2023 Affordable Connectivity Program – Get Free Hi-Speed Internet Today

A stable home internet connection is a necessity for functioning in today’s world, but it doesn’t come cheap. As work, school, and shopping all increasingly go digital, those who struggle to afford a reliable internet service can get left behind.

That’s why the federal government has rolled out the Affordable Connectivity Program, a long-term plan to provide low-income households with free or nearly free internet access.

4 Ways To Qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program

1. Participate in a government assistance program like SNAP
2. Based on household income
3. Already receive a Lifeline benefit
4. Qualify through a dependent

If you’ve heard about the government giving out free wifi, you may have wondered, “Is the Affordable Connectivity Program real?” The answer is yes. In late 2021, President Joe Biden created the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) as part of a $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill.

However, not everyone is eligible to participate in the program. The Affordable Connectivity Program was designed to help only those who cannot afford high speed internet access. You must meet certain requirements to enroll in the ACP.

What Is the Affordable Connectivity Program?

Having a reliable home internet service is vital. So, in early 2021, the United States government established a temporary subsidy program focused on helping low-income families or those who lost income because of COVID-19 afford internet at home called the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB.) The EBB program ended on December 31, 2021, but it was replaced by the Affordable Connectivity Program, a Universal Service Administrative Company program.

Similar to the EBB program, the goal of the ACP program is to assist low income households that struggle to afford home internet. An eligible household can expect to receive $30 off their internet bill every month, or $75 a month for those living on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time device discount of up to $100 off a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer.

There are 1,600 ISPs participating in the program, and over 20 internet providers across the nation. AT&T, Spectrum, Cox, Mediacom, Xfinity, and more have pledged to provide internet plans to households enrolled in the ACP that offer 100 Mbps download speeds for $30 or less. So, it is possible to get a nearly free or entirely free internet plan through the ACP. You can find a participating provider in your local area through the ACP website.

To date, the government has committed $14 billion to the Affordable Connectivity Program. The money is given to internet service providers directly, who use the funds to give reduced home internet service prices to eligible customers. Americans enrolled in the ACP will not get a check in the mail each month; instead, they will see an ACP discount applied to their monthly internet bill.

If you think your household may be eligible for the ACP, you may be wondering, Is the Affordable Connectivity Program permanent? When does the Affordable Connectivity Program end? The good news is that, unlike the Emergency Broadband Benefit program, the Affordable Connectivity Program is intended to be long term. There is no foreseeable end date for the program.

What Happened To the Emergency Broadband Benefit?

Effective Dec. 31, 2021, the Emergency Broadband Benefit program was replaced by the Affordable Connectivity Program. All families enrolled in the Emergency Broadband Benefit program as of that date will continue to receive their current monthly benefit amounts for a full 60-day transition period as Affordable Connectivity Program enrollment gets up and running.

Changes between the two programs include the following:

• Monthly benefit for eligible households NOT on tribal lands is reduced from $50 to $30. Benefits for households on tribal lands continue at $75 per month.
  
• Eligibility criteria have expanded to include being eligible for WIC benefits and having a household income below 200% of the federal poverty level.
  
• Households that qualified for the Emergency Broadband Benefit because of temporary circumstances like job loss or other COVID-19-related difficulties, will need to reapply for the ACP program. These families will continue to receive their current Emergency Broadband Benefit through March 1, 2022.

While the Emergency Broadband Benefit program was a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Affordable Connectivity Program is a more long-term effort. The Emergency Broadband Program originally started as a way to ensure more American households can access the internet during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the program was replaced by the Affordable Connectivity Program to provide longer-term support for as many American families as possible.

3 Benefits of the Affordable Connectivity Program

The FCC Affordable Connectivity Program offers three main benefits for enrollees, as outlined below.

1. Up to a $30/month discount on Internet service

For qualifying families, the Affordable Connectivity Program will provide a $30 discount each month on their broadband/Internet service. Once a participating broadband provider and plan are selected, the program will send the provider funds each month to offset the amount of the discount for all participating households. This helps guarantee cheap Internet service for those who need it.

2. Up to a $75/month discount if your household is on qualifying tribal lands

For eligible households located on qualifying tribal lands, the monthly discount rises to $75. If you’re unsure whether your household is located on tribal lands, you may consult a map that outlines eligible tribal lands across the country.

