The Affordable Connectivity Program is an FCC benefit program that helps ensure that households can afford the broadband they need for work, school, and more.
The benefit provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands.
Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price.
Though this program is limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount per household.
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Who is eligible for the Acp program?
The Affordable Connectivity Program is available for households that meet specific criteria. To be eligible, a household should have an income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
Alternatively, eligibility can be established if a member of the household meets any of the following conditions:
- Received a Federal Pell Grant in the current award year.
- Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider’s existing low-income internet program.
- Participates in one of the following assistance programs:
- Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program, including at USDA Community Eligibility Provision schools.
- SNAP.
- Medicaid, with a reminder to check if Medicaid eligibility needs renewal.
- Federal Housing Assistance, including Housing Choice Voucher, Project-Based Rental Assistance (PBRA)/Section 202/ Section 811, Public Housing, and Affordable Housing Programs for American Indians, Alaska Natives, or Native Hawaiians.
- SSI.
- Women, Infants, and Children.
- Veterans Pension or Survivor Benefits.
- Lifeline.
- Participates in one of the mentioned assistance programs and resides on qualifying Tribal lands:
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance.
- Tribal TANF.
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations.
- Tribal Head Start (income based).
How Does the ACP Protect Consumers?
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) safeguards consumers through FCC rules by:
- Allowing consumers to pick the service plan that suits their needs, even if they’re already on a particular plan.
- Ensuring that consumers, irrespective of their credit history, can access supported broadband services.
- Prohibiting providers from excluding consumers with overdue balances or prior debts from enrolling in the program.
- Preventing consumers from being pressured into pricier or lower-quality plans to avail the benefits of the ACP.
- Ensuring that consumers are not held responsible for early termination fees.
- Reducing the risk of unexpected high bills or other financial hardships.
- Allowing ACP recipients the flexibility to switch providers or change their broadband service offerings.
- Providing a dedicated FCC process for handling complaints related to the Affordable Connectivity Program.
How to enrol for the Acp program?
Eligibility for the program is not dependent on being a U.S. citizen or having a Social Security Number (SSN).
Enrolling in the program is a simple two-step process:
- Online Application:
- Visit https://www.afforableconnectivity.gov to either submit an application online or print a mail-in application.
- Provider Contact:
- Reach out to your preferred participating provider to choose an eligible plan and apply the discount to your bill.
- Note that some providers may have an alternative application process that they will guide you through.
Remember, eligible households need to complete both step.
