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

johebr

Hi all,

I just wanted to ask if any one knows if i would be eligible, i know i meet the criteria about school, age and benefits, but i just wanted to know as we already have a pc and internet connection, is my son still entitled to a free laptop of his own? although there is only the 3 of us in the household, it's my partners pc and always has been, if me and my son want to use it we have to book an appointment to use it.

I also would just like to add, for all those moaning about the scheme, i do agree with the scheme and not it's everyones fault there on benefits, i myself had to give up my job to look after my disabled partner and there will be plenty more people in the same situation, having to give up work due to unforseable reasons. On the same token i do agree that they will be plenty of people that will take advantage of the scheme, and it's these people that make others angry. One last thing i do think they could of made some kind of allowance for those working part time on WTC.

marshallka

bestpud wrote: »

But, surely they are alienating as many voters as they are attracting?

Just look at this thread for evidence of that!

There is that but my thoughts are that they would not get in again anyway and the results would most probably be hugely divided. This way I suppose they get to get "more" votes than they would have done. They may as well go out with a bang:rolleyes:.

notquiteenough

I rang the helpline and was told I wasn't eligible. I work part-time and received working tax credit, my husband receives JSA, and our income in less than £16,040. So my daughter is going to lose out on this. I was told it's a 'grey area' regarding the WTC. Really miffed. Can anyone shed any more light on this?

Hibidibi

We got one of these in the Oldham pilot from homeaccessgrant.com Positiver IT they explained why the machine was more expensive than if I went to a normal shop an the truth is you get a machine that has no rubbish on it and that is fit for purpose with parental controls and broadband if you do the math’s you wont be able to replicate the price. If I need to replace this machine in the future I would defiantly get a Home access machine even with my own cash.

fazeypie

johebr wrote: »

Hi all,

I just wanted to ask if any one knows if i would be eligible, i know i meet the criteria about school, age and benefits, but i just wanted to know as we already have a pc and internet connection, is my son still entitled to a free laptop of his own? although there is only the 3 of us in the household, it's my partners pc and always has been, if me and my son want to use it we have to book an appointment to use it.

I also would just like to add, for all those moaning about the scheme, i do agree with the scheme and not it's everyones fault there on benefits, i myself had to give up my job to look after my disabled partner and there will be plenty more people in the same situation, having to give up work due to unforseable reasons. On the same token i do agree that they will be plenty of people that will take advantage of the scheme, and it's these people that make others angry. One last thing i do think they could of made some kind of allowance for those working part time on WTC.

yes, you are still entitled. i have had my pack through, filled it in and posted it off. there is no mention of any checks made to see whether the house already has any kind of pc or web access. the purpose of the scheme os to provide the eligible child with the laptop so that they always have access for the purpose of school work. the accompanying booklet with the form also suggests that parents could use the laptop too for saving money by shopping online, job training and job searching. i think i also read that if the computer gets stolen within the first year they'll replace it too.
i realise i said before that you could get the laptop a lot cheaper if you shopped online but i think now it is a good deal with the theft insurance, years tech support, office and parental packages included with it.
i hope you manage to get one!

marshallka

lexuslass wrote: »

I totally agree!

I haven't had time to read the whole thread this evening, but I am a newcomer to this one...

What the hell???!! There was an old couple who perished to death this week in their own home... what is that about... probably worked all their lives and get no help when they and their neighbours asked for it!!!!

The government want to hand out free laptops and internet to people!??

People I know already have flaming laptops from the benefits and tax credits they already receive!!

I have every sympathy for people who have worked and have been made redundant etc etc... they are the ones that deserve to get these privileges for their children.... but for those that churn out 6 or 10 kids when they claim £100's of benefits each week and just live off what the rest of us pay in tax etc..they are the ones that will benefit from this.. probably get their freebie and stick it straight on ebay from their own laptop... disgraceful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anyone see that school (Blackburn or Bolton I think it was) a few weeks ago that had kitted out every pupil with an Ipod Touch cause it was better for their education????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

the mind boggles........ this country is going down the pan!!!

Going or gone:rolleyes:. The best I saw once was a headmaster that had hair straighteners and a salon put in the girls changing rooms to encourage them to do PE lessons more. It was said that the reason why girls did not want to do it and were not keeping fit was that they had straightened their hair in the mornings and running around and sweating made it frizzy:eek:. I was gobsmacked at it.:eek:

katiejones

fazeypie wrote: »

yes, you are still entitled. i have had my pack through, filled it in and posted it off. there is no mention of any checks made to see whether the house already has any kind of pc or web access. the purpose of the scheme os to provide the eligible child with the laptop so that they always have access for the purpose of school work. the accompanying booklet with the form also suggests that parents could use the laptop too for saving money by shopping online, job training and job searching. i think i also read that if the computer gets stolen within the first year they'll replace it too.
i realise i said before that you could get the laptop a lot cheaper if you shopped online but i think now it is a good deal with the theft insurance, years tech support, office and parental packages included with it.
i hope you manage to get one!

May i ask how long it took you to recieve your pack. Thankyou

lucinad

from ringing to receiving the form took 6 days for me, i am waiting on my child benefit form to arrive from the child benefit office though as you need to send that with the form and it has to be less than 1 year old. i rang the office within 1/2 of ordering my home access form but that still hasnt arrived!! arghhhh

katiejones

lucinad wrote: »

from ringing to receiving the form took 6 days for me, i am waiting on my child benefit form to arrive from the child benefit office though as you need to send that with the form and it has to be less than 1 year old. i rang the office within 1/2 of ordering my home access form but that still hasnt arrived!! arghhhh

Thanks for that - will have to search my paperwork. I requested a form earlier this week, so hope to have it soon.

fazeypie

katiejones wrote: »

May i ask how long it took you to recieve your pack. Thankyou

Same here, I rang and left my details with the automated message taker on Sunday but the line was bad so I rang again and left my details with a real person on Tuesday. In addition to your child benefit letter you need to provide proof of the benefit you are claiming. Both letters are to be originals, dated and less than a year old.
They say you will have your documents returned and find out whether you will benefit within 3 weeks.
I really hope that this is the first step of the scheme and that they extend it to working families on low incomes. When I was working I only managed to afford my son's now broken £350 laptop as an Xmas present because my family chipped in.