Are you struggling to afford high-speed internet at home? Do you want to know if you qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)? The ACP is a federal program that provides discounted internet services to eligible low-income households. In this article, we’ll explain how to determine if you qualify for cheap home internet with the ACP.
Understanding the Affordable Connectivity Program
The Affordable Connectivity Program is a part of the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) program that was created by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to provide discounted internet services to low-income households. The ACP offers eligible households up to $30 per month discount on internet services, and up to $100 off the purchase of a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers.
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) provides a monthly $30 discount on internet service for qualified households. Residents of Tribal lands are eligible for up to $75 off a month. The plans offer a minimum of 100 Mbps download speed and can be combined with other state and local benefits as well (when applicable).
The program also offers a one-time discount of $100 off a desktop computer, laptop, or tablet from participating providers.
There are three ways to qualify for ACP:
- Income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines – $27,180 for an individual or $55,500 for a family of four
- Enrolled in other government assistance programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid, WIC, SSI, FPHA, Veterans Pension/Survivors Benefits, reduced school lunch programs, Federal Pell Grant recipients, LifeLine, and select Tribal assistant programs
- Meet the eligibility criteria for a participating provider’s low-income internet program
Checking Eligibility for the Affordable Connectivity Program
To check if you qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program, you must meet certain criteria. The criteria for eligibility include:
Income-based eligibility
To qualify for the ACP based on income, your household income must be at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or you must participate in a qualifying federal assistance program such as Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, Federal Public Housing Assistance, or Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefits.
Job loss or furlough
You may also qualify for the ACP if you experienced a substantial loss of income due to job loss or furlough since February 29, 2020, and your household income is at or below $99,000 (single filer) or $198,000 (joint filers).
Enrollment in existing low-income or pandemic relief program
If you are already enrolled in a low-income or pandemic relief program offered by your internet service provider or the FCC, you may also be eligible for the ACP.
Applying for the Affordable Connectivity Program
To apply for the Affordable Connectivity Program, you can contact a participating internet service provider in your area or apply online through the Universal Service Administrative Company’s (USAC) website. You will need to provide proof of eligibility, such as a copy of your tax return or participation in a qualifying federal assistance program.
Participating Providers in the Affordable Connectivity Program
There are many participating internet service providers in the Affordable Connectivity Program, including major companies like AT&T, Comcast, and Verizon. You can visit the FCC’s website to see a list of participating providers in your area.
Benefits of the Affordable Connectivity Program
The Affordable Connectivity Program provides many benefits to eligible households. These benefits include:
High-speed internet services
Eligible households can receive high-speed internet services at a discounted rate.
Device discounts
Eligible households can receive up to $100 off the purchase of a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers.
No installation or equipment fees
Participating providers in the ACP are not allowed to charge installation or equipment fees to eligible households.
Conclusion
The Affordable Connectivity Program is an excellent opportunity for eligible low-income households to receive discounted internet services and device discounts. To determine if you qualify for the program, you should check the eligibility criteria and apply through a participating internet service provider or the USAC’s website. If you are struggling to afford high-speed internet at home, the ACP may be able to provide you with the assistance you need.
#affordableinternet #internetaccess #broadbandforall #digitaldivide #affordableconnectivityprogram #lowincomefamilies #internetserviceprovider #telecommunications #digitalinclusion #onlineservices
