A housing association has become the first in Northern Ireland to supply its tenants with free mobile data if they need it.
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A housing association has become the first in Northern Ireland to supply its tenants with free mobile data if they need it #UKhousing
Clanmil Housing, which owns and manages 5,500 homes across Northern Ireland, said that it made the move because having access to the interest is now essential for many day-to-day activities, but many low-income families cannot afford to top up their phones or pay for Wi-Fi amid the soaring cost of living.
To be eligible for a SIM card, tenants must be over 18, from a low-income household and in receipt of means-tested benefits or Universal Credit.
Clanmil said it is able to offer the free mobile data thanks to its membership of the UK National Databank.
Similar to a food bank, the organization provides internet connectivity data for those who cannot otherwise afford it because of financial pressures.
The National Databank works in partnership with the Good Things Foundation, Three Mobile, O2 and Vodafone.
Clanmil residents can get a SIM card with up to 20GB of data and unlimited calls and texts free for 12 months on any of the three networks.
Eddie Smith, senior financial inclusion officer at Clanmil, said: “More and more, the money advice team are speaking to customers who are having to either reduce or completely stop using data on their phones or home devices because they just can’t afford it .
“With so many basic daily activities being done digitally now, not having access to Wi-Fi or data can make life really difficult for people.
“Not only are people disadvantaged in terms of doing basic ‘life admin’ but they can also become socially isolated.
“We hope that this free data will make a real difference for people who need it.”
Mr Smith said that as well as providing free data, Clanmil can give tenants a smartphone through its hardship fund if they do not have one.
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