Free Laptops
You may have seen on the news that a new scheme is being launched to give free laptops and internet access to anyone on various benefits with children aged 7 to 14. To apply phone 0333 200 1004 and see http://www.homeaccess.org.uk/
I know the members of One Space have web access in theory already but also I know that number of you are finding that access hard at the moment
Printer-friendly version
Send to friend
Just rang the number. He definately has to be in year 3, even though he is 7. Oh well, will go again for it maybe leading up to the end of summer! This is the best news for me this year :) :) I have texted Sparkling about it too. :)
Just rang the number. He definately has to be in year 3, even though he is 7. Oh well, will go again for it maybe leading up to the end of summer! This is the best news for me this year :) :) I have texted Sparkling about it too. :)
I got so excited having that text too - thank you so much for thinking of me. It doesn't apply to Wales :(
It doesn't apply to Wales? That is ridiculous! :x
Thanks for the information, alisoncam, I just saw Martin Lewis on GMTV saying 7 to 14.
More on the scheme here:
http://www.number10.gov.uk/Page22100
I hope that they are piloting it in Englad and then planning to extend it to Wales and other areas?
I would get you applications in if you qualify as son as you can and god luck! Thanks for the info Louise and harissa
C-L
And here is more
http://news.idealo.co.uk/news/6198/free-laptop-scheme-for-low-income-uk-families-officially-unveiled.html
Thanks harissa. the more ifno we can get on this the better what is it they say 'knowledge is power'?!
C-L
Received the form this morning but am none the wiser as to where the equipment can actually be viewed. I want to know before I fill in the form, exactly what I am applying for. Don't even know if by "computer", they also include laptops.
Ideally the boy needs a laptop as it will give him greater flexibilty of use, eg-he will be able to take it into school and the library. Plus, of course, I'll be able to control when he uses it at home. If he were to have a desktop computer in his room, the chances of him sneaking up to use it all night after I've gone to bed are just too high! A laptop can be put away much easier!
I haven't a clue about the "approved suppliers". They are so obscure that I haven't heard of ANY of them. What about you? Here's the list:
http://news.becta.org.uk/display.cfm?resID=39103
And here was I thinking that the equipment would be available though well-known, readily-accessible high-street suppliers. Ho hum!
Hi harissa and all,
I don't really know all the details, it looks as though those suppliers are in the pilot areas though (Oldham and Suffolk). The publicity has definitely said laptops but I guess it is a case of just having whatever we are given. Laptops makes sense as they have no idea about space available in peoples' homes.
Hi
I spoke to someone earlier who had applied for the laptop. She received a 'credit' card with a pin number, and off the top of her head, she remembers names of two stores, currys and Hughs. The value is for £399.
Whoops, forgot to say, she told me she is going out looking at laptops, so I guess we get a choice!
Harissa, I hope that helps. Especially the curry store.
Phew that sounds more helpful, harisssa was right, we would have expected to be able to go to a large chain.Thanks for that, alisoncam
I STILL haven't managed to send off my application form as I can't prove I'm getting child benefit until I receive a more up to date notification. All these bits of paper and proofs which have to be sent with the form have turned the process into a scavenger hunt involving me raking through drawers of old paperwork and chasing up government departments which may have lost proofs I'd sent already. Bah humbug!
Hi harissa
I hope you manage to 'collect' all of the evidence that is needed. What sort of paper work has to be sent, (just getting ahead of time here, I can prepare for September)
How's everything else with you? Hopefully things have settled down with regard to your son etc.
Take care
Alison
x
My son has settled down but life around us hasn't. Our house was attacked with bricks a couple of weeks ago - broken window glass everywhere! In fact I have a horrible feeling that some of my paperwork either blew away or vanished in the clean up :o(
Hi harissa
Good luck rooting around for those forms! Maybe you can have a general clear out too! There is so much form filling to do when you are on any sort of benefits, I find it really useful having a folder with tabs in, so all child benefit goes into one section, all free school meal letters into another, Housing benefit, council tax etc etc
Then I know where everything is at a drop of a hat. I don't mean to sound patronising, but it just makes life so much easier!!
Glad to hear that your son is doing well. Awful to hear about the bricks through the window. How does he cope with things like this?
Hmm, seems I haven't lost the child benefit letter but I NEVER received one this year and last year's one doesn't count as it is too out of date. They won't accept the income support letter which clearly shows I receive child benefit, nor will they accept the school meals eligibility letter either.
I've had problems with non-receipt of letters before and my suspicious mind is now wondering what became of my child benefit letter. I KNOW I do not have a recent one.
The annoying thing is I am very good at keeping all my paperwork filed in order but my system has gone awry with my older kids raking through it for documents they need, me sending off documents to government departments only for them to vanish, and of course the resulting chaos from the bricking with a rather over-zealous clearout. Powdered and splintered glass somehow made it into all my folders and even the plastic wallets I use.
I have far too much documentation filed away and would love to destroy a lot of the older stuff but daren't in case it is still required. How many years is it wise to keep this stuff for would you say?
"Unbelievable" spoken in my Victor Meldrew tone)
I have just phoned child benefit to get a duplicate 2010 notification and they told me that the last notification they sent was way back in 2008. No wonder I couldn't find a recent one! Heck I even delayed sending the Home Access Grant Application form thinking it would arrive in February as usual.
NOTE: Child benefit notifications are no longer sent out!!!! So, we are going to have some real fun fulfilling the terms of the Home access Grant application which states "Child benefit award letter, less than one year old and the original copy". Apparently my 2008 notification OUGHT to be acceptable but I may have to argue the case. IDIOTS!!!!
Hi harissa
How frustrating, you would think that they would tell us if they are going to stop sending letters out. Good Luck with the Home Access application.
I have heard that 7 years is a good length of time to keep hold of documents, however when it comes to any benefit paperwork, I just keep hold of it. As in the past my information has managed to get lost in the system and I haven't been able to prove that they were wrong, ugh!
So sorry to read that glass splinters got into your filing, your personal things. It is SO upsetting. This happened to me years ago and I still find splinters round the edges of the carpet even now.
Thanks for letting us know about the non Child Benefit letters, let us know how it goes with the Free Laptop.
"Due to the success of the programme we are now inviting applications for computers for children with severe disabilities or Special Educational Needs only and applications for the main programme are no longer being sent out."
Hi Louise
Someone gave me that number this pm, but said even though my son is 7, he is still in year 2, and has to be in year 3 to qualify.
I shall ring for an application form tomorrow, and ask.
Thankyou
:)