Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko from Pexels
By: Ben Miller, director of government and regulatory affairs for Comcast in Michigan
The past two years have taught us the importance of needing a reliable internet connection at home. It’s been essential to working remotely, keeping up with schoolwork, staying entertained and remaining in touch with loved ones.
But of the 96% of Americans who have broadband service available in their home, only 77% actually subscribe—a gap that a new government-sponsored program is trying to close.
What Is It?
Established on January 1, the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is the result of a collaboration between the U.S. government and internet service providers (ISPs) to extend a once-temporary plan to help satisfy the digital needs of low-income families and those who had lost income during the pandemic.
If you’re eligible, the ACP will pay your internet bill up to $30 per month and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands.
Since many ISPs offer high-speed service plans at $30 or less, the program essentially gives free internet to participating households.
How Do You Get It?
Your household is eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program if you meet just one of the following criteria:
- Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating ISP’s existing low-income program, like Comcast’s Internet Essentials.
- Has an income at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines.
- Participates in one of these assistance programs:
- Medicaid
-
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
- SNAP (formerly known as Food Stamps)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
- Received a Federal Pell Grant (in the current award year)
- Free & Reduced-Price School Lunch or Breakfast Program
- Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children
- Participates in Tribal-specific assistance programs.
Among the paperwork you’ll need to gather to show you qualify is proof of income—including either a tax return, pay stub or Social Security statement of benefits—or proof of participation in one of the above programs, which can include approval letters, benefit verification letters or statement of benefits.
How Do You Enroll?
Enrolling in the Affordable Connectivity Program is a two-step process
- Apply online by visiting acpbenefit.org.
- Contact your preferred participating ISP directly to select a plan and have the discount applied to your bill.
You can also apply by mail, which requires you print out and complete the application, and send along copies of the required documents to: ACP Support Center, PO Box 7081, London, KY 40742
What Else Should You Know?
With 30 million Americans still eligible for the ACP, it’s worth seeing if you qualify so your household can start taking advantage of free or discounted internet service.
There is currently no end date to the Affordable Connectivity Program, so once you’re enrolled, you can enjoy its benefits for as long as you remain eligible.
It’s also worth noting that the ACP is not a direct check you receive, but rather a credit applied to your internet bill. Therefore, once you’re enrolled in the ACP, it’s important to notify your ISP so the discount can be applied each month.
You can also take that time with your ISP to review your internet plan and potentially get more speed for less than you currently pay.
For more information on the ACP, visit fcc.gov/acp.
