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Affordable Connectivity Program Provides Relief to Families
Effective February 7, 2024, the Affordable Connectivity Program is no longer accepting new enrollment.
What Is the Affordable Connectivity Program?
The Affordable Connectivity Program, a $14 billion, long-term internet aid, was passed by Congress to replace the Emergency Broadband Benefit. The greatest difference between the two governmental benefit programs is the monetary benefit given to qualified households.
Under the Emergency Broadband Benefit, households could receive $50 per month for internet, or $75 if the household lived on Tribal lands, as well as a one-time discount on the purchase of an internet-connected device.
Under the new Affordable Connectivity Program, which is now available for application, most qualified households will receive $30 per month, while qualified households on Tribal lands will continue to receive $75 per month. The device discount remains unchanged between the two programs.
Affordable Connectivity Program Requirements
The new, updated eligibility guidelines for Affordable Connectivity Program are listed below.
As with the Emergency Broadband Benefit, only one member of a household needs to meet only one criterion from the list below to be eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program.
- Income that is at or below 200%of the federal poverty guidelines;
- Participant in certain assistance programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid, Federal Public Housing Assistance, SSI, WIC, or Lifeline;
- Participant in Tribal specific programs, such as Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Tribal TANF, or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations;
- Recipient of benefits under the free and reduced-price school lunch program or the school breakfast program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision in the 2019-2020, 2020-2021, or 2021-2022 school year;
- Recipient of Federal Pell Grant during the current award year; or
- Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating internet service provider's existing low-income program.
Again, qualifying households for the Affordable Connectivity Program will receive either $30 or $75 per month on internet service discounts and a $100, one-time discount towards a new internet-connected device.
What Is the Affordable Connectivity Program?
The Affordable Connectivity Program, a $14 billion plan, was passed by Congress to improve internet connectivity and infrastructure across the country. This specific program is designed to alleviate the cost of internet service for the families and homes that need it most. This includes direct discounts on internet service and also one-time discounts on computer devices.
The program aims to connect disadvantaged households with employment opportunities, healthcare services, virtual learning and work environments and more.
How to Apply for the Affordable Connectivity Program
You can apply for the Affordable Connectivity Program in a few different ways.
- Submit an online application
- Mail in physical application
- Call National Broadband
The first is by accessing the Affordable Connectivity Program online portal which became available on January 1, 2022. You can apply online and then come back to National Broadband to set up your service.
The next way is by printing out a physical application and mailing it to the official Affordable Connectivity Program office at:
ACP Support Center
PO Box 7081
London, KY 40742
The last way to apply for the Affordable Connectivity Program is by calling National Broadband and letting one of our experienced agents guide you through the process start to finish.
Available Discounts Through Affordable Connectivity Program
There are a few different discounts on internet service and related technologies that are available for eligible households.
These discounts include:
- $30 per month towards broadband internet service
- $75 per month towards broadband internet service if household resides on qualifying Tribal lands
- $100, one-time discount towards the purchase of an online device (including a laptop, desktop computer or tablet) as long as household contributes more than $10 and less than $50 towards purchase, though this varies by provider
Affordable Connectivity Program is capped at one monthly service discount and one device discount per household.
Internet Service Providers Participating in Affordable Connectivity Program
Most major internet service providers are participating in the program. Viasat and HughesNet, two leading satellite internet providers, are not participating. The table below shows the major providers participating in the program and whether or not they are also offering the one-time $100 device discount.
Note that the table is not comprehensive and does not mention every internet service provider that is participating.
| Provider | Monthly Service Discount | One-Time $100 Device Discount | Monthly Price After $50 EBB Discount (100-300 Mbps Download) |
|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T | Yes | No | Free |
| CenturyLink | Yes | No | Free |
| Cox | Yes | Yes | $10 |
| Frontier | Yes | No | Free |
| Mediacom | Yes | No | Free |
| Optimum | Yes | No | Free |
| Spectrum | Yes | No | Free |
| Suddenlink | Yes | No | Free |
| Verizon | Yes | No | Free |
| Windstream | Yes | Yes | Free |
| Xfinity | Yes | No | Free |
You can call National Broadband today to learn more about the Affordable Connectivity Program and to also learn about other internet discounts that may be available at your address.
Frequently asked questions
Can National Broadband help me sign up for ACP discounts?
National Broadband's knowledgeable internet experts can sign help you receive the discounts for which your household may qualify. Call now to see if you qualify. If you do not qualify, our team can still help you find internet and TV discounts at your address.
Can I get discounted internet with the Affordable Connectivity Program?
Yes, your internet can be discounted each month for the longevity of Affordable Connectivity Program funding. Your internet service provider should notify you in advance of the program end date.
Can you sign up for Affordable Connectivity Program with your current internet service provider?
Yes, applicants who are under contract with an internet service provider can receive the ACP with that provider, if the provider is participating in the program.
Are all internet service providers participating in Affordable Connectivity Program?
Most major ISPs except for Viasat and HughesNet are participating.
How much money can you save with the Affordable Connectivity Program?
Households can receive either $30 or $75 off monthly internet service and some providers are also accepting $100 one-time discounts on connected devices, including personal computers and tablets, under certain conditions. Call National Broadband today to get a better idea of what your household could save. This means your household could save hundreds of dollars on internet service.
