DO you know someone who is staying on at school and who was born between March 1 2001 and February 28 2005?

If you do, then remind them that they could get £30 a week paid into their bank account.

Household income must be less than £24,421 for families with a single dependent child or £26,884 for more than one dependent child. If your household income is above £26,884 then no award is payable.

Councillor Fay Sinclair, convener – education and children’s services committee, said: “Schools return this week after a long time out due to Covid-19.

"It’s been, and continues to be, a difficult time, so please, if you’re entitled to this help, make sure you apply"

Ms Sinclair added: “Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) is paid in addition to other support and benefits you may receive so you won’t lose out on any other money, such as Child Benefit, if your child(ren) gets an EMA. As well as this, it doesn’t affect any money your child(ren) may earn from a part-time job.

“Also, if eligible, make sure applications are in by September 30 so that we can backdate it to August 11 2020. If you don’t, then the EMA will only be paid from the date the application is received. And don’t forget, even if your child(ren) has applied for an EMA before, they need to re-apply each academic year.”

For more information and to apply visit www.fife.gov.uk/ema Alternatively email ema@fife.gov.uk