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

Spikie01

andiepool wrote: »

Does anybody know if this scheme is going to be available in Scotland or will we be the ones to miss out???? I have a son at 14 and my computer has just given up the ghost. He is at an age where he really needs a computer for homework and coursework as his school workload is steadily starting to increase now he is coming towards the final years of his schooling. We are currently borrowing a laptop from a neighbour but this isn't an ideal situation as she uses it herself for her home business and lets us use it for about an hour in the evening so my son can get his homework done.
This would be ideal for us, I am a disabled, single Mum in reciept of benefits and would, as I have previously said, help us greatly.
If someone could let me know if this scheme is going to be available to all across the UK, rather than just England, I would be very grateful.
Thanks.

Hi,

No it's only available in England as it's a government funded offer.

[Deleted User]

Apollo 2000 is now an approved supplier since they are advertising the program now

cattie1

Snakeeyes21 wrote: »

And you think a free laptop is going to make people not want to work?

Call me naive but most people arent that fickle.

Why should the government give an incentive to work?

Being on benefits isnt the easy life like most people assume, if your young, old, single, without childen and even most with children what you recieve is barely enough to feed yourself, that in its self is enough of an incentive to work.

Did u not see the part where I said I wasn't having a go at anyone?

I've been on benefits, I've had a pretty rough time in the past but my most recent experience of being on benefits, I was on around the same amount of money I am now working full time it makes you wonder!

cattie1

Oh and before any1 says it, yes it would be much easier to quit work and go back on benefits but I actually enjoy my work and would be to bored.

I will state once again I understand there are reasons people can't work and it's difficult to find a job nowadays but I feel the benefits system is flawed and even though this is a nice idea it could have been thought through better perhaps.

scorchio_2

"While the scheme is targeted at those who either don’t have a computer or don’t have web access, there are only limited checks done on that, though it is important people don’t abuse the system."

This is the quote from the main site. Why mention the fact that only limited checks are done? This site is meant to encourage people to save money not abuse the system!!! So for all those people eligible whose children already have a laptop and internet access and are thinking "great another laptop for free" then shame on you.

lucinad

lucinad wrote: »

ok i have been scouting around looking at what is available under this scheme and as far as i can see there is only 6 companies that will be supplying the home access pc/laptops and software and seems to be only 1 or 2 options from each and the specs are very poor compared to what you could get if left to find your own anyway click on the links to see what they are offering

bli education http://www.homeaccesscomputers.com/
comet http://www.comet.co.uk/shopcomet/search.do?n=0&searchTerm=home+access&searchButton.x=0&searchButton.y=0
misco http://www.misco.co.uk/content/homeaccess/homeaccesspackages.htm
positive it http://www.homeaccessgrant.com/purchaseproducts.html?p=catalog&parent=5&pg=1 also available through cartridge world
xma i cant see what they are offereing as you need the letter code to go thru to their wizard; also available through t-mobile (assume broadband only)
centerprise http://www.cihomeaccess.co.uk/full-package/ also available through apollo2000, brighthouse;hughes electricals; mutual and kingston; phones4u

got my entitlement letter today and some other companies are also available for you to get your home access laptop through i have updated my earlier post. hth.

wazza

Talked to my sister about this, she qualifies and have applied for the form. As part of her cable package she found it cheaper to have internet included. She did have an old pc given by me but it had died and was way out of date. Would she have any problems due to the fact she has internet and yet does not touch it?

kizzykizzywizzy

That was quick Lucinad, i'm still waiting for my proof of child benefit to come through, has been a week so far.
Thanks for the info on suppliers

katiejones

kizzykizzywizzy wrote: »

That was quick Lucinad, i'm still waiting for my proof of child benefit to come through, has been a week so far.
Thanks for the info on suppliers

Same here, phoned last weekend. The guy i spoke to said 7 - 10 days so hopefully soon.

fazeypie

wazza wrote: »

Talked to my sister about this, she qualifies and have applied for the form. As part of her cable package she found it cheaper to have internet included. She did have an old pc given by me but it had died and was way out of date. Would she have any problems due to the fact she has internet and yet does not touch it?

No, they don't check to see what you already have in the house. This may sound cheeky but I'm surprised a printer hasn't been included in the package if it's meant to be for schoolwork. I'm surprised they didn't team up with someone like dell and make machines available on the scheme with specs designed for what they intend them to be used for.