[NFBNJ] Fwd: Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity Program

Mon Feb 13 20:56:54 UTC 2023

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Gaston, Pamela <Pamela.Gaston at dhs.nj.gov>
Date: Mon, Feb 13, 2023 at 1:28 PM
Subject: Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity Program

Lifeline & Affordable Connectivity Program

The Lifeline program and the Affordable Connectivity Program help make
phone and internet service more affordable for low-income individuals.
Eligible individuals also qualify for a free smartphone through the
Lifeline program. If you participate in certain assistance programs like
Medicaid, NJ SNAP or SSI, you automatically qualify for both federal
programs.
*Note: The Affordable Connectivity Program replaced the Emergency Broadband
Benefit on December 31, 2021. To learn more about the program transition,
click https://www.fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit
<https://www.fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit>*
Lifeline (Free Smartphone Program)

Lifeline is a federal program that provides eligible low-income individuals
with a free smartphone and free wireless phone service (free data, free
monthly minutes and unlimited texting). This Lifeline program is operated
by the federal government, and should not be confused with the state’s
Lifeline utility assistance program.
Affordable Connectivity Program

The Affordable Connectivity Program is a federal program that provides
eligible households with a discount on broadband service and connected
devices. The Affordable Connectivity Program replaces the Emergency
Broadband Benefit program. The benefit provides a discount of up to $30 per
month towards 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 you have a
Lifeline smartphone, you can also request the Affordable Connectivity
Program for unlimited talk, text and data. Use the Affordable Connectivity
Program Eligibility Widget <https://verify.affordableconnectivity.gov/> to
see if you qualify.

Who is eligible for Lifeline?

A household is eligible if a member of the household meets one of the
criteria below:

   - Participates in any of the following programs: NJ SNAP, Medicaid, SSI,
   Federal Public Housing Assistance, Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
   and Tribal Programs; or

   - Has an income that is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty
   Guidelines <https://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty-guidelines>.

Who is eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program?

A household is eligible if a member of the household meets one of the
criteria below:

   - Participates in any of the following programs: NJ SNAP, Medicaid, SSI,
   Federal Public Housing Assistance, SSI, WIC or Lifeline (Free Smartphone
   Program)

   - Has an income that is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty
   Guidelines <https://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty-guidelines>

   - Participates in Tribal specific programs, such as Bureau of Indian
   Affairs General Assistance, Tribal TANF, or Food Distribution Program on
   Indian Reservations;

   - Receives benefits under the free and reduced-price school lunch
   program or the school breakfast program, or did so in the 2019-2020,
   2020-2021, or 2021-2022 school year;

   - Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating broadband
   provider’s existing low-income or COVID-19 program; or

   - Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year.

Use the Affordable Connectivity Program Eligibility Widge
<https://verify.affordableconnectivity.gov/>t to see if you qualify
How to Apply for Lifeline:

Apply online through the following providers: Assurance Wireless
<https://www.assurancewireless.com/> or Safelink Wireless.
<https://www.safelinkwireless.com/Enrollment/Safelink/en/Web/www/default/index.html#!/newHome>

You can choose your Lifeline provider. If you already have a Lifeline
smartphone, contact your provider and ask about available benefits under
the Affordable Connectivity Program.

   - If you are a Medicaid/NJ FamilyCare member with Horizon, Amerigroup or
   WellCare, you may receive extra benefits by applying with Safelink
   Wireless
   <https://www.safelinkwireless.com/Enrollment/Safelink/en/Web/www/default/index.html#!/newHome>
   .

   - If you are a Medicaid/NJ FamilyCare member with Aetna or
   UnitedHealthcare, you may receive extra benefits by applying with Assurance
   Wireless <https://www.assurancewireless.com/>.

Note: Assurance and SafeLink offer Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity
Program bundles that provide free, unlimited talk, text, and data plus
hotspot data.
How to Apply for the Affordable Connectivity Program:

If you already have a Lifeline smartphone, contact your provider and ask
about available benefits under the Affordable Connectivity Program.

You can also:

   - Go to ACPBenefit.org to submit an application or print out a mail-in
   application.

   - Contact your preferred participating provider to select a service plan
   and have the discount applied to your bill.

https://nj.gov/humanservices/home/digitalaccessforall.shtml
Department of Human Services Home
<https://nj.gov/humanservices/home/digitalaccessforall.shtml>
he Lifeline program and the AffordablBroadband Benefit program help make
phone and internet service more affordable for low-income individuals.
Eligible individuals also qualify for a free smartphone through the
Lifeline program. If you participate in certain assistance programs like
Medicaid, NJ SNAP or SSI, you automatically qualify for both federal
programs.
nj.gov

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Warmly,
Linda Melendez, President
National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey
908-590-1747
president at nfbnj.org
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