A new federal program provides assistance to low-income families to offset the monthly cost of internet service and subsidize the purchase of electronic devices. 

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program that helps connect families and households struggling to afford internet service. The ACP provides a monthly service discount on internet service of up to $30 per eligible household (or up to $75 per eligible household on Tribal lands) that will go directly to the participating provider or a one-time discount of up to $100 for one device such as a laptop, tablet or desktop computer (with a co-payment of more than $10, but less than $50) or a low-cost service plan that may be fully covered through the ACP (through a separate non-FCC initiative).

Those that are eligible for the program, must have a household income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or a member of the household meets at least one of the criteria listed below:

-Participates in any of the following assistance programs: SNAP, Medicaid, Federal Public Housing Assistance, Veterans Pension or Survivor Benefits, SSI, WIC or Lifeline;

-Participants in any of the following Tribal specific programs: Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Tribal TANF, Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations or Tribal Head Start (income based);

-Participates in the Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch Program or the School Breakfast Program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision;

-Those who received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year; or

-Those who meet the eligibility criteria for a participating broadband provider’s existing low-income internet program.

There are two steps to enroll in this program: visit www.affordableconnectivity.gov to apply or print a mail-in application, then contact your preferred participating provider to select an eligible plan and have the discount applied to your bill.

For more information, call the ACP Support Center at 877-384-2575 or visit fcc.gov/acp.

Take the first step to enroll in the program