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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><div><p>CNET News - Friday, December 31, 2021 at 5:24 PM<o:p></o:p></p><h1>Low-income US residents can get discounts up to $75 on internet service. How to sign up - CNET<o:p></o:p></h1><p class=MsoNormal><img width=1092 height=728 style='width:11.375in;height:7.5833in' id="_x0000_i1030" src="https://www.cnet.com/a/img/5ri_cysRGXZ2nzdpS6MOGEuBAco=/1092x0/2021/12/31/be897b1d-ae4f-4a7b-a0a8-555a0923c3e9/gettyimages-184999273.jpg" alt=gettyimages-184999273><span class=caption><o:p></o:p></span></p><p>The US government is trying to lower internet costs at a time when they're most critical.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span class=credit>Getty Images </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=speakabletextp1>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 <a href="https://acpbenefit.org/" target="_blank">Affordable Connectivity Program</a>, the initiative is overseen by the Federal Communications Commission and funded through the $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure law, <span class=link><a href="https://www.cnet.com/how-to/new-biden-infrastructure-law-is-done-and-dusted-heres-what-it-aims-to-do-for-you/">passed in November</a></span>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=speakabletextp2>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. <a href="https://www.fcc.gov/emergency-broadband-benefit-providers" target="_blank">Hundreds of broadband providers</a> had committed to participating in that FCC program, including <a href="https://www.cnet.com/home/internet/att-internet-review/">AT&T</a>, <a href="https://www.cnet.com/home/internet/centurylink-internet-review/">CenturyLink</a>, <a href="https://www.cnet.com/home/internet/spectrum-internet-review/">Charter Spectrum</a>, <a href="https://www.cnet.com/home/internet/xfinity-internet-review/">Comcast Xfinity</a>, <a href="https://www.cnet.com/home/internet/t-mobiles-60-home-internet-service-6-weeks-later-service-review/">T-Mobile</a> and <a href="https://www.cnet.com/home/internet/verizon-internet-review/">Verizon</a>. AT&T, Cricket Wireless and Walmart also offered discounts.<o:p></o:p></p><p>People can apply by the mail or online through the FCC's website <a href="https://acpbenefit.org/" target="_blank">ACPBenefit.org</a>, 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.<o:p></o:p></p><p>For additional questions about the Affordable Connectivity Program, email <a href="mailto:ACPSupport@usac.org" target="_blank">ACPSupport@usac.org</a> or call 877-384-2575.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://www.cnet.com/news/low-income-us-residents-can-get-discounts-up-to-75-on-internet-service-how-to-sign-up/#ftag=CAD590a51e">https://www.cnet.com/news/low-income-us-residents-can-get-discounts-up-to-75-on-internet-service-how-to-sign-up/#ftag=CAD590a51e</a><o:p></o:p></p></div></div></body></html>