You can get a free government tablet Missouri if you meet various eligibility requirements. Missouri is one of the various states in the United States of America. We have so many people who need help to afford tablets due to low financial status. Such people may not be able to put food on the table, and there is a need to assist them in acquiring devices such as tablets. The government of the United States has ways to assist people experiencing poverty with free tablets and phones to use in their day-to-day activities.
A tablet is an integral device in the modern day due to the various things you can do. First, some tablets have SIM card slots that allow you to put in a SIM card and make calls, send messages, and browse online using cellular data. That means you can have a tablet as your phone since it can do what phones do. Therefore, a tablet ensures you stay linked to friends and family.
Another advantage of having a tablet is that the device allows you to earn a living by doing various jobs. The device allows you to work online to manage social media accounts, work as a customer care agent, and blogging. You also need a tablet to entertain yourself by playing games, watching movies, and listening to songs. Above all, you can use the device to create documents such as Sheets and Word, which shows how crucial the device is to everyone.
Ways to get a free government tablet in Missouri
You can get a free tablet in Missouri through the Affordable Connectivity Program(ACP). The Affordable Connectivity Program is a federal government initiative that provides a monthly internet discount of up to $30 per eligible person or household or up to $75 per qualifying household on Tribal lands. Beneficiaries must choose a service provider who will offer them free broadband services. The participating broadband service provider receives the funds directly upon offering the services to eligible consumers.
Additionally, you can get a $100 discount to purchase a laptop, tablet, or desktop through your service provider. That is how you can get a free tablet from the government. However, there is an amount you must contribute that must be between $10-$50 to get the free device.
How to qualify for ACP
A household is eligible for the ACP Program if its income is 200% or lower of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Additionally, you may qualify if you or a household member meets the criteria below.
- Participates in specific aid programs, such as SNAP, Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8 Vouchers), Medicaid, WIC, Project-Based Rental Assistance (PBRA)/202/811, Public Housing, SSI, or Lifeline.
- Participates in the School Breakfast Program or Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch Program, including in the U.S. Department of Agriculture Community Eligibility Provision schools.
- Obtained a Federal Pell Grant within the current award year;
- Participates in Tribal Lands programs such as Tribal TANF, Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Alaska Natives or Native Hawaiians, Affordable Housing Programs for American Indians, or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations.
- Meets the eligibility criteria for any provider’s existing low-income internet program.
Documents needed for ACP application to get a free tablet
The documents needed to get a free government tablet in Missouri are similar to those in other states, although there can be a slight variation. They include the following.
- Qualifying Assistance Program Participation
You can have any of the following documents.
- Benefit award letter
- Benefit verification letter
- School documentation
- Approval letter
- Statement of benefits
- Household Income
If you qualify for ACP through low-income, you may bring one of the following programs.
- Prior year’s federal, state, or Tribal tax return
- A Social Security statement of benefits
- Unemployment/Workers’ Compensation statement of benefits
- Veterans Administration statement of benefits
- Current income statement got from your employer or a paycheck stub
- Divorce decree, child support award, or an equivalent official document showing your income
- A retirement/pension statement of benefits
- Identity Verification
When making your application, you must submit an identity document. The following documents can serve as identification docs.
- A valid government, military, state, or Tribal ID
- Passport
- Certificate of U.S. Citizenship or Naturalization
- Birth Certificate
- U.S. Driver’s license
- Permanent Resident Card or Green Card
- Government assistance program document
- Address
It is also a requirement to provide your current address when applying for the ACP program. The address is necessary because the concerned authorities will use it to send you your tablet or any other device and documents. The following docs can serve as proof of address.
- Driver’s license or other accepted government, state, or Tribal ID
- Utility bill
- Most recent W-2 or tax return
- Mortgage or lease statement
Application for ACP Program
Once you have gathered all the necessary documents, you can apply for the ACP program. You can apply as follows.
- Online application
One of the fastest and most convenient ways to apply for ACP is online. You can begin the application by logging in or creating a new account online. The online application guidelines are available in English and 9 other languages. You must complete an online form and upload the necessary documents when applying online. You can begin by visiting affordableconnectivity.gov and navigating to the “Apply Now” tab.
- Mail application
You can download the program application form and complete all the necessary details. You must also attach and send the required documents to the following address.
ACP Support Center
PO Box 9100
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18773
- Contact your internet company.
The third option you can opt for is asking your internet company whether they participate in the ACP or use the FCC’s online tool to find participating service providers near you. Participating carriers can assist you in applying through their application process, either online or at a physical branch.
ACP application approval
Once you apply, the ACP body will review your application and give a way forward. If you apply online, you may enjoy immediate approval. After the body approves you, they may require additional documents to complete the process. You will then receive your free tablet at your address and benefit from free internet via your service provider.
Bottom line
If living in Missouri, you can get a free government tablet through the Affordable Connectivity Program. The program is among the numerous federal government initiatives to assist the less fortunate people with free devices. You can also benefit from free internet upon qualification. One can qualify for ACP with a low income or participate in specific assistance programs such as WIC, SNAP, and Medicaid.