Recognized tribal lands include the following:

• Any federally designated reservation, pueblo, or colony
• Former reservations in Oklahoma
• Indian allotments
• Alaska Native regions established as part of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act
• Any land designated as tribal for the purposes of the Lifeline program or the EBB Program by the FCC’s Office of Native Affairs and Policy and Wireline Competition Bureau
• Hawaiian Home Lands

It’s worth noting that the ACP program uses the same definitions for tribal lands as those used by the FCC’s Lifeline program.

3. A one-time discount of up to $100 for a desktop computer, tablet, or laptop

Eligible households may purchase one desktop computer, tablet, or laptop with a $100 discount through the ACP.

4 Ways to Qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program

Currently, there are four ways you can qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program.

1. Participate in a government assistance program like SNAP

Americans who are currently receiving benefits through a government assistance program qualify to enroll for the ACP.

If you or anyone in your household already participate in one of the following programs, then you are eligible to receive free or cheap internet service through the Affordable Connectivity Program:

• SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly called Food Stamps)
• WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children)
• Medicaid
• SSI (Supplemental Security Income)
• FPHA (Federal Public Housing Assistance)
• Free and Reduced Price School Lunch or Breakfast Program
• Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit

You also qualify for the ACP if you received a Federal Pell Grant for the current year.

Tribal Specific Programs

Another group that qualifies for the Affordable Connectivity Program are households on Indian reservations who participate in one of the government’s Tribal Specific Programs:

• Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
• Head Start
• Tribal TANF (Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)
• Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations

When you apply for the ACP, you may be required to present a document, card, letter, or other forms of evidence to prove that you participate in one of these government assistance programs.

2. Based on household income

You are eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program if your annual household income is 200% or less than the Federal Poverty Guideline. The poverty guidelines are based on the size of your household and state of residence.

If you meet the household income requirements for the ACP, you may be required to show proof of income through a tax return, pay stubs, or other document when applying for the program.

3. Already receive a Lifeline benefit

If you are already receiving the Lifeline benefit, also known as the Obama phone, then you are automatically eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program.

The Lifeline program is a Federal Communication Commission program that helps low-income American consumers afford communication and broadband service. Eligibility for the Lifeline benefit is determined by the program’s centralized application system, known as the National Verifier.

Eligible Americans can get up to $9 off (or $34 for households on Indian reservations) their monthly internet bill through the Lifeline benefit. You can keep getting your Lifeline benefit and receive additional benefits through the ACP at the same time. Your Lifeline and ACP benefit can be applied to the same services or different ones. Contact your broadband provider to start receiving an ACP discount each month.

It’s important to note that Americans already receiving the Lifeline benefit do not have to enroll in the ACP separately. Instead, they can contact their ISPs directly to enroll in the ACP.

4. Qualify through a dependent

Only one member of your household needs to participate in a government assistance program to qualify your entire household for the Affordable Connectivity Program. So, for instance, if your child or dependent participates in a program like the National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program, then your household is eligible to get free or cheap internet through the ACP.

How To Apply for the Affordable Connectivity Program

If your household qualifies for the ACP, you may be wondering, “How do I apply for the Affordable Connectivity Program?”

There are three ways you can apply for the ACP: online, by mail, or by contacting your internet service provider (ISP).

Apply online

To apply online, visit the Affordable Connectivity Program website to register an account and apply through their online portal. You may receive immediate approval or be notified that you need to provide more documentation to prove your eligibility for the program.

Apply by mail

You can also apply by mail. You can print out an application, fill it out, and mail it along with any required documents to:

ACP Support Center
PO Box 7081
London, KY 40742

Contact your ISP

The third way you can apply for the ACP is by contacting your internet service provider. Ask if they participate in the ACP. If they do, they can walk you through the steps you will need to take to get enrolled.

No matter which method of application you use to apply for the Affordable Connectivity Program, you will need to have sufficient proof of your eligibility. Depending on how you qualify for the ACP, you should gather relevant documents and make copies or scans to submit with your application. If you apply by mail, remember not to send your original documents. Always make copies of your documents because you may not get them back.

If you qualify based on your income, you must provide evidence of your income through a copy of a tax return, pay stubs, or other official document stating your income.

If you qualify because you already participate in a government assistance program, you can use a statement of benefits, approval letter, benefits verification letter, or other form of proof.

If you are already receiving the Lifeline benefit, then you can streamline the process. Instead of applying separately for the ACP, you can “skip the line” and instead enroll by contacting your ISP directly. You will not need to submit documents to prove your eligibility this way because you are already getting benefits through Lifeline.

Similarly, if you are not getting the Lifeline benefit but are already participating in a low-income internet service program from your internet service provider, you may not need to apply again for the ACP. This only holds if your ISP has gotten approval from the Federal Communications Commission for its application process.

