If you want a free laptop, you must be wondering where you can find one. Various organizations offer free laptops to eligible persons. Veterans fall under the category of people who may require help to push on with life. By the way, a veteran is an individual who worked in the armed forces for a long period and was discharged or released under honorable circumstances. You will learn about how to get a free laptop for veterans later.
Most veterans retire with disabilities in that they may not be able to work. Since they need to live decent lives like other Americans, government and organizations need to help such people with laptops so that they may better their lives. We all understand the various importances of laptops. You can use a laptop to work online from home if you have reliable internet. Schoolchildren can use the device to research various topics to better their studies.
Laptops are expensive devices. You may not get a new one below $200. Since veterans and other people from low-income families may not afford the gadgets, there is a need to assist them in getting them. During the Covid’19 pandemic, the federal government introduced the Emergency Benefit Program that helped veterans and other groups of low-income people get discounted laptops, tablets, and desktop computers. Currently, the Affordable Connectivity Program does the functions.
Qualifications & Application Process
You must qualify and apply to benefit from various free laptop programs. There are numerous ways you can qualify for free laptops. Usually, most organizations offer free laptops using the qualification criteria for the Affordable Connectivity program. Various programs allow you to qualify for free laptops. They include the following.
- School Breakfast Program
- Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch Program
- Medicaid
- SNAP
- Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program (Section 8 Vouchers)
- Public Housing
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Project-Based Rental Assistance (PBRA)/202/811
- WIC
- Lifeline
- Veterans Pension or Survivor Benefits
Also, you can qualify if you participate in any of the various assistance programs in Tribal lands. These include;
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
- Tribal Head Start (income based)
- Affordable Housing Programs for Alaska Natives, American Indians, or Native Hawaiians
- Tribal TANF
Additionally, you may qualify for a free laptop from an organization through income. Usually, they consider the Affordable Connectivity Program’s guidelines on eligibility whereby a household qualifies for the Affordable Connectivity Program if a household income is 200% or below the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
To apply for a free laptop from an organization, you can visit its website and get started. You will need to provide details such as your name, mobile number, physical address, and proof of program participation or income. You may also apply at the nearest office if there exists one.
The 6 Best Free Laptops for Veterans Providers
Various free laptop providers assist veterans with free laptops. They include the following.
- Tech For Troops
- Combatveteranstocareers org
- Computer Blanc
- Lenovo
- TechBargains.com
- Freecycle
Let us look at each one of them in detail.
1. Tech For Troops (TFT)
Tech for Troops is among the fastest-growing national and non-partisan veteran organizations that bridge the digital divide. The organization provides veterans in need and their children with affordable refurbished computers and opportunities to partner with businesses that offer training and networking experiences.
The organization also welcomes donors to offer laptops to veterans. T4T supports veterans by collecting used technology that usually ends up in landfills, then refurbishing the devices and other devices. They provide reloaded technology and training to veterans in need of low or zero-cost training.
Tech For Troops started operations in Richmond, Virginia, under the leadership of a mother and son team who cared very much about military veterans in need. The two were willing to do something to help such people to appreciate their efforts. When they heard about the force reductions and a large number of returning army officers, they decided to collect used PCs and Macs, refurbish them, then provide them to veterans’ support organizations.
You can get a free laptop at various stores if you prove you are military personnel. The eBay TFT store is among the various stores where you can get a free laptop.
2. Combatveteranstocareers.org
The organization’s mission is to provide support and opportunities to combat veterans and their families and enhance their quality of life. The organization does this by focusing on four primary areas. These include;
- Education
- Housing
- Employment
- Wellness
As far as education is concerned, laptops are critical since they help learners with their research. Since numerous veterans are willing to go to school and equip themselves with skills, the organization offers free laptops to them so that their studies can be smooth. You can apply for a free laptop and education, housing, employment, and wellness opportunities online. You will get some fields where you must submit various details on the given fields.
3. Computer Blanc
The non-profit organization provides high-quality refurbished computers to veterans. It has been on that mission for over 20 years. As a COVID-19 Relief Provider, their free computers provide access to the ever-expanding digital world. The organization’s mission is to help people who cannot afford computers with free gadgets and connect them to the digital world. It also provides high-quality refurbished computers to people and organizations in need. By doing so, they can bridge the existing digital divide challenge head-on.
To succeed in their endeavors, the organization engages the business community for computer equipment to create high-performing computers. The organization partners with schools and colleges to create workforce development programs to refurbish and distribute their products. Again, it relies on community leaders and non-profit partners to connect with those in need.
4. Lenovo
Lenovo specializes in designing, manufacturing, and marketing computers and related products. The company offers military discounts of 10% off the entire purchase for on-duty reservists, veterans, and their immediate family members. There are discounts as high as 25% on select products. You can use the military discount on desktops, laptops, smartphones, tablets, and more. The Lenovo products you can buy with the discount include the following;
- IdeaPad
- Yoga Laptops
- ThinkPad
- Gaming Laptops/Desktops/Accessories
- Chromebooks
- ThinkCentre Desktops
- Monitors
- Workstations
- IdeaCentre Desktops
- Connected Home/Smart Devices
- Android Tablets
- Motorola Smartphones
- Windows Tablets
- Servers
5. TechBargains.com
TechBargains specializes in laptop deals from significant laptop makers. These include Dell, HP, Apple, Lenovo, and electronic retail sites like Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, and Newegg. They are familiar with the best coupon codes & promotions for all of these stores to save money on your notebook purchase. You can find a laptop discount throughout the year. Most of the best discounts and deals appear during the weekday or on Black Friday.
