Affordable Connectivity Program Consumer FAQ

Eligibility

Who is eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program?

A household is eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program if the household income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or if a member of the household meets at least one of the criteria below:

• Participates in certain assistance programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid, Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program (Section 8 Vouchers), Project-Based Rental Assistance (PBRA)/202/811, Public Housing, SSI, WIC, or Lifeline;
• Participates in the Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program, including at U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Community Eligibility Provision schools.
• Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year;
• Participates in Tribal specific programs, such as Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Tribal TANF, Affordable Housing Programs for American Indians, Alaska Natives or Native Hawaiians, or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations; or
• Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider's existing low-income internet program.

Can I apply for the Affordable Connectivity Program if I have a past due balance with the provider?

Yes, eligible consumers with a past due balance or a balance in collections are eligible for the benefit.

Can I sign up for the Affordable Connectivity Program if I am already a customer or if I was a customer in the past?

Yes, the benefit is available to eligible new, prior and existing customers of participating providers.

Can my roommate and I each get a monthly discount?

The Affordable Connectivity Program is limited to one monthly service discount per household, which is defined as any individual or group of individuals who are living together at the same address and share income and expenses. Learn more and find a household worksheet at AffordableConnectivity.gov/do-i-qualify/what-is-a-household/

What is Lifeline and how do I qualify?

Lifeline is the FCC's program to help make communications services more affordable for low-income consumers. To participate in the Lifeline program, consumers must either have an income that is at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines or participate in certain federal assistance programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicaid, Federal Public Housing Assistance, Supplemental Security Income, the Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit, or certain Tribal Programs. Find out if you are eligible by reviewing the information available at lifelinesupport.org (click "Do I Qualify?").

If I already receive Lifeline benefits will I automatically receive the Affordable Connectivity Program?

No. You must opt-in with your existing provider or request enrollment in the Affordable Connectivity Program with a participating internet provider and chose an eligible service plan. You can choose to receive the benefit from your current Lifeline service provider or another participating provider.

Can I receive both the Affordable Connectivity Program and Lifeline benefits at the same time?

Yes. You can also combine these benefits with other state and local benefits where available. They can be applied to the same qualifying service or separately to a Lifeline service and an Affordable Connectivity Program service with the same or different providers. For example, an eligible household could have a Lifeline-supported mobile phone service and a separate home internet service that is supported through the Affordable Connectivity Program.

Everyone at my child's school receives breakfast and lunch at no cost. Do we qualify?

A household may enroll in the Affordable Connectivity Program if its school participates in the Community Eligibility Provision or the household separately applied for and has been approved for benefits in the free and reduced price school lunch program or school breakfast program. If a school is offering lunch or breakfast free to all students regardless of income based on a program other than the Community Eligibility Provision - such as through COVID-19 waivers extending the Seamless Summer Option (SSO) or Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) - then the household would not be eligible through the free and reduced price school lunch program or school breakfast program by virtue of an extension of the SSO or SFSP.

I live in a multi-unit dwelling (for example, an apartment building) and we pay the property manager/landlord a monthly fee for our internet. Can I get the Affordable Connectivity Program benefit?

Yes. If you qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program, talk to your property manager/landlord and ask that they work with their internet service provider to learn more about the benefits that might be available to you and other eligible residents.

I previously participated in a provider's low-income program, but I am no longer enrolled in that program. Does my past participation in that program qualify me for the Affordable Connectivity Program?

Check with the provider for more information about whether you qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program.

Will I be able to use the service and the device if I have a disability?

The services and devices will be accessible to and usable by people with disabilities. If you have any concerns about whether your internet service and equipment is accessible, contact the FCC's Disability Rights office at 202-418-2517 for a voice phone call, at 844-432-2275 by videophone, or by email at DRO@fcc.gov.

How To Apply

How can I apply?

Two Steps to Enroll

1. Go to GetInternet.gov to submit an application or print out a mail-in application.
2. Contact your preferred participating provider to select a service plan and have the discount applied to your bill.

Some providers may have an alternative application they will ask you to complete.

Eligible households must both apply for the program and contact a participating provider to select a service plan.

Can I apply directly with a provider?

Some participating providers have received approval from the FCC to use an alternative verification process and will be able to approve and enroll eligible households directly. Contact your preferred provider directly to learn about their application process.

Do I need to contact my preferred provider after my application is approved?

Yes, if you applied online at GetInternet.gov or by mail and have been approved, you need to contact your preferred service provider and select a service plan in order to begin receiving the monthly discount off your bill. If you want to apply the discount to service with your current internet service provider you will need to contact your provider after your application is approved.

If I submit an application by mail how will I know if I was approved and when can I contact a provider to start receiving the benefit?

If you submit an application to the Affordable Connectivity Program Support Center by mail, you will receive updates by mail regarding your application status (or by email if you provided an email address on your application). For example, USAC will contact you if additional information or documents are needed and if your application has been approved. Once you receive notification that you qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program, you can sign up for service with a participating provider following the instructions provided in the email or letter confirming your approval.

If I currently receive Lifeline benefits, do I need to apply?

If you are currently enrolled in Lifeline, you generally do not need to apply separately for the Affordable Connectivity Program. You can contact your current Lifeline provider or a different participating Affordable Connectivity Program provider serving your area to choose a service plan. Some participating providers may require that current Lifeline recipients complete an alternative verification process.

How is "household" defined for purposes of the Affordable Connectivity Program?

