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

XXXX

BRIBO Laptop, the one not to miss, extremely funny! :T:rotfl::j:rotfl:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120516765413&ssPageName=ADME:B:EF:GB:1123

amhuk

I am a single mother whos partner upped and left before xmas leaving me to pay all of the bills (mortgage included) on my low income wage. As a result of this I am now having to claim Working Tax Credit as part of my Child Tax Credit just to survive ! So because of this my son won't qualify for a free laptop and free internet. I can't see the justice in them penalising working parents, it doesn't seem fair at all. Why is it that people who don't work seem to be a lot betteer off than the ones who do !

amhuk

steph8008 wrote: »

While I think this is great, I am deeply disappointed that I do not meet the requirments as I receive working tax credits. I am a single self employed mom of two , and I earn inlcuding all wages, tax and child credits a total of £200.00 per week (thats minus childcare costs), if I was on income support I would earn £198.00 per week!! £2.00 difference but because I receive working tax credits I cannot claim the grant for my son.

I just do not see the juctice in this one. I go out to work, while yes I could stay at home and get the same amount of money form the goverment, get free school dinners (which I have to pay for at the moment) and i could get the grant for my son, so he could do his homework in peace!. :mad::mad::mad::mad:


Rant over :-)

I totally agree witth what your saying. I am in exactly the same positiion like many others around the country are. It's just not fair, the people being penalised are the ones who work, yet again !

amhuk

Home_Access_Worker wrote: »

I read all the comments on here with interest. I have worked on this grant scheme and I wanted to clear up some confusion.
1. Wales, Scotland & N.Ireland do not qualify and there are no plans to roll out the scheme in these areas. The governments in these countries have spent money in other areas. It is an English programme.
2. The Computer packages are expensive compared to other models in the shops! This is incorrect. The software, parental controls and support the laptops/PC's come with make them very good value. The shops supplying them are not making much of a profit, otherwise every company that sells PC's would be joining in (why are Tesco's/PC World not taking part?)
3. There was a pilot last year in Oldham/Suffolk but the national scheme is different - the main difference is the grant is lower in the national scheme and its only 1 per household to enable more people to join in.
4. Eligibility - wherever the line is drawn there will be winners and losers. Some will only just be eligible and some will only just miss out. Where you draw the line is the most difficult decision because budgets are tight.
5. The scheme has been designed to be very secure and to avoid fraud. As a result the payment card can only be used in certain shops to buy certain packages and can only be used for one transaction.
5. Why are the government giving away laptops to the poor? Because it is shown to improve grades by up to 2 grades at GCSE. The scheme aims to empower the poor to aspire to get good jobs, support their families, break the benefits cycle across generations and to reduce inequality in society.

If you are eligible, don’t feel guilty - just call the number and get an application form completed as your children will benefit enormously. If you dont qualify buy your children a 2nd hand computer and support their education. Being online can help save hundreds via cheaper shopping (comparison websites, ebay etc). Spend a little to get a lot.

Good luck.

You say that it is shown to improve grades by up to 2 grades at GCSE, and that the scheme aims to empower the poor to aspire to get good jobs.

Well I have a job but the pay is really low, leaving me not more than £50 a week to live on after paying all the bills so why shouldn't my son be entitled to get better grades just because i'm working. And how out of that money ( which is to buy food, and pay for school meals and uniform as I don't get help with them either ) am I supposed to buy a second hand computer !

amhuk

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!

Isn't the point being totally missed here, if you already have internet access and a pc then surely you shouldn't benefit from another free one. There are people out there that have missed out because of claiming WTC and are still on low incomes just about managing to cope, they don't have one pc at home let alone two! These people won't be able to claim, where is the justice in that ?

And then to add insult to injury, if your laptop gets stolen they will replace it for free. I wonder how many will get stolen in the first year !!

comping_cat

XXXX wrote: »

BRIBO Laptop, the one not to miss, extremely funny! :T:rotfl::j:rotfl:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120516765413&ssPageName=ADME:B:EF:GB:1123

That is excellent! Explains a lot more about this offer than anyone on this thread could!

devizes18193

amhuk wrote: »

Isn't the point being totally missed here, if you already have internet access and a pc then surely you shouldn't benefit from another free one. There are people out there that have missed out because of claiming WTC and are still on low incomes just about managing to cope, they don't have one pc at home let alone two! These people won't be able to claim, where is the justice in that ?

And then to add insult to injury, if your laptop gets stolen they will replace it for free. I wonder how many will get stolen in the first year !!

Take it up with your MP

Zziggi

amhuk wrote: »

Isn't the point being totally missed here, if you already have internet access and a pc then surely you shouldn't benefit from another free one.

So that includes you too Amhuk? 'cos even if you did qualify, you clearly have access to a computer & internet to post on this forum. A

But just for the record, I do sympathize with those that don't qualify but why not complain to the government/your MP rather than show your jelousy to the recipients of the computers.

marshallka

Zziggi wrote: »

So that includes you too Amhuk? 'cos even if you did qualify, you clearly have access to a computer & internet to post on this forum. A

But just for the record, I do sympathize with those that don't qualify but why not complain to the government/your MP rather than show your jelousy to the recipients of the computers.

People can use the PC at work you know or when visiting a friend. It does not mean that because someone posts on here that they necessarily already have a PC.

marshallka

amhuk wrote: »

Isn't the point being totally missed here, if you already have internet access and a pc then surely you shouldn't benefit from another free one. There are people out there that have missed out because of claiming WTC and are still on low incomes just about managing to cope, they don't have one pc at home let alone two! These people won't be able to claim, where is the justice in that ?

And then to add insult to injury, if your laptop gets stolen they will replace it for free. I wonder how many will get stolen in the first year !!

I have emailed number 10 but I guess it will go straight to the junk mail box BUT at least I have tried and also "use" your vote in the elections. You don't have to put up and shut up. I won't and i will fight it all the way.

I understand what you mean about the "stolen" thing. Its so wrong. I have to pay household insurance for that.