Under a new program, low-income households and those who receive Medicaid or participate in programs including SNAP, WIC or free school lunches could receive a monthly discount on internet from carriers including AT&T, Comcast and Verizon Fios.
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), passed as part of the recent infrastructure law, provides eligible households $30 per month off their internet bills. And, 20 leading internet providers have agreed to offer ACP-eligible households a high-speed internet plan for no more than $30 per month.
Eligible families that pair their ACP benefits with one of these plans can receive high-speed internet at no cost.
The plans are expected to offer a minimum of 100 Mbps download speeds, which is fast enough for a typical family of four to videoconference or stream movies or television.
There are several ways to qualify, which are outlined on the ACP program’s website.
Households that are under these income guidelines may apply based on income:
Or, check the list of eligible programs, which includes:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as Food Stamps
- Medicaid
- Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
- Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
- Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program, including at U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Community Eligibility Provision schools
- Federal Pell Grant (received in the current award year)
- Lifeline
If you take part in any of the above, you are eligible to apply.
Finally, families may meet the eligibility criteria for a participating broadband provider’s existing low-income internet program. For example, Xfinity bases its subsidized program on participation in 11 programs, including Head Start and receipt of a VA pension.
ACP-eligible households may also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop or tablet from participating providers, including Human-I-T. To get a discounted device, ACP-eligible families or individuals should contact their preferred provider directly.
Need help determining if you might be eligible? Drop us a line at tewksburycarnation@gmail.com.
Tewksbury PR Partner
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