Affordable Broadband Now Available for Qualifying Households

Families can apply for affordable broadband service through the Affordable Connectivity Program.

About the Affordable Connectivity Program

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) benefit program that helps households afford the broadband they need for work, school, healthcare, and more. 

The benefit provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for homes on qualifying Tribal lands.

Eligible families can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price.

The Affordable Connectivity Program is limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount per household.

Who is eligible for ACP benefits?

A household is eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program if the household income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or if a member of the household meets at least one of the criteria below:

  • Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year
  • Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider’s existing low-income internet program
  • Participates in one of these assistance programs:
    • Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch Programs or School Breakfast Programs
    • SNAP
    • Medicaid
  • Federal Housing Assistance, including:
    • HCV Program (Section 8 vouchers)
    • PBRA/Section 202/ Section 811
    • Public Housing
    • Affordable Housing Programs for American Indians, Alaska Natives or Native Hawaiians
    • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
    • WIC
    • Veterans Pension or Survivor Benefits
    • or Lifeline
  • Participates in one of these assistance programs and lives on Qualifying Tribal lands:
    • Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance 
    • Tribal TANF
    • Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
    • Tribal Head Start (income based)
How does the ACP protect consumers?

FCC rules protect Affordable Connectivity Program recipients by:

  • Empowering consumers to choose the service plan that best meets their needs (including a plan they may already be on)
  • Ensuring consumers have access to supported broadband services regardless of their credit status
  • Prohibiting providers from excluding consumers with past due balances or prior debt from enrolling in the program
  • Preventing consumers from being forced into more expensive or lower quality plans in order to receive the ACP
  • Ensuring that consumers are not liable for early termination fees
  • Reducing the potential for bill shock or other financial harms
  • Allowing ACP recipients to switch providers or broadband service offerings
Which Internet Service Providers are participating in the Affordable Connectivity Program?

Various internet providers, including those offering landline and wireless internet service, are participating in the Affordable Connectivity Program.

How do I enroll?

Go to AffordableConnectivity.gov to submit an application or print out a mail-in application.

Contact your preferred participating provider to select a plan and have the discount applied to your bill.

Your library card gives you free access to Wi-Fi

Learn more about the technology available at Parkland Community Library