6. Freecycle
As a veteran, you can get a free laptop from Freecycle. The platform connects those in need of devices with donors within their town. You only need to create an account online and maybe post that you need a laptop. Someone willing to give you a free device will get in touch with you. The platform is not only for veterans but everybody looking for a free computer, tablet, or phone, plus potential donors.
7 Best Free Laptops for Disabled Veterans Providers
If you go to war, you may come back with a broken limb, back, or any other part of the body. Suppose you are a veteran in such a condition. In that case, you can get a free laptop from various organizations, which include the following.
1. GiveTech
The organization offers specific computer tools for persons with severe physical disabilities. The organization allows increased self-reliance and enhanced computing and Internet experience. It aims to provide technological tools to people in need. However, the organization does not give computers. Still, it only gives away input devices to allow individuals with quadriplegia to use computers.
2. Disability.org
Veterans can also opt for free laptops from the organization to better their lives. We all know that most military men and women come home from war while disabled and unable to work. Therefore, the organization sees the necessity to give such Americans free laptops to do constructive activities in their lives.
3. The Beaumont Foundation of America
The NGO has various objectives that they aim to achieve. First, they aim to help and support underserved children and youth. Also, they help young people of exceptional promise in critical financial need to reach their full potential via education. We all know that education is the key, and by giving it to the less privileged, you are giving them a key to their lives. Laptops are some of the necessary things needed for education.
Additionally, the company strives to meet the healthcare needs of underserved populations. They also help satisfy the less fortunate critical needs while encouraging self-reliance and self-sufficiency.
4. Jim Mullen Foundation
The Jim Mullen Foundation (JMF) offers free computers to persons who are disabled through their Computer Giveaway program. To request a free computer, you should download the Computer Giveaway Application form. You can then tell them about yourself and the kind of your disability. Doing so will help them provide you with the most suitable free computer and maybe adaptive hardware and software.
5. Computers4Kids
Computers4Kids is among the oldest organizations that offer free laptops to the needy. Usually, the organization focuses on children with demands. Computers4Kids’ (C4K) mission is to offer underserved middle and high school youth home computers and digital skills-building opportunities. They do so to create a safe out-of-school learning environment.
At C4K, young people work with adult mentors to explore ideas, build college-plus career skills, and develop their confidence via technology. Technology is a convenient tool that helps to remove barriers to self-sufficiency and to provide the youth with the necessary support and opportunities. The organization’s services are free to youth members plus their families.
6. Computer Accommodations Program (CAP)
The Computer Accommodations Program (CAP) was established by the Department of Defense (DoD). The Federal government’s funded accommodations program assists people with visual, dexterity, hearing, and cognitive disabilities with technology and related services, free of charge.
The organization’s vision is to empower all people with disabilities in the Department of Defense to get equity, accessibility, and inclusion in information and communication technology. That helps them to impact the mission positively. Their mission is usually to provide assistive technology and devices and reasonable accommodations to support people with disabilities plus wounded, ill, and injured military officers throughout the Department of Defense to access information and communication technology.
7. World Computer Exchange (WCE)
WCE is a United States and Canada-based non-governmental organization that helps to reduce the digital divide for the youth in developing countries. The organization uses its global network of partnerships to assist communities in low-income countries while promoting the reuse of electronic equipment and promoting disposal in an environmentally responsible manner.
Military Laptop Discounts for Veterans
Various discount programs assist veterans in getting low-cost laptops or desktops. The Apple Military Discount launched its Military Discount program in December 2018, offering 10% discounts on most products.
Devices with discounts include iPhones, iPods, MacBooks, Apple TVs, Apple Watches, and accessories. You can also get discounts at AppleCare or AppleCare+ protection plans.
Dell also offers up to a 20% discount for all military workers on Dell-branded consumer products. Instead of a long-term purchase program, the company offers a limited-time loyalty program for military members. Other discounts include Lenovo Military Discount, Lenovo Military Discount, HP Military Discounts, and GovX Discounts for Military, among others.
Qualifications Military Laptop Discounts for Veterans
You can qualify for the Apple Military Discount if;
- You are a current and veteran member of the US Military
- An immediate family member living in the same household.
For Dell Military Discount, all the verified military personnel qualify. These include;
- Spouses of serving personnel
- Bereaved Family Members
- Armed forces veterans
- War/Service Widow(er)s
- NATO Personnel in the UK
- Cadet forces aged over 16 years
Application process For Military Laptop Discounts for Veterans
You can apply for most discounts online using your phone or computer. Every discount facility allows you to access an online military discount store where you can purchase a laptop. We have Apple Veterans and Military stores, Dell’s Military Forces Discounts store, Lenovo Military Discount store, and so on. The stores are accessible online.
Bottom line
Laptops are essential in modern-day society because they allow users to work and earn money. Children can also use the devices to work on school projects and make learning enjoyable. However, people from low-income families find it challenging to buy the devices. Various organizations give free laptops to veterans. Companies such as Apple, Lenovo, and Dell offer discounts to military officers and their immediate family members.