Who can get EMA

Eligibility for EMA

EMA is available to eligible people aged 16 to 19 who have reached school leaving age.

You need to meet the criteria for residency, household income and education status to qualify for EMA. Contact your local council's EMA team if you have any questions about your eligibility.

Residency

You'll normally need to have been ordinarily resident in Scotland when you apply for EMA. You'll also need to have been ordinarily resident in the UK for the 3 years before you apply.

There are some exceptions to the normal residency criteria that may allow you to get EMA. Your local council or college can help you find out if you're able to get it.

Household income

Household income is the income of your parents or carers who live with you.

To get EMA, your household income must be:

• £24,421 or less for households with only one dependent child
• £26,884 or less for households with more than one dependent child

Education

You can only get EMA if you're:

• attending school full time
• getting home education or flexi schooling
• on a full or part-time non-advanced course in a college or education centre
• taking part in an action plan (previously known as an activity agreement) with your local council

You can only get EMA if you're on a non-advanced course. If you're not sure if your course qualifies as non-advanced, you should speak to your school or college.

EMA and benefits

The benefits you receive can affect your eligibility for EMA.

Contact your local council or the school or college you're attending to find out how your benefits might affect your EMA.