"Household" is defined as any individual or group of individuals who live together at the same address as one economic unit. An "economic unit" is defined as "all adult individuals contributing to and sharing in the income and expenses of a household." The Affordable Connectivity Program support is available to eligible low-income subscribers living in group living facilities. Applicants may be asked to complete a one-per-household worksheet, which asks questions about your household to determine if there is more than one household at your address. The Affordable Connectivity Program is limited to one monthly service discount and one connected device discount per household. Learn more at AffordableConnectivity.gov/do-i-qualify/what-is-a-household

What documentation do I need to provide when I apply for the Affordable Connectivity Program?

Consumers will need to provide documentation if their eligibility cannot be confirmed automatically by checking a program eligibility database (SNAP or Medicaid, for example). Documents you can use to prove your eligibility include:

• Benefit award letter
• Approval letter
• Statement of benefits
• Benefit verification letter
• For federal Pell Grants, documents must include the student’s first and last name, be from the student’s school (college or university, community college, or career school) or the Department of Education, and show the student has received a Pell Grant for the current award year.

Applicants may also need to provide documentation to confirm their identity or address.

You can learn more about the documentation you may need to provide and how to submit it by visiting: AffordableConnectivity.gov/how-to-apply/show-you-qualify.

How can I prove my child is approved for the free and reduced-price school lunch or school breakfast program?

There are two different ways to prove your child is approved.

1. If your child attends a Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) school, select "Free and Reduced Price School Lunch or Breakfast Program" when applying online on the "Confirm You Qualify" page, then select the name of the school from the drop-down menu. Next, upload official school documentation that demonstrates that your child is enrolled at that school.

   The documentation must include:

   • The enrolled student's (benefit qualifying person's) name
   • Name of the school
   • The school year for which the student is enrolled
   • School address and school contact information (phone number or email)

   Examples of acceptable documentation include a student's report card or an official letter from the school or school district indicating the student's enrollment. The report card or official letter must meet the above requirements. Generic school notices that do not include the student's name and other required information are not sufficient to enroll in the program based on the CEP.

2. If the student applied for and is approved to receive benefits under the free and reduced-price school lunch program or school breakfast program, you can apply online by selecting "Free and Reduced Price School Lunch or Breakfast Program" on the "Confirm You Qualify" page. You will also be required to submit documentation, such as a letter from a school or school district confirming approval.

To qualify for the ACP, the documentation must be dated for the current school year or the school year immediately preceding your application for the ACP.

To qualify for ACP based on participation in the free or reduced price school lunch or breakfast program, including the CEP, the household's child or dependent must be a current student at the time the ACP application is submitted.

You can learn more about the documentation you may need to provide and how to submit it by visiting: AffordableConnectivity.gov/how-to-apply/show-you-qualify.

Who do I contact if I have a disability and need help applying for the Affordable Connectivity Program?

If you are a person with a disability and need assistance with your Affordable Connectivity Program application, contact the Affordable Connectivity Program Support Center via email at ACPSupport@usac.org or call 877-384-2575.

If you have a question about whether your Affordable Connectivity Program service and equipment is accessible, contact the FCC's Disability Rights Office at 202-418-2517 for a voice phone call, at 844-432-2275 by videophone, or by email at DRO@fcc.gov.

Internet Service Discounts

How much does broadband service cost?

The Affordable Connectivity Program provides a monthly discount for internet service up to $30 per eligible household, or up to $75 per eligible household on Tribal lands. The discount will be applied to your internet service, but the ultimate cost to you will depend on the service plan you select from a participating provider.

Can I upgrade my current plan to take advantage of the full $30 per month (or $75 per month on Tribal lands)?

You may be able to do so. Ask your provider about the plans they have available as part of the Affordable Connectivity Program.

If the service plan I pick is $25 per month, do I get the extra money?

No. The provider is only reimbursed for the cost of the plan up to $30 per eligible household, or up to $75 per eligible household on Tribal lands.

If the plan I pick is more than the monthly discount for internet service, do I pay the extra myself?

Yes. You are responsible for any amount over $30 per month (or over $75 per month on Tribal lands) for internet service under the Affordable Connectivity Program.

I currently subscribe to a bundle of services that includes internet, TV, and phone. Can I apply the Affordable Connectivity Program benefit to my monthly bill?

The Affordable Connectivity Program benefit can be applied to the cost of a bundle of services that include internet, voice, texting and/or associated equipment. If your bundle also includes a TV service, you will be responsible for that portion of your bill, as well as any services that are above the monthly discount.

Connected Devices

How does the $100 device benefit work?

Participating internet service providers can be reimbursed up to $100 if they supply a connected device to a household, provided the household pays more than $10 but less than $50 for the device. In other words, to take advantage of this benefit, it must be done through your participating internet service provider, and you must contribute a portion of the cost. The device benefit is limited to a laptop, a desktop computer, or a tablet. It does not include cell phones, large phones, or "phablets" that can make cellular calls.

If my child and I are part of the same household, can we each get our own connected device through the Affordable Connectivity Program?

No. Each household is limited to a single device discount.

Tribal

Do individuals have to be Tribal members to qualify for the enhanced Tribal benefit?

No. Anyone living on eligible Tribal lands can receive the enhanced Tribal benefit. They do not need to be a member of a Tribe.

How do I know if my household is eligible for the enhanced Tribal benefit?

You can find out more about which areas are eligible Tribal lands at AffordableConnectivity.gov/do-i-qualify/enhanced-tribal-benefit/.

Can I receive both the enhanced Tribal Lifeline Benefit and the $75 Affordable Connectivity Program each month?

Yes. An eligible household on Tribal lands can receive both the $34.25 Lifeline Tribal benefit and the $75 Affordable Connectivity Program benefit. They can be applied to the same qualifying service or separately to a Lifeline service and internet service with the same or different providers as long as the provider is participating in the Affordable Connectivity Program. For example, an eligible household could have a Lifeline-supported mobile service and a separate home internet service that is supported through the Affordable Connectivity Program.