There are various ways you can get one if you qualify. By the way, AP means Affordable Connectivity Program. It is a government program that discounts broadband internet service to eligible households. The program was created by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, and it replaced the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) program. The ACP gives you a discount of up to $30 monthly on broadband internet service with ACP free phone and tablet for eligible households. Households on qualifying Tribal lands are eligible for a discount of up to $75 per month.
The government uses ACP to offer free phones, tablets, and the internet to assist low-income households in accessing communication services just like the other citizens. Phones and tablets are essential because they allow you to communicate with others far away from you through voice calls, text messages, and online platforms. You can therefore keep in touch with your family members. The devices also allow you to receive crucial information from others.
Moreover, phones and tablets allow you to make money from anywhere. You can easily do various tasks online from home and earn money. Jobs you can do with phones and tablets include paid surveys, blogging, creating YouTube videos, and social media management. Again, you can use the devices for entertainment, such as games, movies, and music videos. You can also save essential details on those devices and access them in the future.
How to get ACP free phone and tablet
Getting a free phone through ACP from some providers who combine Lifeline with the Affordable Connectivity Program is easy. You only need to qualify for ACP and apply. You will then receive your free phone at your physical address. Some service providers allow you to choose the phone you want.
The ACP program also provides a one-time discount of up to $100 on purchasing a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet. That is how you can get a free tablet from participating service providers. To be eligible for the ACP, you must meet specific income requirements.Â
How to qualify for ACP Program
There are various ways you can qualify for the ACP program. First, households with incomes at 200% or below of the Federal Poverty Guidelines fit for the program. Additionally, households with one or more members participating in specific government assistance programs, such as;
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Medicaid
- WIC (women, infants, and children)
- Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch Program
- Head Start
- Pell Grants
- Lifeline
- Veterans Pension or Survivor Benefits
You can also qualify for the program through certain Tribal Lands assistance programs. They include the following.
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
- Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
- Tribal Head Start (only households meeting the required income qualifying standard)
Also, you can qualify by participating in providers’ existing low-income internet programs. Some internet service providers (ISPs) have low-income internet programs. Participating in one of these programs may make you eligible for the ACP.
How to apply for ACP Program
You can apply online, via mail, or by phone. To apply online, go to the ACP website and follow the instructions. If applying by mail, you can download the ACP application form and mail it to the address provided on the form. To apply by phone, call the ACP hotline at 1-855-334-2255.
If approved for the ACP, you will receive a broadband internet service bill discount. The discount is up to $30 per month for most households, and it is up to $75 per month for families on qualifying Tribal lands. You can use the discount to pay for any broadband internet service, including DSL, cable, fiber, and satellite.
You will also receive your phone or tablet at your physical address. Some service providers allow you to get both a phone and a tablet. You must pay a small amount for a tablet to get it. However, it must be at most $50.
Affordable Connectivity Program rules
There are various Affordable Connectivity Rules that must be followed at all costs. Going against them can lead to disqualification or prosecution. They include the following.
- Households can only receive one ACP benefit per household. That means that if you are already receiving an ACP benefit from another provider, you cannot receive an ACP benefit from another provider.
- Households must provide proof of eligibility when applying for the ACP. This proof of eligibility can include your income information, proof of residency, or proof of participation in a government assistance program.
- Households must renew their ACP benefit each year. To renew your ACP benefit, you must reapply for the benefit each year.
- Households must use the ACP benefit to pay for broadband internet service. The ACP benefit cannot be used to pay for other goods or services.
- Households must be truthful when applying for the ACP. Provide false information when applying for the ACP. You may be ineligible for the benefit and may be needed to repay any benefits you have received.
ACP service providers
Many internet service providers (ISPs) participate in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). You can find a list of participating ISPs on the ACP website. Suppose you are eligible for the ACP and Lifeline. In that case, you can combine the benefits to save even more funds on your phone and internet. The following are some of the ACP and Lifeline service providers.
- AT&T
- Comcast
- Cox Communications
- Spectrum
- Verizon
- T-Mobile
- Frontier Communications
- HughesNet
- Viasat
- Starlink
The above are just a few ISPs participating in the ACP and Lifeline programs. You can contact them directly to determine if your current ISP participates in one of these programs. Suppose you are still determining eligibility for the ACP or Lifeline. In that case, you can use the National Verifier tool to check your eligibility. The National Verifier tool is a free online tool that can be used to check your eligibility for the ACP, Lifeline, and other government programs.
Bottom line
Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a valuable program that can help low-income households afford broadband internet service. The program offers a discount of up to $30 monthly on broadband internet service for eligible households. Households on qualifying Tribal lands are eligible for a discount of up to $75 per month. The program also offers beneficiaries a one-time discount of up to $100 on purchasing a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet. You can also get a free phone and tablet through the program.