Free Computer and Internet for Children

posted: 14/01/2010

Want a grant from the government of up to £528 for a computer and internet access? Grants are now available for low income families with children living in England who don’t have access to the internet. This includes people on NASS or UK Border Agency Support.

Depending on what you need, you can get up to £528 to spend on a computer (the computer type could be a lap-top, desk-top, or net-book), and the cost of one year’s internet access.

Who can get this?
You need children in school years 3 to 9. This will normally mean children who are from 7 to 14 years old, at a state school.
 

It’s for families with lower incomes. This means

• if your child has free school meals OR 
• you receive income support OR 
• you get income-based Job Seekers Allowance OR 
• you get child tax credit OR
• you get income-based Employment Support Allowance OR
• you get NASS or UK Border Agency support while claiming asylum (but not section 4 support) [It has to be ‘support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999’]

How to claim

• Ring the helpline for parents 0333 200 1004 for an application form. They will ask you some simple questions to check you can claim.
• Fill in the application form and send it with proof
• You get a decision within 3 weeks (and your proof documents returned – The decision will either be

1. No, OR
2. send more information, OR
3. Yes

If Yes, approved, you will get

• a Notice of Entitlement
• Instructions on how to get the computer and internet
• They tell you who can supply the computer and internet package
• A Home Access Grant payment card preloaded with the money
• A PIN number (in another letter)

You then contact the supplier you choose to get the computer and internet package.

The rules are explained in more detail here

Companies offering the Home Access computer scheme
You can only get compter and internet access through companies that are part of the scheme. So far these include

• Bli Education 
• Centreprise 
• Comet 
• Misco
• Positive IT Solutions 
• XMA 

How many people can get these grants?

The scheme will run for the next 18 months but there is a maximum of 270,000 grants available, one per household. We think the grants could run out quickly.

How to apply?

Call 0333 200 1004
 

Details at Home Access.

Please tell people who don’t have computers, who have school age children.
 

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