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

rich_shot2003

Im still waitting on getting our Child benefit letter which i asked for on Jan 14th and still have not got yet.

Why does it take so long to get it out?

Zziggi

rich_shot2003 wrote: »

Im still waitting on getting our Child benefit letter which i asked for on Jan 14th and still have not got yet.

Why does it take so long to get it out?

Well, I rang up and asked about this 'cos I couldn't find my 2009 child benefit letter. I was told that they didn't send out any letters feb-april 2009 'cos the Chancellor changed the date on which the child benefit rate increases. Therefore NO-ONE will have an annual letter. The last dated letter will be dec 2008 (i.e. too long ago for the Home Access grant). You would only have a letter if there has been a change in circumstances (e.g. new addition to the family).

Sooooo the child benefit dept has been INUNDATED with people ringing requesting an original child benefit letter in order to apply for the Home Access grant and consequently, people will be waiting up to 28 days for their letter.

bluepricey

rich_shot2003 wrote: »

Im still waitting on getting our Child benefit letter which i asked for on Jan 14th and still have not got yet.

Why does it take so long to get it out?

i only got mine the other day so you should get it any day

fazeypie

rich_shot2003 wrote: »

Im still waitting on getting our Child benefit letter which i asked for on Jan 14th and still have not got yet.

Why does it take so long to get it out?

Maybe you could try ringing home access, explain the situation and see if you can send in your form and other proofs of entitlement. Maybe they can process it and allocate you an entitlement to a grant providing they get your child benefit letter within a certain amount of time? It sounds like lots of people could miss out because of this which is really unfair, hopefully home access are aware of the problem and may be able to help if you contact them.

wammy77

notquiteenough wrote: »

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?

From what I read you would be able to get this...... if hubby is on JSA and you are part-time (under 16 hours) then I think you meet the criteria.

I currently work part time under 16 hours and my hubby has been made redundant so was told we are eligable. Maybe give them another call just to clarify???

In response to the many posts on here regarding people getting freebies for being lazy, not bothering to work etc - the people who play the system and really just can't be bothered give the people who genuniely need to claim benefit a very bad name. They abuse the system which then leads to people feeling angry and frustrated...... it then leads to people assuming that everyone is a cheat and a lazy scrounger which is really not true. I've worked all my adult life... well over 13 years (full-time until my children were born) so have paid into the tax system - do i feel guilty now about applying for this as my situation is less than ideal - NO WAY!

This government scheme could have been rolled out on more of a sliding scale so that those who are working but are on a 'low income' etc could access some of the funds.

A scheme that will provide so many laptops/PCs across England should have been able to secure a far better price for the equipment - £600 seems a lot of money when there are companies selling laptops for around £300.

Imperfect_One

rich_shot2003 wrote: »

Im still waitting on getting our Child benefit letter which i asked for on Jan 14th and still have not got yet.

Why does it take so long to get it out?

No idea, I rang for mine as soon as I got the form which is probably the same time you and also haven't received it. I think I will ring Monday and ask if can send other benefits letter i.e. income support which shows child benefit and the dec 2008 one. I have been going crazy trying to find something that it seems from the further posts was not sent out. If everyone is in the same situation that is one way of dealing an onslaught of applications.

Hope you receive the letter soon.

hitatotatus

I sent for application and it has taken 10 days to receive (after making two calls, first one received nothing). Was so keen to get sent of immediately today but the realised that my Child Benefit letter is Jan 2008. Reading the above posts it seems all of us are in the same position. I have called the Grant no. to query the system and have been told the Child Benefit letter is mandatory and there is nothing to do but wait for the letter to be sent out - 15 days according to the Child Benefit agency.
If I was aware that it had to be within one year, and not the most recent, I could have initiated the letter being sent out at the same time I called for the access application. If the Government knows they did not send out letters for the most recent year - why are they asking for them?!
Madness!! :mad:

Imperfect_One

I just (literally) contacted the Home Access Grant scheme regarding my Child Benefit Letter and asked if I have to wait until the CB letter I have had to request comes. She told me that they are aware of the situation and asked if I had one dated Dec 08 informing me they have changed the criteria to now accept letters dated Dec 2008 (when the majority of us were last sent a letter from CB). Am going to take her word for it and pop the form in the post but thought you might like to know what I have been told.

If your last CB later was 2008, phone and see if it would be accepted as I don't know if they are accepting other 2008 months or just December .... worth a try.

Zeldazog

I wondered why they asked for a letter less than a year old, KNOWING that the government hasn't issued a new letter to the majority of people, only those with a change of circumstance....

I also rang over two weeks ago (the day after the MSE e-mail came out, whatever date that was), left details on the answerphone, which apparently isn't working.

So, my request for application has already been delayed, now I find out that I have to wait for my CB letter.

I have just rung the Home Access line, and they said there was no point in sending in the application form without the correct dated CB letter.... seems they are telling different people different things.

Left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing, methinks.

rich_shot2003

Got my CB letter today so will be filling the Grant form out on Sunday to get in the post on Monday.