Affordable Connectivity Program

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program that replaces the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBB Program) to help low-income households pay for internet service and connected devices. The existing EBB plan will stay in effect through the end of February 2022. There will be an automatic conversion to the new Affordable Connectivity Plan for those that are eligible for both plans.  If your household is eligible, you can receive:

• Up to a $30/month discount on your internet service (reduced from $50 discount in EBB)
• Up to a $75/month discount if your household is on qualifying Tribal lands
• A one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer (with a co-payment of more than $10 but less than $50)

Only one monthly service discount and one device discount is allowed per household. To receive the connected device discount, consumers need to enroll in the ACP with a participating provider that offers connected devices (Note: not all internet company offer device discounts.) The internet company will provide the discount to the consumer. The new plan requires Internet Service Providers to allow households to apply the $30 discount to any broadband product at the same price and terms available to other customers. The ACP rules also prohibit requiring customers to sign long-term contracts to get the discount.  

There is no set ending for the plan, and if not renewed, would expire when the $14.2 billion of funding has been spent.  

How can you qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP):

Based on your household income

If you or your child or dependent participate in certain government assistance programs such as SNAP, Medicaid, WIC, or other programs

If you or your child or dependent already receives a Lifeline benefit

• Lifeline is a Federal Communications Commission program to help make communications services more affordable for low-income consumers. If you currently receive a Lifeline benefit, you automatically qualify for the ACP, and you can receive both benefits at the same time. You can apply your ACP benefit and your Lifeline benefit to the same or separate services. Talk to your internet company to learn how to start receiving ACP discounts.

** If your income is 200% or less than the Federal Poverty Guidelines (follow link to detailed income levels- https://acpbenefit.org/do-i-qualify/

(Increased from 135% in EBB)

ASL video for ACP

Need Help With the ACP?

If you need to talk to someone about your eligibility or application status, call the ACP Support Center at (877) 384-2575.

ACP Consumer Outreach Toolkit

Lifeline Program 

The Lifeline Program is a federal program that lowers the monthly cost of phone or internet service.  Eligible customers will get up to $9.25 toward their bill.  You can only use Lifeline for either phone or internet, but not both. 

Lifeline does not currently have an expiration date.

Eligibility

• A household is eligible if a member of the household meets one of the criteria below:
• Has an income that is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or participates in assistance programs such as SNAP, Medicaid, or Lifeline
• Approved to receive 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 or 2020-2021 school year.
• Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year.
• Experienced a substantial loss of income due to job loss or furlough since February 29, 2020, and the household had a total income in 2020 at or below $99,000 for single filers and $198,000 for joint filers.
• Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider’s existing low-income or COVID-19 program.

Signing Up For Lifeline

• Apply online

• Mail-in your application and send proof of eligibility to:

Lifeline Support Center

P.O. Box 7081

London, KY 40742

• Contact a phone or internet company

Ohio Internet Companies

Visit https://www.highspeedinternet.com/oh to find internet providers in your area.