The ACP provides a $30 monthly subsidy to cover your internet costs (or a $75 monthly subsidy if you live on Tribal lands). The new program still includes a one-time discount of up to $100 on a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer as well. Along with a change in subsidy amounts, the new Affordable Connectivity Program includes changes to eligibility requirements. We’ve sorted through all the details to help you figure out whether you qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program and answer any questions you may have. Apply to the Affordable Connectivity Program
Participates in the free and reduced-price school lunch or school breakfast program (including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision)
—OR—
Received a Federal Pell Grant in the current award year
—OR—
Is enrolled in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
And if you already qualify for the Lifeline federal assistance program, you should be eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program too. One thing to note: Lifeline requires an income of 135% or less than federal poverty guidelines, but the ACP requires the following:
Your income is 200% or less than federal poverty guidelines
—OR—
You or someone in your household (including children and dependents) participate in one of the following federal programs: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (formerly known as Food Stamps), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Medicaid, Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA), or Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
—OR—
You live on Tribal lands and at least one person in your household (including children and dependents) participates in Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Head Start (only if your household meets the income qualifying standard), Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF), or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
Additionally, if your internet service provider (ISP) participates in Lifeline, they may have ways for you to apply through them. In March, expect to see your subsidy drop to $30 a month. It’s important to note that the $30, $75, or $100 subsidies aren’t paid directly to you. Instead, they go to your internet provider, which should then discount your service or the cost of the device you’re purchasing. That also means that if your internet plan costs less than $30 or $75 a month, you won’t be able to pocket the extra money. Also, each eligible household gets only one monthly discount on their internet service and only one device discount. As for anyone enrolled in the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program, you’ll continue to receive your $50 monthly bill discount until March 2022. After that, you’ll receive the $30 monthly ACP subsidy. The FCC is still hashing out whether program participants will need to re-apply to continue to receive benefits. We expect most folks won’t need to reverify eligibility after the EBB Program officially ends. But keep an eye out for messages from the USAC in case you do need to reapply. Apply to the Affordable Connectivity Program
USAC’s Affordable Connectivity Program site By mail Through your internet provider
Your name Your address Your date of birth A form of ID: Either your social security number, Tribal ID number, OR a form of government-issued ID, like a driver’s license, passport, or taxpayer ID number A photo or scanned image of your ID (if you don’t have a scanner, you can take a photo with your phone)
ACP Support CenterP.O. Box 7081London, KY 40742 You can likely speed up the process by also mailing any required documents with your application. Just be sure to include a cover sheet (PDF) if you do so the processing team can match your documents to your application. The USAC has an easy search tool to find participating ISPs in your area, either by entering your zip code or city and state. The approved providers differ by state, and you can check out which providers are participating in your state on the FCC’s site or with the USAC’s Companies Near Me tool. Here are some of the bigger service providers participating in the ACP: On a similar note, your ISP cannot require you to wait for a period of time if you’ve used its service before. Adults with no or minimal income who receive financial support are considered dependents in a household. And children under the age of 18 who are living with their parent or guardian are also considered dependents.
Government-issued ID, such as a passport or driver’s licenseIndividual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) documentation
