Hampshire County Council is urging low income families in Hampshire to apply for free computers under a Government scheme.

The County Council is supporting the roll-out of the Home Access programme – a Government scheme designed to help families on low incomes obtain computers for their children to use at home to support their learning.
The Council has provided information to schools and children’s services staff to ensure eligible families are made aware of the scheme and have a chance to apply before it closes.

The programme is being managed by the British Educational Communications and Technology Agency (BECTA) and those eligible for the scheme are being encouraged to apply as soon as possible by calling 0333 200 1004 – as the allocations are dealt with on a first come first served basis and the scheme ends next April.

You can apply if you have a child in KS2 or 3 and are entitled to:
*    Free school meals
*    Job seekers allowance
*    Income support
*    Child tax credit but not working tax credit and an income of less than £16,040
*    Guaranteed pension credit
*    Income based Employment Allowance
*    Support under the Immigration and Asylum Act

Carers claiming child benefit for a fostered child aged 5-19 are also eligible providing they have not already benefited from similar schemes. If successful applicants will get a computer, one year’s internet access, service and support and internet safety features.

Councillor David Kirk, Hampshire County Council’s Executive Member for Children’s Services, said: “Hampshire County Council is happy to support the roll-out of this programme. Research has shown that having access to a computer at home can improve attainment by as much as two grades and makes children more independent learners overall. Increasingly technology plays a major part in daily life and in the world of work . Schemes like this mean that children who otherwise may be disadvantaged by not having access can have the same opportunities as their peers.”

For more information visit homeaccess.org.uk