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Home Access free laptops update

Due to the success of this programme, Home Access is now only inviting applications for computers for children with profound disabilities or Special Educational Needs.

Our Broadband Expert says...

Hi Julie, the government Home Access scheme, which provides free laptops and sometimes also free broadband to low income families, has been a huge success.

Although the new Conservative/Lib Dem coalition has decided to close Becta, the government body in charge of Home Access, the scheme itself will continue to run.

While there isn’t an actual time limit on applications, there are a limited number of grants available so you should make sure that you apply before funding runs out.

How many grants have been given out?

Of the total 270,000 broadband and laptop grants initially made available, 205,553 had already been given out by the week ending 6 June.

This means that there are only 64,447 grants left so you’d better hurry and get your application in as soon as possible.

Do I qualify?

The Home Access scheme is designed to help children in low-income families to get online.

Answer the following questions to find out if you qualify. If you answer “yes” to all three from section one and at least one question in section two, you may be able to apply.

Section one:

Are you a parent or guardian living with a child:

• Who is in school years 3 to 9 inclusive?
• Who attends a state-maintained school in England full time?
• Who has not already had a computer from a Home Access Grant or similar programme, such as Computers for Pupils?

Section two:

Do you receive at least one of the following:

• Free school meals for your child
• Income based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Income support
• Child Tax Credit but not Working Tax Credit and an income of less than £16,190
• Guaranteed Pension Credit (not Savings Credit)
• Income-based Employment Support Allowance
• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

How do I apply?

If you think that you do qualify for a grant from the Home Access scheme, call the helpline on 0333 200 1004 for more information and an application form.

Free laptop packages

If you don’t qualify for a free laptop from the government’s Home Access scheme, you can still use one of the mobile broadband free laptop offers to help spread the cost of a new computer.

While these offers do allow you to spread the cost of your laptop over 24 months, they do require quite a substantial commitment with the long, two year contracts. Mobile broadband deals also tend to come with far lower download allowances than standard home broadband packages.

If you do sing up to one of these deals, you should regularly log into your online account to make sure that you're not downloading too much - out of bundle charges can soon add up and you don’t want an unexpected big bill at the end of the month.

Ask us a question

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

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