SPAOA - Single Parents Alliance of America
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How To Get 30 Bucks Off Your Monthly Internet Bill

Avatar photo Roxanne
3 min read

Getting online is essential for everyday tasks. See how you can get $30 off your monthly Internet bill thanks to a new program from the government.

Think of how you use your home Internet connection each day. You probably use it to stay in touch with friends and family. If you now work from home, you’ll need a connection for that too. Do you have kids? They’ll likely use the Internet for some of their school assignments. And everyone in your household may use the Internet for entertainment, shopping, and more.

Since the Internet is so essential, we can no longer consider it a luxury. It’s an expense we must budget for, like rent, utilities, food, etc. How can you make your Internet service more budget-friendly? By applying for a new $30 discount from the Affordable Connectivity Program.

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)

In April of last year, the government passed the Emergency Broadband Benefit program in response to the coronavirus pandemic. With it, families could get as much as a $75 discount on their monthly Internet service. As of March 1, 2022, the Emergency Broadband Benefit no longer exists. However, it won’t disappear entirely as it’s being rebranded into the Affordable Connectivity Program.

With the ACP, the Federal Communications Commission can ensure that low-income households gain accessibility to the Internet service they need for school, work, and other purposes at home. The ACP is a permanent solution for low-income families that represents an investment of $14 billion.

If you qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program, here are the possible benefits you could receive:

  • A maximum $30 monthly discount on your Internet bill ($75 if you live on qualifying Tribal lands).
  • A one-time $100 discount towards the purchase of a tablet or desktop or laptop computer from a participating provider.

While the maximum monthly benefit for non-Tribal customers drops from $50 to $30 as we transition from the Emergency Broadband Benefit to the ACP, that’s still a significant discount that can lead to more wiggle room in your budget.

ACP Eligibility

What does it take to qualify for a $30 monthly discount on your Internet service? There are multiple ways to be eligible:

  1. Your household income is less than 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
  2. You already receive some type of government benefit, such as SNAP, WIC, SSI, public housing, Medicaid, etc.
  3. You or a dependent currently receive benefits from the Lifeline program that offers discounted phone service.
  4. Your child gets free or reduced-price school meals through the National School Lunch Program or the School Breakfast Program.
  5. You received a Federal Pell Grant this year.

If just one of those applies to your situation, you could look forward to monthly Internet that is $30 cheaper.

How To Get ACP Benefits

You can apply for the Affordable Connectivity Program by going here and applying online or printing out your application. Then, contact your participating provider (AT&T, Comcast, Spectrum, T-Mobile, Verizon, etc.) to select a plan so you can get the discount.

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