Since I've been browsing TSR, I've noticed that there are a lot of ignorant middle-class snobs around. Honestly, you people are disgusting with your "Oh, if you earn less than 30K you must be lazy". My parents own far less than 30k each, and they've done nothing but work hard all their lives. They're also two of the most intelligent people I know. I don't qualify for EMA because their combined income is a few thousand over, but this doesn't make me bitter about it. EMA was introduced at my college last September, and since we live in a fairly deprived area I'd say around 65-70% of students get EMA. I don't know anyone that has "abused" it. I also think that EMA isn't just about buying books and stationery. If it was about that, the Government wouldn't be giving out so much money. Poor families might be tempted to entice their children to leave school as soon as possible in order to get a wage to support themselves. £30 a week isn't as much as a full-time job would be, but I genuinely believe it has helped so many kids at my college not drop out.