The Affordable Connectivity Program could net you free broadband service. Here's how to find out if you're eligible.
I'm not breaking any news when I say a reliable internet connection is essential for working from home, staying on top of schoolwork and keeping us entertained. But home internet service isn't cheap. It can cost so much that some people struggle to connect at all.
A temporary subsidy program called the Emergency Broadband Benefit was established in 2021 to help low-income families and those who'd lost income in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. By 2022, the government had shuttered the EBB. It replaced it with the Affordable Connectivity Program -- one of several broadband-focused initiatives in the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill signed by President Joe Biden in November 2021.
Like the EBB, the ACP aims to help households afford the internet connections they need to keep pace with a rapidly changing world. Those who qualify will get $30 per month off their internet bill. That amount goes up to $75 a month for households on Tribal lands. As of mid-April, over 17 million households in the US have signed up.
Scores of internet service providers are committed to being involved with the ACP. For example, the White House announced 20 providers across the US that pledged to offer plans with a minimum of 100 megabits-per-second download speeds for $30 or less. In total, over 1,600 ISPs are participating in the ACP. You can check the Federal Communications Commission's state-by-state list to determine which ISPs are available in your area. There's also a government website, whitehouse.gov/getinternet, to help you navigate the ins and outs of this benefit. Let's walk through what else you need to know to take advantage of the ACP.
Not everyone is eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program. It's intended to help low-income households afford broadband connections for school, work, health care, utilities and other services. Thus, at least one home member must meet the criteria for the household to participate.
First, if you or anyone in the household participates in the federal Lifeline program, you'll also be eligible to participate in the ACP. Through the Lifeline program, you can receive a discount of just over $9 monthly on your internet service (and just over $34 per month for those on Tribal lands). Any funds from the ACP will be an additional discount to what you receive via Lifeline. It also helps you skip a step, which I'll describe shortly.
If you're not taking advantage of Lifeline, other programs can qualify you for the ACP. If you or anyone in your household currently participates in particular government assistance plans -- including Federal Public Housing Assistance, Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Supplemental Security Income and Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children special supplemental nutrition program -- you will also be eligible to opt into the ACP.
You can also qualify for the ACP based on your income. Regardless of participation in the above programs, your household will be eligible if your income is less than or equal to 200% of the federal poverty guidelines. Here's how that breaks down:
Number of people in the household | 200% of the poverty guideline |
---|---|
1 | $29,160 |
2 | $39,440 |
3 | $49,720 |
4 | $60,000 |
5 | $70,280 |
6 | $80,560 |
7 | $90,840 |
8 | $101,120 |
After eight, you can add $10,280 to the final amount listed for each additional person. Also, it should be noted that the numbers are slightly higher for Alaska and Hawaii. You can find those specific US Department of Health and Human Services numbers on the charts on its site. Be aware that you'll need to take the numbers in the charts on that page and multiply them by two to get the needed "200% of the federal poverty guidelines."
Finally, other things that would make you eligible include:
If any of the above is met, you may also be eligible for a one-time discount of up to $100 for a desktop computer, tablet or laptop.
Remember how I talked about skipping a step when I mentioned the Lifeline program? If you're already a part of Lifeline, you can contact your ISP directly to enroll in the ACP. You're not required to use the Apply Now button on the ACP site.
Similarly, if you are currently enrolled in your ISP's low-income program but are not participating in Lifeline, you may also be able to avoid using the ACP site. You must follow up with your ISP and ensure that the FCC approves it for this step.
If you can't skip that step, prepare to pull together several documents. (Note: If you plan to mail the application, do not send your original documents, only copies.) Among the paperwork you'll need is proof of income, including either a tax return, pay stub or Social Security statement of benefits, or proof of program participation, including approval letters, benefit verification letters or statement of benefits.
You can refer to the ACP site's Show You Qualify page for a full list of acceptable documents.
You have three different ways to apply for the Affordable Connectivity Program. The first is to apply online. You can create a new account at ACP's online application portal.
Your second option is to apply by mail. You will need to print out an application, complete it and send your copies of the required documents to ACP Support Center, PO Box 7081, London, KY 40742.
Finally, your other option is to contact your ISP directly and ask if it participates in the ACP. If it does, it should be able to assist you and walk you through whatever steps are needed to complete the process.
If you choose to apply online, you may receive immediate approval. If that's not the case, there may be a request for additional documentation before you can move forward with the ACP discount. But once you're approved, you can move on to the final step.
The ACP is not a check you receive but a discount on your internet bill. As such, you'll need to notify your ISP of your ACP participation so it will apply the discount to your monthly charge. This is also an opportunity to see if you can upgrade your internet plan tier and get more speed for less money.
Please note this is not an exhaustive list. To determine if an ISP in your area participates in the ACP, refer to the FCC's state-by-state ACP participants list.
Your household cannot get the ACP discount from more than one ISP, nor can you get multiple discounts within the same home. Doing so would disqualify you from receiving further assistance or benefits through the ACP.
Also, you must notify your ISP or the ACP if you no longer qualify for the benefit. So, if you're no longer participating in a qualifying assistance program or your income exceeds the poverty threshold, you must take action within 30 days of the change.
If you have any additional questions about the Affordable Connectivity Program, call the ACP Support Center at 877-384-2575.
It is similar, but they are two different programs. The EBB was a temporary benefit created to help those in need during the COVID-19 pandemic. It ended on December 31, 2021. The ACP is a long-term program aimed at helping low-income households stay connected for work, school, health care and more.
The EBB provided $75 a month for qualifying families on Tribal lands. That does not change with the ACP. However, the EBB provided $50 a month as a maximum monthly benefit for all others, whereas the top monthly amount for the ACP is $30 per month.
The ACP is a long-term program. The government has committed $14 billion to this endeavor, and there is currently no end date.
No, you will not get a check in the mail. The ACP is essentially a discount on your home internet service. Your service provider will receive the funds from the government, and you will, in turn, see a reduced price on your bill.