Jobcenter pays 350 euros for laptop and tablet

Schools are still largely closed, despite the upcoming partial openings, digital learning will remain important in the future. Those who cannot afford end devices for this are left by the wayside. So that that doesn’t happen, there is now support from the state.

School during Corona: Job center pays 350 euros per child

In spring 2020, the first schools switched to distance teaching during the corona pandemic. Schools, teachers and students need the appropriate equipment for this. The Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs is now taking this need into account. The job centers have been instructed to cover the costs for the basic digital equipment if necessary through a grant – at least in part.

There is an upper limit of 350 euros per child, from which “digital devices” such as laptops, tablets and accessories should be purchased. “Digital lessons must be possible for all children and must not fail because of the wallet,” writes the ministry in one Message. Three conditions apply in order for the assumption of costs to be approved:

• The instruction applies as part of the basic security according to SGB 2. Recipients of Hartz 4 benefit from the assumption of costs.
• It applies if the equipment required for distance learning is not provided elsewhere, especially by schools.
• The assumption of costs is usually granted in the amount of 350 euros per child, for purchases such as laptop, tablet and accessories. This would include a printer if there is none in the household.

You can find out what you should consider when buying a laptop in the video:

The possibility of assuming the costs applies above all to cases in which the school did not provide any equipment. In order to support the educational institutions in this, the federal government already provided a financing package in the summer.

Buying a laptop: this is what parents should pay attention to

The fact that help should now be more direct will make it easier for many of those affected. The support is not sufficient for top products from the upper price range. But nowadays cheap alternatives also create what is necessary. For example, among the best-selling laptops on Amazon are several models that now cost less than 350 euros. It is also advisable to confirm with the children’s school that no device has been provided.