The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) does not hold information on the household income of all households with children. Therefore it is not possible to calculate how many young people aged 16-19, who are participating in provision that meets the criteria for attracting EMA, could be eligible for EMA based on their household income but do not claim it.
We are currently working to improve our understanding of EMA eligibility through analysis of longitudinal survey data and this analysis will be made available in due course. However I can confirm that around 45 per cent. of 16 to 18-year-olds in full time education currently receive EMA and that, as of the week ending 15 May 2009, 564,897 young people had received an EMA payment so far in this current academic year.