18 year old estranged from parents etc on qualifying course refused EMA. As a matter of principle the EMA people insist that the learner must be in receipt of IS as estranged before they will pay EMA, but the learner has a part time job that takes him out of IS entitlement. I remember seeing something on Rightsnet that there is no legal basis for this blanket decision, IS should be taken as evidence of estrangement but other evidence can be used also. Am I right in thinking that the learner's earnings are disregarded for EMA means testing? What is the "appeal" process for EMA?

Thanks, Brian