Free Computer & Internet Access for Children aged 7-14 of Low Income Families

only_mee

http://www.homeaccess.org.uk/Are-you-eligible/

bcham

still waiting for a decission,been other 2 weeks scince i got my child benafit letter back, in total from ringing to get the application form around 8 weeks,
so far,?

jaynemaria

Got my award notice today, its taken less than three weeks since first applying, so really pleased, just got to wait for the card and pin to come through and then ready to get my son a new laptop.

just wondering what sites people have found best for getting their laptops from, both in time of delivery and what they offer, ive looked through ever site, but personal recommendations are much better.

Thanks

only_mee

http://www.homeaccessgrant.com/ we went with free uprgade to 2GB which is needed imho with windows 7.

jaynemaria

only_mee wrote: »

http://www.homeaccessgrant.com/ we went with free uprgade to 2GB which is needed imho with windows 7.

Thanks for that, I did think this looked a good deal with the free upgrade, could I just ask what the delivery time was like, and also how long you had to wait for your card and pin to come after the award letter.

thanks

only_mee

Card and pin was a few days and delivery was next day on the laptop.
IIRC we just the card, the pin wasn't needed.

trad_3

I got mine from it solutions. If you are ordering online you do not need the pin, just the card and it took 2 days to deliver.

Former_MSE_Wendy

Jane_Blackford wrote: »

Unfortunately I know of a few who have sold these laptops to pay for fags - I don't mind the secondary school kids getting them, but the ones for the younger kids seem to be less than necessary and I have heard of this being abused by the parents. I know a lot of people on this thread have found it really useful and for that I am glad, but standing outside the school with my mate on just one occasion listening to two chain smokers discussing how much they got for the laptops was enough to sicken me, they just treated it as another part of their benefits to spend on themselves.

I think anyone that has this should have to prove it is still in use by the child 6 months later, if not then the money should be taken off them. Sorry if it seems a bit harsh, but this just makes me cross.

Hi all

Home Access Grants has asked us to post this message about the selling of equipment:

Statement from Becta, the government agency for technology in learning

There are a number of robust anti-fraud measures in place to help to identify and stop any potentially fraudulent activity. These include Becta’s Home Access anti-fraud team monitoring the key channels which products could be sold through. In addition, anyone who hears of any potential fraudulent activity may alert the Home Access programme by calling 0300 456 2440.

To date, one case is going to court in June as a result of Home Access anti fraud team investigations and there have been two further arrests with 11 more criminal investigations taking place. In addition Becta has identified 12 cases to be referred on to the Department of Work and Pensions, and a significant number of others passed on to other statutory organisations such as HMRC.

In total, there are 45 cases currently under investigation where attempts to sell on Home Access computers have been found. There is also preventative work taking place to stop attempts at defrauding the programme – in particular to ensure the computer remains within the family to benefit the children. Overall the current identified fraud is less than 0.06% of beneficiary families.

only_mee

Nice to hear an official reply.

KittyPryde

There is one for sale on ebay here

Check the Q+A at the bottom. Someone has told them to stop selling it (is it ebay?) and they have said no