While some decades ago, having a laptop, or any computer for that matter, was considered a luxury. However, today a laptop is a basic necessity. According to some research, approximately 94% of American households have at least one computer. In the past, only the wealthiest households could afford computers. However, as computers have become much more affordable, even individuals who don’t have lots of money can get one.
Nonetheless, the poorest households and people are still left behind. Fortunately, there are assured government programs, charities, and nonprofit organizations that give laptops to low-income households in need at affordable prices or even free of charge. This article will focus on free laptops with food stamps.
It is awkward to think of passing a single day without the internet and laptop in this technological and computer-generated world. Low-income households have to face so many difficulties, and they may not afford to buy a laptop. When you have a laptop with internet access, it is easy to know what is happening in the world and country. A computer with internet access can help you apply for jobs, do official government works, attend online classes, apply for government assistance, participate in online training business meetings, and do online shopping.
Some programs for free laptops include Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as Food Stamps. This implies that you may be a food stamp participant and be treated as eligible for the free laptop. EBB program is an extensive government program through which eligible individuals can get assistance on laptops and the internet. Additionally, some organizations also think through the eligibility of participating in the food stamp program. In this article, you will know about free laptops with food stamps and some organizations that provide free laptops and computers.
Qualification For Government Free Laptop
You can get a free laptop from the government by applying for the Emergency Broadband Benefit through an EBB provider that offers free laptops for low-income people, such as PCs for People. You must be EBB-eligible to receive a free laptop from an EBB provider. EBB eligibility criteria are universal and set by the FCC.
Generally, the FCC requires people to apply for EBB directly through the federal government. However, the PCs for People have been approved to use its existing eligibility verification process to qualify people for the EBB.
The households participating in the Food stamp or SNAP program are eligible to get an EBB program laptop and internet. Food stamps or SNAP participants are known to have low incomes and don’t afford to buy a laptop considered a necessity in their lives.
The food stamps participants have to explain their income as low as the federal poverty line and update it annually. Other organizations want to get information on individuals participating in food stamps and other government assistance programs such as TANF, SSI, and SNAP.
Other Basic Qualifications To Get Free Government Laptops
All EBB providers must follow these criteria.
i) Income-based Eligibility
You may qualify for the EBB program and receive a government free laptop for low-income people if:
- Your household income is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. For a single filer, the yearly income must be under $99,000 and for joint filers, it must be less than $198,000 in the year 2020.
- You or any of your household members have lost a job or got a termination letter or was furloughed since February 29 of 2020.
ii) Program-based Eligibility
You may qualify for the EBB program and receive a government free laptop for low-income people if you participate in specific government assistance programs, such as:
- Lifeline
- Medicaid
- SSI (Supplemental Security Income)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance Program
- Veterans Survivor and Pensions benefit program
You may also qualify, if you participate in a Tribal benefit program, such as:
- Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) General Assistance program
- Tribal Head Start (only those households can meet income-qualifying standards)
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations.
- Tribal TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)
iii) Lunch Program-based Eligibility
You may qualify for the EBB program and receive a government free laptop for low-income people if you or any of your household members have received approval for benefits under the free and reduced-price school lunch program or the school breakfast program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision in the 2019-2020 or 2020-2021 school year.
iv) Pell Grant-based Eligibility
You may qualify for the EBB program and receive a government-free laptop for low-income people if you or any of your household members have received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year.
Food Stamps Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for Food Stamp Program under Federal rules, your household’s income and resources must meet the following three tests.
- Assets have to fall below some limits. A household without a member who is elderly, a person considered to be 60 or more years old, or who has a disability must own assets of $2500 or less, and households with such a member must own assets of $3750 or less.
- The household’s net income must be at or below the poverty line.
- The household’s gross monthly income must be at or below 130% of the poverty guideline. The poverty line is higher for larger families and lower for small families.
Note that you might not be SNAP-eligible, regardless of whether you meet the above tests. You are not SNAP-eligible by default if you fall in the below categories.
