Tablets are essential devices when it comes to communication purposes. They allow you to access social media services, such as Facebook, WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram, and Twitter. You can connect to the world and know what is happening in other countries through social media platforms. The devices have made the world look like a small village since you can interact with others in real-time. You will learn how you can get a free tablet and internet later.
Tablets are expensive devices, showing how getting one can be challenging for people from humble backgrounds. Thousands of people in the country need the devices, but they cannot get them because of financial challenges. Therefore, there is a need to assist such people in getting the tablets and the internet plans to help them access various services. Remember that tablets are not just for connecting with others but can also help you execute your job duties.
The federal government has a benefits program that offers free government tablet and broadband to needy households. These people have low incomes whereby they cannot afford to purchase tablets. Even though one has to contribute something little, as we shall see, the amount is usually little, and you will have gotten the device for free. You will also find out that non-governmental institutions offer free tablets and other devices.
How does a tablet work?
A tablet almost works like a smartphone in various ways. Some have SIM card slots so that you can insert SIM cards for various operations. A SIM card slot allows you to communicate with others through phone calls, messaging, and even cellular data.
Moreover, tablets allow you to play games. Depending on your OS, you can download games from the relevant sites and enjoy a lovely time. Android tablets allow you to download games from the Play Store, while iPhone tablets only allow you to get games from the App Store. Those are the same games you find on smartphones but now on a larger screen.
Additionally, you can play videos on a tablet. You can get the videos online from Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram. A tablet is a convenient device to play your favorite movies if you like movies. You only need to download them from the relevant sites or use portable storage such as a memory card or USB disk.
Furthermore, tablets have an OTG function that allows you to charge other phones using your device’s battery. You have to connect your charging cable to an OTG adapter to charge. Also, the OTG function allows you to read external hard disks and USB storage devices.
Another interesting thing with tablets is that they can connect to WiFi networks. If you have a WiFi hotspot near you, you can find it interesting to enjoy internet connections. You can also opt for the cellular internet to have an active data plan.
How to get a free tablet and internet?
I suppose you have been waiting to know where you can source a tablet for your various activities. Let us look at the various places you can source such a device and enjoy numerous services.
1) Free tablet from the federal government
You can have a free tablet from the government if you meet specific requirements. You just have to ensure that you get the required documents before proceeding. You can get a free tablet if you apply for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).
The Affordable Connectivity Program is a government benefit program through FCC that helps low-income households get the broadband they need for school, work, healthcare, etc. The ACP benefit gives those who qualify a discount of up to $30/month toward internet and $75 per/month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Qualifying households can also get a one-time discount of up to $100 to buy a tablet, laptop, or desktop computer from participating service providers. To the purchase price, beneficiaries should contribute more, between $10 and $50.
The amount to contribute depends on your service provider and the specifications of the tablet you need. The ACP program is a one monthly service discount plus one device discount per household. Internet discounts renew every month to stay connected all the way through. The small contribution to buying a tablet from your service provider is the same as getting the device for free.
2) How to qualify for the ACP program
You can qualify for the ACP program if your household income is at/below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. You can also qualify if a member of your household meets at least one of the following criteria.
First of all, you can qualify if you received a Federal Pell Grant within the current award year. You can also have a free tablet with Food Stamps, also called SNAP, a nutritional aid service that assists needy people to get the nutrition they need. Other benefit programs apart from SNAP that you can use to qualify for ACP include the following.
- SNAP
- Medicaid
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- WIC
- Federal Public Housing Assistance
- Veterans Pension or Survivor Benefits
- Social Security Disability (SSD)
- Extended Foster Care
- Federal Pell Grant
- Section 8, Federal Public Housing Assistance/Group Residential Housing (GRH)
- The National School Lunch Program’s Free/Reduced Lunch Program
- Lifeline
Additionally, if you live on Qualifying Tribal lands, you can qualify for the program if you participate in one of the following aid programs.
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
- Tribal TANF
- Tribal Head Start (income-based)
There are usually two steps to enrolling in the Affordable Connectivity Program. You should first go to ACPBenefit.org to submit your application or print out a mail-in application. After that, you should contact your preferred participating service provider to choose a plan and have the discount applied to your monthly bill. Your service provider may have an alternative method of application that you should follow to benefit from the service.
If you apply via the ACP Benefit portal, you should contact your preferred service provider to benefit from the service.
What docs do you need to apply for the Affordable Connectivity Program?
You should show an official document to prove that you qualify for ACP through a particular benefits program. You can get a free tablet with EBT, but the EBT card alone is not enough to confirm that you qualify. Documents needed include the following.
When applying for unemployment, the following documents are necessary.
- An Unemployment Compensation statement of benefits
- Social Security statement of benefits
- A retirement or pension statement of benefits
- Notice letter of participation in General Assistance
- The previous year’s federal, state, or tribal tax return (W2 forms or pay stubs are unacceptable)
- A Veteran Administration statement of benefits (VA cards alone are unacceptable)
There are also documents to show your qualification through benefits. By the way, there are details you must provide before applying for the ACP. They include the following.
- A photo ID Proof
- Eligibility proof document
- Contact details
- Income proof or student information
- Residence proof
- Income proof or salary slip
3) Non-Governmental organizations
We have various non-governmental organizations that give you free tablets if you are eligible. Most of them are church-based, while others are general. The following are some of the NGOs you can get free tablets from.
- Adaptive.org
- Computer technology assistance corps
- Everyone
- World Computer Exchange
- Causes
- Smartriverside
- Accelerated Schools Program
- City.org
- Microsoft Registered Refurbisher
- Komputers 4 Kids
- Technology Assisting People In Need
- PCs for people
- Interconnection
Is Lifeline the same as ACP?
Lifeline and ACP are not the same. However, they fall under the same umbrella. Lifeline is a federal aid program that offers low-income eligible American households free phones and discounted communication plans. As we have seen with ACP, you can be eligible via low income or participation in aid programs. The service gives free cell phones to seniors and other citizens that qualify.
To qualify for Lifeline through income, your household should have a total income of 135% of the federal poverty guidelines. Only one person per household should get the benefit, and others should benefit from them. Again, the lifeline benefits are non-transferable. The same applies to the ACP program.
Does Lifeline offer free tablets?
Most service providers for the Lifeline program do not offer free tablets. You only get a free phone and a discounted plan to enjoy your services. However, one of the famous Lifeline providers, QLink offers free tablets for their Lifeline customers. The company also gives you cellular services with free data, texts, and voice calls minutes apart from the Lifeline offers. To receive a free tablet from Qlink, you should sign up, be verified, and activate your service, and you are good to go.
Bottom line
A tablet is an essential device for connecting to various platforms such as social media and workplaces. They are also sources of entertainment whereby you can play games, videos, and listen to music. The devices are expensive, and it can be challenging to acquire one. The federal government understands that, and that is why they offer free tablets to eligible households alongside discounted broadband services through ACP.
