Do I Qualify
Your households have new ways to qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program such as: receiving WIC benefits or having an income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines:
- Qualifies for Affordable Connectivity Program benefits through participation in SNAP, Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income, Federal Public Housing Assistance, or Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit.
- Participates in one of several Tribal specific programs: Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Tribal Head Start (only households meeting the relevant income qualifying standard), Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF), Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
- Received a federal Pell Grant in the current award year
- Received approval for 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
Only one free monthly service discount and one device discount is allowed per household. Program rules acknowledge there may be more than one eligible household residing at the same address.
Qualify Through Your Child or Dependent
Any member of your household can make your household eligible. For example, if your child or dependent participates in the Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch Program, your household qualifies for the Free Internet Benefit.
If You Already Receive Lifeline Benefits
Lifeline is a program to help make communications services more affordable for low-income consumers. If you currently receive Lifeline benefits, Medicaid, you automatically qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program, and you can receive both benefits at the same time. You can apply your Free Internet Benefit and your Lifeline benefit to the same or separate services.
If You Use SNAP, Medicaid, or Other Programs
You can receive the Free Internet Benefit if you (or someone in your household) participates in one of these federal assistance programs:
Tribal Specific Programs:
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance,
- Tribal Head Start (only households meeting the relevant income qualifying standard),
- Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF)
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as Food Stamps
- Medicaid
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
- Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program, including at US Department of Agriculture Community Eligibility Provision schools
Received a Federal Pell Grant in the current award year
You may need to show a card, letter, or official document as proof that you participate in one of these programs when you apply for the Free Internet Benefit.
If Your Household Income Is a Certain Amount
You can get the Affordable Connectivity Program if your income is 200% or less than the federal poverty guidelines. The guideline is based on your household size and state.
You will have to show proof of income, like pay stubs or a tax return, when you apply for the Free Internet Program.
