[NFBofSC] Low-income US residents can get discounts up to $75 on internet service. How to sign up - CNET

[Steve Cook]

CNET News - Friday, December 31, 2021 at 5:24 PM


Low-income US residents can get discounts up to $75 on internet service. How to sign up - CNET


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The US government is trying to lower internet costs at a time when they're most critical.

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The US government opened up applications for a new program Friday, offering qualifying residents up to $75 off their monthly internet bills per month. Called the Affordable Connectivity Program <https://acpbenefit.org/> , the initiative is overseen by the Federal Communications Commission and funded through the $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure law, passed in November <https://www.cnet.com/how-to/new-biden-infrastructure-law-is-done-and-dusted-heres-what-it-aims-to-do-for-you/> .

The program began during the pandemic as the Emergency Broadband Benefit, which offered up to $50 per month to help pay for internet service for those who qualify. Hundreds of broadband providers <https://www.fcc.gov/emergency-broadband-benefit-providers>  had committed to participating in that FCC program, including AT <https://www.cnet.com/home/internet/att-internet-review/> &T, CenturyLink <https://www.cnet.com/home/internet/centurylink-internet-review/> , Charter Spectrum <https://www.cnet.com/home/internet/spectrum-internet-review/> , Comcast Xfinity <https://www.cnet.com/home/internet/xfinity-internet-review/> , T-Mobile <https://www.cnet.com/home/internet/t-mobiles-60-home-internet-service-6-weeks-later-service-review/>  and Verizon <https://www.cnet.com/home/internet/verizon-internet-review/> . AT&T, Cricket Wireless and Walmart also offered discounts.

People can apply by the mail or online through the FCC's website ACPBenefit.org <https://acpbenefit.org/> , where it lays out eligibility requirements, including household income based on size of a family, whether they participate in other government assistance programs and whether they live on tribal lands. People who do qualify can receive up to $30 per month discount on their internet, which jumps to $75 per month if they're on qualifying tribal lands. The program also provides a one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, tablet or desktop computer.

For additional questions about the Affordable Connectivity Program, email ACPSupport at usac.org <mailto:ACPSupport at usac.org>  or call 877-384-2575.

https://www.cnet.com/news/low-income-us-residents-can-get-discounts-up-to-75-on-internet-service-how-to-sign-up/#ftag=CAD590a51e

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