[NFBMT-Parents] How to Find Out if You Qualify For Free Home Internet With The Affordable Connectivity Program

Tue May 2 16:45:19 UTC 2023

Hello List:

     I thought the following would be of interest.

Regards,

Robert

From: tech-vi at groups.io <tech-vi at groups.io> On Behalf Of David Goldfield
Sent: Tuesday, May 2, 2023 10:41 AM
To: List <tech-vi at groups.io>
Subject: [tech-vi Announce List] How to Find Out if You Qualify For Free Home Internet With The Affordable Connectivity Program

Cord Cutters News - Monday, May 1, 2023 at 12:29 PM

How to Find Out if You Qualify For Free Home Internet With The Affordable Connectivity Program

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is helping low-income families across the United States get access to high-speed internet. As part of the Internet For All initiative <https://www.internetforall.gov/> , the Biden-Harris Administration is investing $65 billion to “provide affordable, reliable internet for everyone in America”. 

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 <https://www.fcc.gov/affordable-connectivity-program-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

Over 1,300 providers <https://www.affordableconnectivity.gov/companies-near-me/>  accept ACP benefits. The program has also secured commitments from 20 high-speed internet providers to connect households for no more than $30 each month. What does this mean for customers who qualify? According to this White House announcement <https://www.whitehouse.gov/getinternet/?utm_source=getinternet.gov> , they will have “no out-of-pocket cost” by pairing the ACP program with internet providers such as: 

Spectrum <https://www.spectrum.com/cp/broadband-get-qualified?p1=1-877-958-7103&opredirect=acp>  (Charter Communications) offers this deal to new subscribers only – great for those looking to switch internet providers.

You can apply online <https://nv.fcc.gov/apply?awsl=link-from-how-to-apply&id=acp&ln=RW5nbGlzaA%3D%3D>  or via mail <https://acpbenefit.org/wp-content/uploads/ACP-Application-Form-English.pdf>  and once approved apply the ACP benefit to whichever provider and plan you choose. 

If you already have internet service with a participating provider, you can sign up for ACP through them. Some companies may have their own application process, so reach out to customer service to inquire.

https://cordcuttersnews.com/the-affordable-connectivity-program/

     David Goldfield 

Assistive Technology Specialist

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