Cash help to get Rotherham families on internet

Home Access is a Government initiative which aims to provide financial support to some families to get them using new technology to help their children's learning.

It is backed by a group of companies who are providing different computer packages to eligible families.

These include laptop or desktop computers and/or free internet access for a year.

To find out if you are eligible for the grant, you need to be a parent or guardian responsible for, and living with, a child who: is in school Years three to nine, attends a state-maintained school in England full-time and who has not already had a computer from a Home Access Grant or any other similar programmes, such as 'Computers for Pupils'.

In addition you must be receiving at least one of these benefits: 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 £16,040, guaranteed pension credit (not Savings Credit), income-based employment support allowance, support under Part VI of the immigration and asylum act 1999.

Cllr Shaun Wright, the borough council’s Cabinet member for children and young people, said: “This is a great way for families to experience the benefits of being online at home to help boost their children's learning.

“These computers can also be used by everyone in the family so it will also help people of all ages benefit from this technology.

“We know how important it is for young people to use new technology in schools and to bring that into more people's homes through this scheme is an opportunity that I'd urge every eligible family to take advantage of."

If you believe that you are eligible for the Home Access Grant, please call 0333 200 1004 for an application pack.

If you do have access to a computer, such as at a local library, you can also find out more about Home Access at www.homeaccess.org.uk.