Larry Flynn, a volunteer, refurbishes a computer at InterConnection, a Seattle nonprofit. InterConnection volunteers get a free computer after 30 hours of refurbishing work.

SEATTLE – Those who lack the hardware to complete their job search are getting two new boosts from the state government. Gov. Chris Gregoire last week signed a bill that will allow more computers to be refurbished and sold or donated to those who need them.

And, following a recent Mind & Money story about a lack of computer access among the unemployed, the Employment Security Department is replacing old computers at most of the 68 WorkSource offices across the state.

Charles Brennick, founder and executive director of InterConnection, a Seattle nonprofit that refurbishes computers for low-income and unemployed people, said HB 1522, which was signed into law last week, will help his organization get more computers to people who need them.

Under the old e-cycle rules, hundreds of potentially good computers were destroyed because the e-cycle program used to require computer collectors to gather only use “fully functional” computers, Brennick said.

The change comes as more people than ever are seeking low-cost used computers. The number of computer InterConnection sold to unemployed buyers has tripled, Brennick said. Before the recession, about 40 percent of participants in InterConnection’s free computer program were unemployed. Now, it’s 75 percent.

At the same time, InterConnection faces more competition for computer donations because retail and thrift stores are collecting computers, too. Donors may  take their equipment to these places because drop-off sites are convenient, but the downside is organizations don’t reuse the equipment, Brennick said. It goes to a recycler for shredding.

By the end of the summer, WorkSource, the state-run employment centers, will get 1, 500 new computers. The installation of the new computers and energy-efficient monitors will cost $1.25 million.

The oldest WorkSource computers will go to the state surplus, which sells, donates, or recycles the items, said Jennifer Peppin, a spokesperson for Employment Security Dept.