The new federal program provides a once-in-a-lifetime discount of $100 on the purchase of desktop, laptop or tablet.
New federal programs to xfinity emergency broadband benefit is set to provide an annual discount of $30 for low-income households who purchase the highest speed Internet connections.
The Affordable Connectivity Program was launched on January 1 and replaced the Emergency Broadband Benefit, which expires on March 1st and offers the monthly discount that could reach $50.
The new federal program offers an exclusive discount of $100 towards the purchase of laptops, desktops, or tablet.
The brand new $14.2 billion plan was part of the bipartisan infrastructure bill that was signed by the president Joe Biden in November.
Visit https://acpbenefit.org to apply for the benefit. Households are only eligible for one discount per month and discounts to purchase computers.
People who currently receive emergency broadband benefits will be able to continue receiving the benefits until February. However, they must re-enroll into the new program in order to keep receiving the benefits. For more information, visit fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit .
The following requirements need to meet: an annual income that is not more than 200 percent from the poverty level which is $26,500 for a household of four, and participation in anti-poverty initiatives, including the food stamp program, Medicaid and housing aid and programs for women, infants and children. Women, Infants, and Children nutrition program; access breakfasts for free or at a reduced cost or lunches, receive the government Pell Grant; or qualify for the existing low-income programs.
ABOUT THE AFFORDABLE CONNECTIVITY PROGRAM
The FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program makes sure that consumers are able to afford the broadband they require for school, work as well as health and wellness.
The program offers discounts of as much as $30 per month on Internet services for low-income households or up to $75 per month to families who reside on tribal land. Families also get an immediate discount of upto $100 to purchase desktops, laptops or a tablet from participating vendors , if they contribute greater than $10 and less than $50 towards the cost of purchase.
The Affordable Connectivity Program is restricted to a single monthly discount and one device discount per household.
WHICH HOUSEHOLDS MEET THE CRITERIA?
A household is enriched members who meet at minimum some of the requirements:
You earn that is less than 200% of minimum federal guidelines for poverty.
Participate in specific aid programs, including SNAP, Medicaid, Federal Public Housing Assistance, SSI, WIC, or Lifeline.
Participate in tribal programs that are specific to your tribe for example, those offered by the Office of General Assistance for Indian Affairs, Tribal TANF and The Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations.
You have been approved to be eligible for benefits under the school’s free or reduced-price breakfast or lunch program, as well as through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision for the 2020-2021, 2019-202020 or 2021-2022 year of school.
Received the Federal Pell Grant during the current year of award.
You are eligible for participation in the existing low-income program.
TWO STEPS TO ENROL
Go to ACPBenefit.org to sign up online or fill out a paper form to send.
Contact the provider you are a member of to choose a plan and then apply this discount on your account. Be aware that certain providers might have an alternative application form that they’ll require you to fill in.
WHICH INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDERS ARE PARTICIPATING IN THE AFFORDABLE CONNECTIVITY PROGRAM?
Many broadband providers, including those that provide wireless and fixed broadband, participate in the Affordable Connectivity Program. You can find the list of those broadband services who offer the benefits in your region.
The federally-funded Internet Discount Program (ACP) gives an optimum 30 percent discount per month for high-speed home Internet for eligible households. The cost of Internet service is available between $10 and $30 per month. So once the discount has been used, your the home Internet might be available for absolutely free.
The benefit is expected to last for 4-5 years. People who have mobile Lifeline benefits are also able to receive ACP benefits.
Consumers who are eligible may be eligible to receive:
Discounts of up to $30 per month on home internet service provided by the service providers.
The monthly limit is $75 for those living in tribal land.
One-time discounts of upto $100 on buying a laptop computer or tablet (offered in California by Human-I-T when you sign up for a broadband).
The steps to be taken to claim the benefits
Step 1:
You can determine if you are eligible to participate in The Internet Discount Program (ACP). Check if your household falls into one of the categories listed below that are eligible.
For more information , follow them on their Twitter page.
