Here's How to Qualify for Free High-Speed Internet

Published on Sept. 4, 2022

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KEY POINTS

Congress recently passed the Affordable Connectivity Program to make it easier for households across the country to have access to the internet.
The final monthly cost of internet service will depend on how large a discount the recipient is eligible to receive and the specific internet plan they choose.

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Thanks to the Affordable Connectivity Program, millions of Americans will have access to high-speed internet.

Recently, a surprising number of programs have made it through Congress. One of these programs is the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which aims to provide wireless internet to low-income households. Verizon, Frontier Communications, AT&T, Comcast, and Spectrum have already signed on to participate.

What's included?

Recipients will receive a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service. Households on qualifying Tribal lands can receive up to $75 per month. In addition, eligible households may receive a $100 discount on the purchase of a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from a participating provider. Given the cost of sending a child to school, helping to pay for a computer may be one of the best perks associated with ACP.

Eligibility

You're eligible to receive assistance from the ACP if you:

Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year
Participate in one of the following assistance programs:

SNAP

Medicaid

Federal Public Housing Assistance

The National School Lunch Program or the School Breakfast Program (including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision)

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

WIC

Veterans Pension or Survivor Benefits

Lifeline

For those who live on qualifying Tribal lands, you're eligible if you receive or participate in:

Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance

Tribal TANF

Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations

Tribal Head Start

Also eligible are:

Those who meet the eligibility criteria for one of the participating provider's existing low-income programs.
Any household at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (as long as a household member meets at least one of the requirements listed above). This table shows the current income thresholds:

Household size	48 Contiguous States, D.C., and Territories	Alaska	Hawaii
1	$27,180	$33,260	$31,260
2	$36,620	$45,780	$42,120
3	$46,060	$57,580	$52,980
4	$55,500	$69,380	$63,840
5	$64,940	$81,180	$74,700
6	$74,380	$92,980	$85,560
7	$83,820	$104,780	$96,420
8	$93,260	$116,580	$107.280
For each additional person, add:	$9,440	$11,800	$10,860

Data source: Affordable Connectivity Program

How to enroll

Applying for ACP is easy, involving only two steps:

Go to AffordableConnectivity.gov to submit an online application.
Contact a participating provider to select an internet plan and apply the discount to your bill.

Here's a list of participating providers in your area. Depending on the size of the discount you receive and the plan you choose, ACP could result in free or low-cost internet service. Either way, that's more money in the bank for you each month.

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Our Research Expert

Dana George

Dana is a full-time personal finance writer, with more than two decades of experience. Her focus is on helping readers feel less alone as they navigate their personal finances and offering actionable insights.

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