California is one of the states of America with thousands of people living under the poverty line. Such people cannot afford all that they require to support their life. Therefore, there is a need to assist such people where possible. We all understand how important smartphones and tablets are to our modern life. Therefore, it is crucial to own one to carry out various transactions. We will see how you can get a free government tablet California later.
A free tablet from the government is usually an offer to low-income households throughout the United States. Therefore, it is not just in California. You need to understand what a low-income household is before we proceed. A low-income household refers to one with a total income of 200% of the Federal government poverty guideline. Again, a household means people who live together under one roof. That means friends living together form a household. The same applies to family members living together.
There are various things you can do with a tablet as we speak. They include playing games, watching movies, listening to music for entertainment, working online, doing academic research, etc. We have numerous schools that allow kids in their study environments, which shows how important the device can be. Remember that you can use the device to make calls, send texts, and interact with others on social media.
Best method to get a free government tablet in California
If you are looking at the various ways you can get a free tablet in the State of California, then you are in the right place. We have several options that you can use to get your free tablet government. They include the following.
Through the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)
The Affordable Connectivity Program is one of the sure ways you can get a free tablet from the government. The Affordable Connectivity Program is a government aid program that operates through the FCC and helps households who cannot afford broadband for work, healthcare, school, and much more.
The program gives you a discount of up to $30 every month to cater for internet services for eligible households and up to $75/month for households on eligible Tribal lands. Eligible households can also get a one-time discount of up to $100 to buy a tablet, laptop, or computer, from participating service providers.
However, to get the discount, they should contribute at least $10 and at most $50 toward the purchase price. That is how you can get a free tablet from the service, bearing in mind that what you contribute is very small.
The ACP program is limited to one monthly broadband discount and one device discount per household. Two or more people cannot benefit from the service from the same household.
Eligibility for the ACP Program
Now that you know how to get a free tablet through the ACP program, it is time to know how you can qualify. Not everyone can have the chance to enjoy the benefit since the chances are not enough for every household.
A household qualifies for the ACP program if the total household income is at/below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Also, a household may get a free tablet with Food Stamps, one of the aid programs for nutritional purposes of needy people. Other programs that you can use to get a free tablet include the following.
- Medicaid
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- WIC
- Federal Public Housing Assistance
- Veterans Pension or Survivor Benefits
- Lifeline
You can also qualify if any of the family members participate in any of the following assistance programs and live on Qualifying Tribal lands:
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
- Tribal TANF
- Tribal Head Start (income-based)
Moreover, you can qualify if you received a Federal Pell Grant within the current year for the awards and Meets the qualification criteria for a participating provider’s low-income internet program.
The ACP program gives you two steps to apply for the program: visiting ACP Benefit and submitting an application or printing out a mail-in application. After that, you must contact your participating provider to choose a discounted plan and a tablet. Some service providers allow you to apply on their websites as long as you provide the necessary documents.
Documentation That you needed for proof
Participating in a benefits program is not enough to get approval for a free tablet and broadband benefit at ACP. You must show various documents in the process. The required ones include the following.
- Contact details
- Income proof or the salary slip
- A photo identity proof
- Residence proof
- Eligibility proof document
- Income proof or the student’s information
Since qualification by income is one of the essential factors, the following are the different types you can bring as proof of income.
- A retirement/pension statement of benefits
- An Unemployment compensation statement of benefits
- A Social Security statement of benefits
- Federal or tribal notice letter for participation in General Assistance
- A Veteran Administration statement of benefits (VA cards alone not accepted)
- The prior year’s state, federal, or tribal tax return ( pay stubs or W2 forms are not acceptable)
Various ACP providers in California
Various companies offer ACP services to eligible consumers in California. Some even offer Lifeline services whereby they offer free phones for seniors in California upon application as long as they are eligible. They include the following.
- Access Wireless
- American Broadband and Telecommunications Company
- Assurance Wireless
- Boost Mobile
- US Connect
- City Communications
- Cintex Wireless
- Clear Wireless
- ConnectTo
- Culture Wireless
- Cox
- enTouch Wireless
- Excess Telecom
- StandUp Wireless
- Q Link Wireless
- Red Pocket
- Ting Internet
- TracFone Wireless
- TruConnect
- Selectel Wireless
- SafetyNet Wireless
Through Non-Governmental organizations and government
We have seen how you can get a free tablet with EBT, among other government aid programs. EBT card allows you to receive SNAP benefits. However, the government is not the only body that gives free tablets to qualifying citizens. We have other non-governmental bodies that give free tablets and even computers to those in need. These Non-governmental organizations work with the government to offer free devices. They include the following:
i) Adaptive.org
The company recycles/repairs computers and tablets and donates them to low-income persons such as those with disabilities, among other needy persons. You do not have to pay anything to get a tablet as you only need to present your qualification documents, and you are good to go.
ii) Everyone
The organization requires applicants to have an income of less than $35000 per year. They give free tablets, free courses, internet services plus laptops to needy persons. Of course, you must show proof of income to benefit.
iii) Computer technology assistance corps
Computer Technology Assistance Corps receives tablet and computer donations from those who do not need them and give them to low-income households with kids, seniors, and individuals with disabilities. It is a Charitable Organization with headquarters in New Hampshire.
iv) City.org
The organization provides free and discounted tablets to needy students, families, and teachers. They also offer internet packages and software to eligible persons.
v) PCs for people
PCs for People gives you a free pick up and recycling of electronic waste from businesses, educational institutions, and governmental organizations. It then gives away the devices to needy persons. PCs for People has given away over 190,000 computers since 1998.
vi) World computer exchange
World Computer Exchange is a US and Canada-based charity organization. The platform provides free internet with laptops and computers to the young population. The organization’s main aim is to reduce the digital divide for the youth in developing countries.
Another Way to get a free tablet
Another option that you can get a free tablet is by requesting your financially stable relatives and friends to help you with the tablet. There are many people out there who are ready to give you a free tablet upon request, and thus you should not be afraid of asking for help. Even your local religious center can help you with a free tablet.
Is There A Way to Get free tablet From Lifeline
Lifeline is a federal government aid program giving discounted plans and free phones to needy households whereby you can get free cell phones for seniors and other needy people. You can apply online through your service provider and get the benefits.
People can get free tablets via the Lifeline service, although not all service providers allow you to get a free tablet when you apply. As we saw earlier, the benefits program is one of the considerations when applying for ACP.
Final Thought
California is a state in the US with millions of needy people who cannot afford a free tablet. You can get a free tablet when living within the State, including through the ACP, NGOs, or close friends and relatives. Tablets are virtual devices that allow you to work online, entertain yourself by playing games, study online, and work online, among other activities.