Verizon is a famous and one of the largest communication technology companies in the world. However, it participates in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) created by Congress and implemented by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Verizon affordable connectivity program assists eligible households in paying for their internet services. The ACP offers assistance to customers to connect to healthcare, jobs, and virtual classrooms.
Most importantly, Verizon recognizes the importance of internet connectivity and focuses on making the Verizon emergency broadband benefit subsidy available to their eligible customers. This program aims to avail internet service that is affordable for everyone. However, you must use the Verizon service to keep the subsidy, and if you reach 30 days without using any internet, you may no longer qualify to receive the subsidy.
Moreover, the ACP is a federal program that offers subsidized internet service for qualified customers and replaces the Emergency Broadband Benefit program. Those who qualify can receive a discount of $30 per month off their internet bill, and the amount increases to $75 per month for households residing on Tribal lands. Statistics announced by the White House is that more than 10 million households in the US had already subscribed to this program by February.
Qualification For The Verizon Affordable Connectivity Program
A household member qualifies for the Verizon Affordable Connectivity Program if the household income equals or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or if a member of the household attains at least one of the listed criteria below.
- Participates in specific government assistance programs including SNAP, Medicaid, Federal Public Housing Assistance, SSI, WIC, or Lifeline;
- Participates in Tribal specific programs including Tribal TANF, Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations;
- Participant in the School Breakfast Program or the National School Lunch Program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision;
- Achieved a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year or
- Attains the eligibility criteria through a participating provider’s existing low-income internet program.
After Verizon confirms your eligibility, you’ll get enrolled in the ACP program.
- The FCC does not directly pay ACP funds to program participants
- Verizon will give the ACP credit to your bill/account
- You must utilize the service monthly to keep ACP enrollment
- You will get the ACP credit until the program ends, provided you maintain qualifying internet service and stay eligible for ACP
- And You may switch your ACP credit to another internet service provider anytime. However, you cannot transfer your monthly benefits to another customer.
- After the program ends, you will be subject to Verizon’s undiscounted rates and terms and conditions if you continue getting Verizon’s service.
Sign Up Process For The Verizon Affordable Connectivity Program
You can apply through the following two ways:
- Proceed to ACP Benefit to fill an application or print out a mail-in application.
- If you don’t currently participate in the Lifeline program, you can apply for ACP with USAC at ACP Benefit. After USAC confirms that you are eligible, contact Verizon to enroll in the ACP program.
- Contact your preferred participating provider to select a plan and apply the discount to your bill.
Some service providers may provide an alternative application that they require you to complete. However, eligible households must apply for the program and contact a participating provider to choose a service plan. For Verizon Internet service, go to Verizon ACP consent or call 1.800.922.0204.
On the other hand, you do not have to contact USAC for households currently participating in the Lifeline program; proceed to Verizon Website or call Verizon at one of the numbers above to app.
Verizon Offered Mobile Device Deals
There are numerous Verizon compatible phones discounts on the latest cell phones for new and current customers and anyone who decides to switch to the Verizon network. The most common mobile device deals offered include:
i) Buy One Get One (BOGO) at a discounted price
A BOGO promotion offers special pricing when you purchase two devices simultaneously. However, the BOGO deal has requirements in that the cell phone you’re getting the discount on must equal or be of lesser value than the device you’re purchasing. Additionally, you pay for both devices using device payments, and you, in return, get a promo credit on your bill each month that entirely or partially clears the monthly payment for the “get one” device.
Moreover, the device you’re purchasing and the cell phone you’re getting must be on an eligible plan to be eligible for a BOGO.
ii) A Free or Discounted Device Deal
You can buy a qualifying device and receive a discount. A free or discounted device deal offers a monthly credit that gets spread to your billing statement over your promotional term to clear the cost of qualifying device purchase. Based on the promotion, a new line may be required.
However, your promo accumulates over your device payment term for 24 months or 30 months if you have a device payment agreement. If you bought your device at a total retail price, your promo is applied over 24 months, and you may qualify for a Verizon free phone upgrade.
iii) Trade-ins
You can trade in your old device and receive credit towards buying another device. A device trade-in promotion needs you to trade in an eligible device in perfect working and cosmetic condition to get a discount on a new device. The trade-in credit accumulates each month on your billing statement. You’ll start acquiring the trade-in credit immediately after your trade-in gets returned to Verizon.
Notably, to qualify for specific trade-in deals, you require to be on an eligible plan, and to maintain the discount, the cell phone must stay on a qualifying plan for the entire period.
Wrap Up
The Affordable Connectivity Program is an initiative by the FCC benefit program that ensures that households can afford the broadband they require for work, healthcare, school, and more. However, Verizon affordable connectivity program benefit offers a discount of up to $30 monthly toward internet service for qualified households and up to $75 monthly for households on qualifying Tribal lands.
Additionally, the eligible households can get a one-time discount of up to $100 to buy a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchasing price.