After you apply

After you apply for the Affordable Connectivity Program, you will need to inform your internet service provider. Eligible households will not receive a check in the mail for discounted internet service. Instead, the ACP discount will be applied directly to your monthly home internet bill. So, your ISP will need to take note and make the adjustment every month to your charges.

Affordable Connectivity Program Rules

When you apply for the ACP benefits, you must agree to abide by the rules of the program.

1. Your household is only entitled to one ACP benefit. You cannot get numerous discounts on internet service within the same home, even if multiple members of your home qualify. You also cannot get discounts from several ISPs. If you do, you could be disqualified from the program.

2. You must inform the ACP or your ISP if you become ineligible for the program. If your income rises above the poverty threshold or you stop participating in a government assistance program, you need to notify the ACP or your ISP within 30 days. You also need to notify the ACP if you change your address or contact information.

Affordable Connectivity Program recipients are required to recertify their eligibility every year. If the USAC cannot confirm your eligibility, you will receive a notice in the mail or by phone. If you do not provide sufficient evidence to recertify your eligibility within 60 days of being notified, you will lose your benefit.

3. If you receive free internet service through the ACP, you must use it at least once every 30 days. Otherwise, you will receive a 15-day notice from your ISP to either “use it or lose it” before your internet service gets turned off. If this happens, you will need to reapply for the ACP if you wish to continue receiving benefits.

4. You must be completely honest on your application. It is illegal to lie on any ACP application forms for questionnaires. Doing so could lead to disqualification from the program and additional fines or legal action.

FAQs About the Affordable Connectivity Program

Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about the Affordable Connectivity Program.

Can I Transfer My ACP Benefit?

Yes! You may transfer your ACP credit from one service provider to another. The process is quick and simple. Just contact a service provider that participates in the Affordable Connectivity Program and let them know you’d like to transfer your ACP benefit.

Typically, you will need to provide the new company with your full name, date of birth, and other identifying information provided with your original ACP application, plus your home address and telephone number.

Your new company also may ask that you provide written consent to transfer your benefit, or they may take your phone call as verbal consent. In some cases, your new provider may ask that you reapply to the program in order to transfer your credit. An eligible household that transfers the ACP benefit from one service provider to another will not typically experience any interruption in service.

What documentation will I need to submit when I apply for the Affordable Connectivity Program?

When you submit your application, you need to provide documentation of your participation in other assistance programs if that information is not readily verifiable through a program participation database. For example, the ACP can already access Medicaid or SNAP database records, so you won’t need to submit Medicaid or SNAP documentation.

How does the ACP define a household?

The ACP defines a household as a group of people who live together and share financial resources. Members of a household do not have to be related. For example, an adult who lives with friends or family who share finances is considered one household. That household would qualify for one service and one device benefit.

However, a set of three roommates who live in the same house without sharing financial resources would qualify as three separate households – all three would qualify separately for ACP benefits.

Can I qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program if I live in a multi-family dwelling and pay my landlord a flat fee for utilities, including Internet service?

Yes, in many cases you can. You need to talk with your landlord and encourage them to investigate the benefits you and other building residents may be eligible to receive.

What if I have a disability – how can I access this program?

The goal of the program is for both the Internet service and the digital device involved to be fully accessible to those with disabilities. Please contact the FCC’s Disability Rights office by telephone at 202-418-2517, videophone at 844-432-2275, or by email at DRO@fcc.gov if you have any questions about the accessibility of your service or device.

Should I contact my selected provider once my program application is approved?

Yes. Once you’ve been approved for the Affordable Connectivity Program, you must contact your selected provider and choose a plan. If you’d like for your program discount to apply to your existing service provider, you will need to contact them to let them know your application has been approved.

What is the Lifeline Program?

Lifeline is a program administered by the Federal Communications Commission to help make communications services more affordable for low-income households. It’s the program that gave birth to the famous Obama phone.

Individuals who currently receive Lifeline benefits automatically qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program. Participants are eligible to receive benefits through both programs at the same time. ACP benefits and Lifeline benefits can be applied either to the same services or can be split and applied to separate broadband services. If you’re already enrolled in the Lifeline program, contact your Internet provider to learn more about applying for an ACP discount as well.

Are you eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program?

ACP enrollment is ongoing. Over 15 million United States households are already receiving a monthly service discount through the ACP. If your household is eligible to start receiving free or nearly free internet service, you can apply today through the ACP website, by mail, or by contacting your internet service provider.

If you have any questions, you can also speak with someone by contacting the ACP support center at (877) 384-2575.