Government Assistance Program
What is the Affordable Connectivity Program?
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is the Federal Communications Commission’s program which was launched on December 31st 2021, replacing the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) program, which brings connectivity to low-income Americans. This is a supplemental plan that is separate from the US Government’s Lifeline Program.
The program is administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), operated by Federal Communications Commission (FCC) & is funded by the U.S Government.
ACP Eligible Programs
A consumer can qualify for the ACP benefit if their income is 200% or less than the federal poverty guidelines, has no income, or if they participate in certain government programs such as:
Lifeline
SNAP /Food Stamps
Medicaid
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
Veterans & Survivors Pension Benefit
WIC
Pell Grant
Free & Reduced-Price Lunch
Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
Tribally-Administered Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)
Tribal Head Start
Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)
ACP Rules:
You must use your FREE ACP service at least once every 30 days or it will be terminated.
The ACP benefit is non-transferrable.
Only eligible consumers may enroll in the ACP program.
Proof of eligibility is required to enroll.
Only one ACP benefit is permitted per household.
Only one-time connected device discount is permitted per household and is subject to a $10.01 co-pay.
What about the customers who enrolled in Emergency Broadband Benefit Program?
After the transition period, your benefits will automatically be transferred to the new Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).
This program replaces the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) which transitions to the ACP on December 30th of 2021 at 6:00 p.m. EST. A 60-day transition period applies to those customers enrolled in the EBB to continue to receive their benefits. This period ends on March 1, 2022, and at that time subscribers will transition to ACP benefits. Subscribers will receive additional information, if any action is needed, to retain their benefits.
ACP Discontinuance
The FCC has annournced the end of the ACP and if participating, you will revert to receive only the standard FREE Lifeline plan where available and if you are eligible one the program officially ends. Where Lifeline plans are not available or if you are not eligible, you may keep your service by selecting from one of our existing prepaid plans and paying the applicable undiscounted rate plus applicable fees and taxes. Our standard terms and conditions apply.