Teenagers can apply for EMA £40 weekly payment Wales
Thousands of additional teenagers now qualify.
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Teenagers in Wales can now apply for a weekly £40 payment through the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) for the 2025-26 academic year. The Welsh Government expanded eligibility earlier this year, making thousands more 16 to 18-year-olds eligible for this financial support. EMA provides £40 per week to help cover education-related expenses like transportation, meals, and learning materials for students aged 16 to 18 in Wales who are continuing their education after leaving school.

The income thresholds for EMA eligibility have been raised, resulting in an estimated increase in the number of eligible teenagers. Currently, over 16,000 students receive EMA, and an additional 3,500 learners are expected to benefit from the uplift starting from the new academic year in September.

Even if you are not studying in Wales, you may still qualify for EMA if you reside in Wales. To find out more about eligibility, you can refer to the Welsh Government’s Nationality and Residency guide. Students must be enrolled in a school or college participating in the EMA scheme and pursuing an academic or vocational course up to Level 3 to be eligible for EMA. Schools or colleges can confirm the eligibility of the course you wish to pursue.

It’s important to note that teenagers receiving any other allowances or payments for a publicly funded work-based learning program in the UK, such as an apprenticeship, are not eligible for EMA.

Vikki Howells, the Minister for Further and Higher Education, emphasized the importance of EMA as a crucial support system that helps young people overcome financial barriers to continue their education. She encouraged all 16 to 18-year-olds and their families to check their eligibility for EMA, even if they were not eligible in the past.

New and existing learners can check their eligibility and apply online or seek assistance from their school or college in the application process.