I fully agree with everything you've said. In my Sixth Form we were actually in the middle of creating a petition in the year I left to have the EMA system revised to the factors you stated. The only problem with revising it is that the system does work to a degree (degree being the word :S) and in every system there will be people who wont receive it who do need it (or think they should have it), so the government is reluctant to revise it because of those reasons, also with the amount of funding required in order for such a revise to occur of course (its always about the £££).
Surely revising it would save money in the long run? If you take the amount of money a student gets with the EMA, it runs into the £1,000 quite easily, when education shouldn't cost that much alone (minus food, which should be a household problem, not an education problem).

It's just being too lazy to change it, isn't it? :P

[RandomManJay]

Surely revising it would save money in the long run? If you take the amount of money a student gets with the EMA, it runs into the £1,000 quite easily, when education shouldn't cost that much alone (minus food, which should be a household problem, not an education problem).

It's just being too lazy to change it, isn't it? :P

Yeah well, the UK is pretty lazy, we just can't really be arsed to do anything that would benefit us in the long run :P.

[StefanWolves]

Yeah well, the UK is pretty lazy, we just can't really be arsed to do anything that would benefit us in the long run :P.

the uk, lazy? so you're saying that probably one of the best examples of a working democracy, in this world - is lazy?

[RandomManJay]

the uk, lazy? so you're saying that probably one of the best examples of a working democracy, in this world - is lazy?

Exactly :P. I was actually be sarcastic (see my username if you're confused :)).

But really considering long people have been complaining about it, you would have ask what exactly they've been doing about it. My Sixth Form Head has been furious with it for years and all she keeps getting back for them is that they're planning on changing, but they haven't said when. If it has actually went through some changes (which doesn't mean they've changed the income levels etc.) then sorry, haven't chatted with my head for over a year :P.

[IceNineKills]

I can bring up a return argument - you're greedy ;)

I hate the selfish comment, the people who use it just say it, and expect that to be a sufficient argument, when it is the opposite :/

The EMA IS a dreadful system in its current form - it doesn't take into account the number of students/people in the family and isn't based on a family by family basis - it is based on an easy to avoid "maximum income in the family" system, which is quite unfair for people who should be in it. Yes, there are people who are a bit annoyed that they don't receive, even though they really don't.

Judging by alot of the responses in this thread (and other places :P), aload of people don't use it as a way of maintaining their education, but a source of income - these people do not deserve it. The whole system is terrible and is probably one of the worse hand out schemes this country has to offer - it's slow to respond, unjust and irrational as systems goes. Handing out money to students is a terrible idea, how can they insure that the money is going to be used properly, when not everyone does?

The system should be scrapped, it's the only just option for it. Then rebuild it on a new idea of just giving the students what they need to maintain their education as listed under the EMA government scheme website - transport, equipment and financial aid for other things (which would be resits, insurance which is usually something odd like £10). It really is the only option to make this system work in my opinion, it shuts up the people clearly scrounging for an income, silences the people who cannot have it, and allows people who do need it, but can't, get it.


If EMA gets scrapped then they would have to do the same with student loans. Who do you know has spend their student loan on what it's there for?

Although I do now disagree with what I've said i still think EMA should still be there. Some may say I was greedy for getting it butI only got it about 7 times throughout the year so I only took 140 quid of other peoples money and have payed alot more back in taxes. I also didn't spend it on the correct purpose because I never needed too. I lived 20mins away from my collage and skateboarded there everyday, only thing I needed to spend money on was pens and a pack of 10 done me the year, costing about 50p.

Would you agree to scrap the EMA system if you were allowed EMA?

[GommeInc]

If EMA gets scrapped then they would have to do the same with student loans. Who do you know has spend their student loan on what it's there for?

Although I do now disagree with what I've said i still think EMA should still be there. Some may say I was greedy for getting it butI only got it about 7 times throughout the year so I only took 140 quid of other peoples money and have payed alot more back in taxes. I also didn't spend it on the correct purpose because I never needed too. I lived 20mins away from my collage and skateboarded there everyday, only thing I needed to spend money on was pens and a pack of 10 done me the year, costing about 50p.

Would you agree to scrap the EMA system if you were allowed EMA?
That all depends on what my characteristics would be like if I scrounged for money from a system, but then again I'm someone who hates loans and credit cards so it all depends on that really :P As it is free money, receiving it won't really take much thought - it looks like free money and aload of people defend receiving anything for free because they feel they have done nothing wrong, which is true, they haven't, but the system in which it comes from is wrong, because it has no limitation because money is fluid and uncontrollable, but the limitations on how to get that money is heavily limited and doesn't take into consideration the size of families, for example :)

Also, student loans aren't the same as the EMA - you pay back student loans and you don't pay back EMA money, as that is an allowance rather than a payback when you're wealthy schemes. It's like a benefits scheme, you don't pay back benefits unless you've gained them illegally, and as the EMA is excempt (somehow) from illegal use, it doesn't fit the same bill.

[IceNineKills]

You win, respect for leaving your name on the rep aswell.

[GommeInc]

I kinda regret sending that, seeing as you're mature about it :P

[IceNineKills]

Meh, only rep.

