BENEFITS: Broadband on benefits:

loopyloo

If you have a smartphone do you need broadband? Also you can use the library. I do agree that it's a basic necessity now to manage most areas of life.

You don't need broadband but you use up the data allowance on your phone. Which of course, has to be paid for and is generally more expensive than WiFi/Broadband.

You can only use a library if you have one and disabled people, like my daughter, would have to take a taxi to get to it

swampy is obviously connected to the internet ?

If you have a smartphone do you need broadband? Also you can use the library. I do agree that it's a basic necessity now to manage most areas of life.

swampy1961

No! Not on benefits!
But we have become brainwashed into believing that we cannot exist without the internet. We used to manage without and if necessary we can live without it too - if we have to.
When and if it comes to harsh choices - we may need to make them and if Broadband becomes a casualty then so be it.

Many disabled people on benefits are unable to go out and engage in society in general, and you would also deny them the chance to engage online with social media and bring some social contact and meaning into their lives. Wow. Genuinely speechless.

swampy1961

I knew I would be flamed when I made the comment but prefer not to get in to mudslinging about names and who or what may be behind them
I accept that the use of Broadband is part of everyday life but do you seriously expect me to believe that if it came to a straight choice between eating or using the internet that you would turn down the choice of your next meal for yourself or your family!! If that's the case then I wish you luck.
But this is forum open for discussion on any or all subjects - with all opinions valid whether agreed with or otherwise by whoever accesses them.

If you’re on benefits you wouldn’t have a next meal without a broadband connection because you need it to manage your claim - UC and other benefits are managed online. And the subject of the thread was broadband providers making it easier for those on lower incomes to access online services. Surely that’s a good thing isn’t it ? Or are you of the mindset that benefit claimants should live an entirely treat free life ? Given that millions of UC claimants are in work, and that millions more are disabled and unable to work, you might want to rethink posting on a thread on which you clearly expected to be brought down.

Well, I'm paying the price for my inability, technically speaking. Literally.

I am getting a taxi shortly, to go and post a hand written letter, so that will be about £15 round trip.

MissAdventure

I really think people don't realise it is a actually necessary to be online these days.

I hate tech, and I find all of this stuff awful and stressful (still trying to sort out online banking; its three years now I've been messing it up for )

Indeed. Tech is very difficult, I'm technically inept.

I suppose I have to become technically adroit or be left behind.

Swampy, not sure if you are really as ignorant as you are presenting or just trying to be goady.
a person will not be able to get benefits without applying online and responding to DWP online.
so if you think people who receive benefits should not be paying for broadband, i suppose you mean no one should get benefits, entitled or not.

Swampy by making a saving on broadband for those on benefits then they will be able to afford to eat.

I really think people don't realise it is a actually necessary to be online these days.

I hate tech, and I find all of this stuff awful and stressful (still trying to sort out online banking; its three years now I've been messing it up for )

It was a deliberately provocation from scumpy MissA. I hate the thought that there are such unkind people.

I've never come across the name before so no idea why she would do such a thing.

Job applications - sent online.
Jobseekers allowance - communicate with the DWP online.
Prove that you are applying for jobs - log into your online journal.
Messages from dwp - put into your online journal.

School dinners - paid for online.
School reports - Shown online.
Lessons and homework- Shown online.
Problems at school - emails are sent.

Time sheets for work - sent online.
Payslips - sent online.

swampy1961

I knew I would be flamed when I made the comment but prefer not to get in to mudslinging about names and who or what may be behind them
I accept that the use of Broadband is part of everyday life but do you seriously expect me to believe that if it came to a straight choice between eating or using the internet that you would turn down the choice of your next meal for yourself or your family!! If that's the case then I wish you luck.
But this is forum open for discussion on any or all subjects - with all opinions valid whether agreed with or otherwise by whoever accesses them.

I asked because if you needed to claim benefits because if you would realise you do need the internet for your claims, etc. as others have explained. There is often no other way of making contact. Without it you will neither eat nor do anything else.

If any "flaming" was done it was your ignorant, provocative post. What a nasty thing to do on what was supposed to be a thread to help those who are struggling.

It's not a choice between eating or broadband though. It's a chance for those on benefits to get broadband cheaper.

What's the link with starvation here? I seem to have missed it.

Well Swampy I know you are right, people would choose to eat over most other things but as this thread is about how to make savings on Internet services if you are on benefits, it's definitely something worth knowing.

It's not a thread about the Internet being more important than eating I feel.

I didn't understand your mudslinging about names and who or what may be behind them comment. Sorry.

I knew I would be flamed when I made the comment but prefer not to get in to mudslinging about names and who or what may be behind them
I accept that the use of Broadband is part of everyday life but do you seriously expect me to believe that if it came to a straight choice between eating or using the internet that you would turn down the choice of your next meal for yourself or your family!! If that's the case then I wish you luck.
But this is forum open for discussion on any or all subjects - with all opinions valid whether agreed with or otherwise by whoever accesses them.

The carriage/ buggy picture didn't transfer, not much for my internet knowledge.

swampy1961

I realise that I may get shot down in flames but since when did Broadband become essential?
We do not need Broadband to survive!!!
There are plenty of other things more important than paying for internet access.
If it came to a choice between a meal or the internet - I know which I would choose.

It absolutely is essential if you're looking for a job, to name but one thing. Almost all job applications are exclusively online now - so if you're unemployed, on benefits and looking for work, then yes, it is an essential. As someone else has mentioned, many schools put all their homework and communication with parents online now too, and online banking is the only option for many people as well now. You make not think of it as an essential - and maybe for a lot of people it isn't - but it would be very hard to cope without it for the majority of people. And it's somewhat ironic to be complaining about that on an internet forum such as this...

swampy1961

No! Not on benefits!
But we have become brainwashed into believing that we cannot exist without the internet. We used to manage without and if necessary we can live without it too - if we have to.
When and if it comes to harsh choices - we may need to make them and if Broadband becomes a casualty then so be it.

Horse and buggy days are gone, as are buggy whips.

We have to stay current. If not we fall behind.

We agree then Franbern. Apologies for jumping on your post so quickly.

Swampy
With a username like that I expected you to be more in touch with the common folk
But judging by your comment you haven’t the foggiest idea what I’m talking about, do you?

Volver hope you did not think my comment was aimed at you - it was for swampy. Your reply virtually crossed with mine.

Broadband these days is as important as electricity in the home.

The majority of homework senior and primary is online.

Applying for jobs all online.

Applying for benefits all online

Banking in many areas all online due to branch closures.

Yes the internet is a necessity in 2022 and beyond …