Every NYCHA resident can receive up to $30 per month in subsidy to cover the cost of their internet service. Additionally, eligible households can receive a one-time stipend of up to $100 to purchase a laptop or desktop computer.
It is an excellent opportunity for public housing and Section 8 residents to access more affordable internet and connected devices at no additional cost. The program is designed to address the digital divide, which affects a large portion of the population.
Benefits
The Emergency Internet Benefit (EBB) was replaced by the Affordable Connectivity Program, which offers discounts of up to $30 per month on a broadband connection and up to $75 on tribal territories. A one-time discount of up to $100 off the cost of a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers is also available to qualified households.
You can apply for the ACP online or with the assistance of your internet company. Your household must meet ACP eligibility criteria to qualify for the subsidy.
Eligible households include individuals with household incomes below 200% of the Federal Poverty Line and families enrolled in government benefits, including SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, HI, WIC, and Pell Grant. When applying for the ACP, individuals must show proof of income and enrollment in a federal, state, or local benefit program.
As with any federal benefits program, participation may need to be higher among qualifying households for various reasons. These include a need for more awareness, trust in the program, or lack of support for the application process.
Local leaders play a critical role in helping to bridge these gaps and assist residents with enrolling in the ACP. Fortunately, federal resources are available or will be, to help communities build their digital navigator networks and empower local leaders with the tools necessary to engage and connect their residents with these benefits.
Eligibility
A federal program called the Affordable Connectivity Program in Oklahoma to assists families in paying for internet access and linked devices like laptops and tablets. The program gives eligible households a discount of up to $30 per month on their internet bills and up to $75 per month on eligible Tribal territories.
Many criteria, including your income level and household size, determine eligibility for the ACP. You might be asked to provide evidence of your income, such as a tax return or three pay stubs in a row.
You can apply for the ACP online or by contacting your internet provider. All five of the biggest providers – CenturyLink, AT&T, Verizon, Spectrum, and Xfinity – will have a way to enroll you in the program. You can also read the comparison of xfinity vs att to help you gain better understanding on which ISP is the best for you.
Once enrolled, the internet company will automatically apply the ACP discount to your account. The discount will not change if your internet provider suspends, cancels, downgrades, or ends the ACP, but you can transfer your benefit to another provider at any time.
The ACP is a federal program that offers discounts to households who qualify for other government programs or participate in an internet company’s low-income plan. A family can qualify for the ACP if the household’s income is 200% or less of the federal poverty guidelines or if one or more family members are enrolled in programs like SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, a Pell Grant, and Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch.
How to Apply
The Affordable Connectivity Program is designed to help households in low-income areas afford broadband internet service for school, work, and other essential needs. You can apply for the program through an online application portal or your Internet service provider.
You can also call or stop by your local office for assistance. They can walk you through the application process.
Once approved, you can receive a $30 discount off your monthly internet bill each month (up to $75 per month for Tribal households) from participating providers. Additionally, homes that qualify financially can get a one-time discount from participating providers of up to $100 off the cost of a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet if they donate more than $10 but less than $50 to the purchase price.
Households must use the service to keep the benefit and may be denied the discount if they have 30 days of no internet usage. However, they can transfer the deal to a new provider anytime.
ACP is a government program administered by the Federal Communications Commission. The program was created to assist low-income households with the cost of internet services and has already enrolled more than 14 million household participants.
The program is funded through the Universal Service Fund, a federal program that provides some $9 billion annually to close the digital divide, provide telehealth, and support broadband infrastructure in rural areas. But because USF is based on fees collected on declining telephone landline subscriptions, the program is predicted to implode before the decade’s end.
FAQs
A federal government initiative called the Affordable Connectivity Program assists low-income households with the cost of internet access and connected devices. It provides a one-time discount on a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet, a monthly bill savings of $30, and a monthly value of up to $75 if you reside in tribal territories.
The program is a long-term replacement for the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program, which is scheduled to expire in March 2022. Unlike the EBB program, the Affordable Connectivity Program is open to everyone who meets its eligibility criteria.
To qualify for the program, you must be a legal resident of the United States or a legal non-citizen with an address in the country. Your household’s income is also critical in determining whether you qualify for the program.
You may find out if you’re eligible for the ACP by checking out the official ACP site or visiting your local USAC office. The USAC also has a tool that allows you to search for providers in your area.
To get the most out of the ACP, you should show up for your bill payment or sign in with your username and password every month to keep the program active. If you don’t, your ACP subsidy may be reduced or revoked for non-payment of the monthly minimum.