[RandomManJay]

If EMA gets scrapped then they would have to do the same with student loans. Who do you know has spend their student loan on what it's there for?

Actually the student loans would still need to be used, most of the loan is actually used for the tuition fees which the students don't even see as its paid directly to the university. The rest of the student loan is for personal usage such as accommodation, materials, food etc. Every student who attends university who has spoiled their loan will eventually see why it's there and why you need to keep it. Also the loan is different from EMA because you actually have to pay it back whereas with EMA you dont because technically its actually like a mini-grant, to which many university students dont recieve because they haven't fulfilled the criteria. Also when you are attending Sixth Form you are expected to be at home where the income is high enough to qualify, so the government sees it that students could use their parents or whoever holds the main income of the house as their main source of finance whereas many students do actually move away for uni and the fact that you're moving away improves the chances of a higher loan for accommodation etc.

So EMA isn't technically required because people can learn without it because the actual education is free. Student Loans are requred because the education isn't free. The majority of people who attend uni are aged 18-24 which have no higher qualifications and therefore couldn't possibly be employed in a job which gives out an adequate amount of money for the tuition fees etc. And for those who don't fit in the age range, they are here for a reason, to get the qualifications to get the better jobs, those who can pay for the tuition themselves, they do, but those who don't get the loans.

[Hitman]

Yes, some people who receive it are greedy and spend it on things that they don't need. However, there will be some people who do need it and will spend it on things they need, not things they want.

There are things some people need to pay for. The cost of travel to and from college, books, equipment and food. Now, if I were to catch the bus 5 days a week at the price for a return ticket, it'd cost £17.50 a week. Then, add on food. That'd cost roughly £12.50 a week, so already we're at the maximum of £30 that the EMA provides. Then, on top of this, there's equipment, such as paper, pens, etc. along with the books. I know these are one off items, but when you're spending your £30 a week on food and transport you've got nothing left.

I agree that it should take into account everybody in the household. For example, you could have two parents earning a combined total of £50k a year and they have 5 children, who will all need paying for. But those children wont be eligible for EMA support. So really they should do it on something like how much money your household earns per child in the house or something.

I will admit, I am (going to be) receiving EMA. But it will help me, my dad doesn't earn a lot and it will just allow me to pay for transport/food/equipment and any other things I may need, not want.

And besides, if you could receive it then you probably would. Most people wouldn't turn down free money if they were elegible for it, especially if they need it.

[adaym]

Everyone or no one.

[Arron]

can anyone help?

i dont think its ever to late to get EMA but here goes:

my mum is on minimal wage and her partner has his own business fitting kitchens earning good money. because im not related to my mum's bf and have no relationship with my real father, do you think i should get EMA?

[StefanWolves]

can anyone help?

i dont think its ever to late to get EMA but here goes:

my mum is on minimal wage and her partner has his own business fitting kitchens earning good money. because im not related to my mum's bf and have no relationship with my real father, do you think i should get EMA?

your moms boyfriend will count as it's your overall HOUSEHOLD income, so if your moms bf is living in the same house as you, then yes, he will also count towards EMA. If your mom is on minimum wage (min wage = what? rough guess is £12,000, but I aint got a clue really) and her bf isn't on as much as £18,000 a year then you may get £10 a week, but all this depends on if he lives with you... if he doesn't, then you should get at least £20 or maybe even £30 per week.

[lBlue]

your moms boyfriend will count as it's your overall HOUSEHOLD income, so if your moms bf is living in the same house as you, then yes, he will also count towards EMA. If your mom is on minimum wage (min wage = what? rough guess is £12,000, but I aint got a clue really) and her bf isn't on as much as £18,000 a year then you may get £10 a week, but all this depends on if he lives with you... if he doesn't, then you should get at least £20 or maybe even £30 per week.
He works for himself so if he lives in his house he wont get it even if he is earning an amount that would otherwise earn EMA.

[AgnesIO]

Im not being rude, but imo EMA is unfair.

I mean say your family is earning:

49,999 pounds - you get mininum EMA
BUT, if your family gets:
50,001 pounds - you don't get it?

I do not know the exact rates but that is an example.

I also think making people who are more fortunate than others have to pay large amounts of money for trips, yet other people get them free? That doesn't work imo.

[untrustus]

the whole EMA system makes me so angry

[Pyroka]

the whole EMA system makes me so angry

THE WHOLE EMA SYSTEM MAKES ME GO HULK STYLE HURGHHH >: (

nah really though its ********.

[Caution]

The EMA system is totally wrong. I think everyone, apart from the wealthy(£60,000+) should get it, or no-one get it. I'll be able to claim it when I'm 16(assuming it's still available), so I'm not jealous or anything. Saying that, I wouldn't have any purpose for it really. I'm basing it on the fact that some people do need it.

[StefanWolves]

The EMA system is totally wrong. I think everyone, apart from the wealthy(£60,000+) should get it, or no-one get it. I'll be able to claim it when I'm 16(assuming it's still available), so I'm not jealous or anything. Saying that, I wouldn't have any purpose for it really. I'm basing it on the fact that some people do need it.

u wont be saying that when ur in 6th form/college. you will need it.