Affordable Connectivity Program is a supportive program created by Congress and implemented by the federal communication commission. However, not everyone able to obtain Affordable Connectivity Program Eligibility. The program is specifically meant to assist low-income households with broadband access for health care, school, work, utilities, and other services. Therefore, at least individuals of the household must attain the qualification criteria to participate.
First, if you or any household member participates in the federal Lifeline program that offers free government smartphones, you’ll also be qualified to participate in the ACP. The ACP program provides affordable, high-speed internet to qualified households, which improves the lives of older Americans. Besides, ACP provides two discounts: monthly internet service and one-time discounts on connected devices.
Most importantly, not all ACP providers give both kinds of discounts. Some providers only provide discounts on monthly services. ACP provides discounts of up to $30 per month on your broadband internet service for qualified households. Plus, up to $75 a month for qualified households living on qualifying Tribal lands. The program also provides a one-time discount of $100 to buy a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer.
What document affordable connectivity program eligibility?
Generally, the qualification criteria are the same for all the internet service providers, but you can get more information at FCC ACP. Its the mandate of the FCC to determine the eligibility requirements and not the providers themselves. Therefore, to qualify in the ACP benefits, you have the following options:
i) If You Already Receiving a Lifeline Benefit
Lifeline is a Federal Communications Commission program to make communications services more accessible for low-income consumers. If you currently get a Lifeline benefit, you automatically qualify for the ACP.
Additionally, you can receive both benefits at the same time. You can apply for ACP benefit and your free government tablet lifeline benefits to the same or separate services. Contact your internet company to know how to receive ACP discounts.
2) Based on Your Income
You can receive ACP if your income is 200% or less than the Federal Poverty Guidelines. However, the guideline depends on your household size and state. You may require to show proof of income, such as a tax return or three consecutive pays stubs when applying for ACP.
3) Federal Assistance Programs
You can receive ACP if you or a household member participates in one of these programs:
- Food Stamps previously Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
- Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for (WIC)
- Medicaid
- Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
a) School Lunch Program
School Breakfast Program or Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch Program, including at US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Community Eligibility Provision schools in the 2019-20, 2020-21, or 2021-22 academic year
b) Acquired a Federal Pell Grant in the current award year
Notably, you may require to indicate a card, letter, or official document as proof that you participate in one of the stated programs when applying for the ACP.
c) Tribal Assistance Programs
If you reside on qualifying Tribal lands, you can receive ACP if your household income equals to or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or if you and household members participate in:
- Any of the above listed federal assistance programs
- Tribal TANF
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
- Head Start (only households attain the income qualifying standard)
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
Most importantly, you may have to indicate proof of participation, such as a benefits letter or official document, when applying for ACP. Learn more about the free tablet with food stamps.
4) Qualify Through Your Child or Dependent
Generally, any household member can make your household qualify if they participate in one of the programs above. For instance, if your child or dependent is a beneficiary of the Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch Program or is a member of a USDA Community Eligibility Provision school, your household is eligible for the ACP benefit.
What Documentation Do You Need for ACP Participation?
1) Qualifying Assistance Program Participation
If you are a participant/member in qualifying programs, you can avail a letter or official document as proof.
However, documentation must include:
- The applicant’s full name
- The qualifying program, such as Food Stamp
- The name of the government, program administrator, Tribal entity, school district, school, university, or college that provided the document
- Issue date for the last 12 months or a future expiry date
- For the School Breakfast Program, or Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch Program or at US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Community Eligibility Provision schools, certification includes either 2019-20, 2020-21, or 2021-22 school calendar year.
- For USDA Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) schools, the certificate must indicate that the student joined a CEP School for the 2021-2022, 2020-2021, 2019-2020, or school years. The acceptable documentation includes a report card that indicates the student’s name and the institution name or a letter from the school showing that the student participates in the CEP school.
- For Federal Pell Grants, documents must be from the current academic year and can feature screenshots of a StudentAid.gov dashboard.
Documents Include:
- Benefit award letter
- Approval letter
- Statement of benefits
- Benefit verification letter
2) Household Income
If you qualify via your income, you will be required to provide a document that confirms that your annual income equals or is below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. The documentation must feature:
- Your (or your dependent’s) full name
- Your gross income
Document Includes:
- Previous year’s federal, state, or Tribal tax return
- Recent income statement from your employer or a paycheck stub
- Unemployment or Worker’s Compensation statement of benefits
- A Social Security statement of benefits
- Veterans Administration statement of benefits
- Child support award, divorce decree, or a similar official document that indicates your income
- A retirement/pension statement of benefits
3) Identity Verification
Documentation must include:
- Your first and last name
- Your date of birth
Document Features:
- A valid government, state, military, or Tribal ID
- Birth Certificate
- US Driver’s license
- Passport
- Certificate of US Citizenship or Naturalization
- Permanent Resident Card or Green Card
- Government assistance program certificate
- Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) form (doesn’t have to bear a date of birth)
- Address
Documentation must include:
- Your first and last name
- Your physical address
Document Examples:
- To confirm your address through the online application, you will require the online mapping tool in the application to assist USAC to find your address
- If you opt to mail in documentation, you can forward a map that indicates your physical address or location, such as latitude and longitude coordinates (coordinates are needed if you reside on Tribal lands)
Other Options Include:
- Driver’s license or other legal government, state, or Tribal ID
- Utility bill
- Mortgage or lease statement
- Most recent W-2 or tax return
4) Duplicate Address
- If you reside with another adult who participates in the ACP, you will have to answer a few questions to know if your household qualifies for more than one benefit.
- Documentation must include:
- Fill out an ACP Household Worksheet if a member in your household at your address already receives an ACP benefit.
Documentation:
If you utilize the online application, a blank, fillable worksheet will appear in the online application. By mail, you must fill out the paper form and mail it to the ACP Support Center.
5) Emancipated Minor
Anyone applying for ACP benefits must be 18 years old to participate unless you are an emancipated minor.
Documentation must include:
- Full name (last and first)
- Confirmation of emancipated minor status
Documents:
- Court document
- Certificate of emancipation
How To Apply For Affordable Connectivity Program?
You can apply for the ACP that provides an affordable connectivity program tablet through three options. First, you can apply online by logging in and creating a new account at the ACP’s online application portal. Besides, you can upload copies of your proof documentation. If you opt to apply online, you may get immediate approval.
The second option is to apply by mail. In this case, you will require printing out an application, fill it out, and sending it together with your copies of the needed documents to ACP Support Center, PO Box 7081, London, KY 40742. You can submit applications and proof documents through mail to the above address.
Finally, the last option is to contact your ISP directly and request if it participates in the ACP. Ask your provider to take you through the steps needed to complete the process if it does. Besides, ask your company for help with submitting your proof documentation. You can submit documentation using the company’s website if the option is available.
Bottom line
ACP is a long-term program that ensures that households can afford the internet they require for work, school, healthcare, and more. The affordable connectivity program provides both monthly service and device discounts to eligible households. Additionally, the ACP offers a discount of up to $30 per month on your broadband service for qualified households.
And up to $75 monthly for households on Tribal lands. On the other hand, the eligible households can also get a one-time discount of up to $100 to buy a desktop computer, laptop, or tablet from qualified providers if they contribute $10-$50 on the purchasing price.