- Unauthorized immigrants
- People on strike
- Students attending college more than half the time
- Some authorized immigrants
Furthermore, unemployed adults without children in the home who are not disabled are limited to three months of Food Stamp benefits every three years in many states.
Application For A Free Laptop From The Government
Applying for a free laptop from the government through an EBB program is simple. All you have to do is to follow some easy steps.
1st Step
Ensure that you are EBB-eligible (you participate in Food stamps). You can check it by reviewing the EBB eligibility criteria above. To ensure you indeed qualify, you can also visit the national-verifier website and check your eligibility.
2nd Step
Find an EBB provider that offers free laptops in your area and state of residence. You can search for participating broadband providers near you at Get Emergency Broadband or online. Once you find a provider, contact them to ensure they offer government-free laptops for low-income people in your state of residence.
3rd Step
Ask your provider how to apply for a free laptop for low-income people. The provider probably has an online application. If so, you will be able to visit the online application website and fill out the application form.
During the application process, you will be required to provide some personal information, and you may also be asked to provide certain documents proving your eligibility. The information you provide will go through a federal database that checks to see if you are already receiving the EBB benefit with another provider.
If you are already receiving the EBB benefit with another provider, you won’t be able to get another benefit, as only one EBB benefit is available per eligible household.
4th Step
Get your free laptop for low-income people. Once you have applied for a government-free laptop and get approved, your provider will notify you about what to do next and when you can expect to receive a free laptop for low-income customers.
Note that, you can follow the above simple process to get a free government smartphone through the EBB program from your service provider.
Free Laptop Providers Under Food Stamp Program
1) PCs for People
PCs for People are an organization that is doing its best to provide low-income families and households with essential wireless services and devices. An EBB provider offers quality refurbished desktop computers, laptops, internet, and other accessories to eligible low-income people.
To participate in the PCs for People EBB program, you must be EBB eligible. You can apply for the PCs for People EBB program online at PCs refurbished EBB. To do so, you must fill out the online application form, which will require you to accept their terms and conditions, create an account, and provide the necessary information and documentation.
2) Human I-T
Human-I-T is a nonprofit organization established to help bridge the digital divide and ensure everybody access primary electronic devices and broadband internet. The organization participates in the government EBB program by providing a discount on high-speed internet and laptops.
To participate in the Human-I-T EBB program, you must be EBB eligible. You can apply online at Human-i-t EBB by filling out the application form and providing all the necessary information and documentation. You can also apply by phone at (562) 372-6925.
3) Computer with causes
Computer with causes is an organization that deals with free computers and laptops. The organization highly evaluates the need and goes for a background ascertain to ensure a computer is essentially needed for your betterment.
You need to visit their official website and get started with an application. The Computer with causes application form should show that you are currently receiving assistance on TANF, SSI, Welfare, and Food stamps. You should provide correct information, and then your application will be reviewed for arranging a laptop for you.
4) On It Foundation
On it, Foundation works to eliminate the problem of digitisation in the United States. The students can receive a computer and laptop, and the parents should apply for them. You must include the student name, age, grade, school name, and other information in the application form. More essentially, you as parents should also inform them you are a low-income person and you are entitled to food stamp benefits.
5) Alliance for Technology
Alliance for technology is an organisation that believes in a prospering nonprofit technology refurbishment industry dedicated to ending the digital divide. In addition, they work in partnership with Computer Reach, Interconnection, Virginia Star, and Electronic Access Foundation to bridge the digitisation gap. Once you need a laptop, you can visit their organisation and get information on the availability of the laptop according to your location.
Final Thought
Nowadays, you can get a free laptop through an EBB program when you qualify for food stamps. You must ensure that the service providers currently run free laptops and computers. Most of the time, the service providers may have limitations according to a crisis of fund availability.
In addition, some providers may not directly offer free laptops but may give some assistance on a free laptop. So, it is essential to visit the right provider, check their EBB program, and get started with accurate information.