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Home Access - free Government laptops

Our Broadband Expert says...

An estimated 1.4 million children in England still do not have the internet at home, putting many at a disadvantage when it comes to schoolwork and studying at home.

The benefits of home internet access are huge, and Niel McLean, executive director, Schools and Families, at the government agency Becta, said: “Recent evidence suggests that young people with a computer at home could get a B, rather than a D, at GCSE."

This is why the Government launched its Home Access scheme, which goes live across England next week, to provide low-income families with grants to purchase a computer, get at least a year’s home broadband, or both.

Pilot scheme

A pilot scheme was launched at the beginning of 2009 in Oldham and Suffolk, offering grants to thousands of families.

The scheme itself is part of a £300m investment to get every child in England online at home.

Who is eligible?

Families receiving income support or unemployment benefits will be able to apply for a Home Access grant which they can use to purchase a computer or broadband package from an approved supplier.

Most people who meet the criteria for free school meals will be eligible to apply.

At launch, children aged 7-14, in school years 3-9, will be eligible, but the programme is aiming to work towards universal home access for all school age children by 2011.

How to apply

Funding is available for around 270,000 households and you can apply by calling 0333 200 1004 for an application form.

If your application is approved, you will receive a prepaid Barclaycard, which is valid for three months, and which you can use at approved retailers.

Free laptop broadband packages

If you're not eligible for a free laptop as part of the Home Access scheme, you could still sign up to a mobile broadband package to receive a “free laptop”. While the laptops aren’t strictly free - you will end up paying for your computer over the course of your contract - these deals do help to spread the cost of buying a new PC outright.

However, if you do sign up to a mobile broadband package, make sure that you monitor your downloads to make sure that you don’t exceed your limit, as additional data costs can soon add up. Install our free Broadband Download Monitor to keep an eye on how much you’ve downloaded and set alarms so that you never exceed your limit.

NB Best buy tables are always current.

Examples in the text of the article are correct at time of publication.

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If you have a general switching or provider query please email us at OurExpert@broadbandchoices.co.uk

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