Get $30 ACP Internet Credit (Eligibility and Application)

Did you know that you can qualify to receive a discount on your monthly internet bill? Yes, it’s true! The $30 ACP internet credit provides low-income households with discounted internet service!

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) helps eligible households pay for the internet service needed for work, school, healthcare and more.

Your household may be eligible to receive a $30 monthly internet credit if you currently participate in a government assistance program (such as food stamps) or meet the income requirements.

To learn more about the Affordable Connectivity Program, including if you qualify and how to apply, then continue reading below.

In this article, we will cover:

• What is the Affordable Connectivity Program?
• Qualifications for the $30 ACP Internet Credit
• ACP Income Requirements
• How to Apply for the ACP Internet Discount
• Documents Needed to Apply
• After you Apply –  Verification Documentation

What is the Affordable Connectivity Program?

The Affordable Connectivity Program is a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program that helps ensure that households can afford the broadband they need for work, school, healthcare and more.

The ACP replaces the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBB) that helped families and households struggling to afford internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic.

To learn more about the Affordable Connectivity Program, including recent changes made to the program, read our complete article on Discounted Internet for EBT Cardholders.

$30 ACP Internet Credit Eligibility

If you are currently receiving benefits from another government assistance program such as SNAP EBT, you may automatically qualify for the $30 internet credit. To learn more, continue reading below.

ACP Government Assistance Qualifications

ACP Tribal Assistance Program

If you live on qualifying Tribal lands, you can get an increased ACP internet credit through the enhanced tribal benefit program. ACP Tribal Benefit recipients can get up to a $75 per month credit on their internet service.

To qualify, your household income must be at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Additionally, you can also qualify if you or someone in your household participates in:

• Any of the federal assistance programs listed above
• Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) General Assistance
• Head Start Program (only households meeting the income qualifications)
• Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF)
• Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)

Please note, you will be asked to provide proof of participation in any of the programs listed above. To learn more about the enhanced Tribal Benefit through the Affordable Connectivity Program, click here.

If You Already Receive a Lifeline Benefit

The third way you can qualify for a monthly internet credit is through the Lifeline Program. If you already receive a Lifeline benefit for discounted monthly phone service, you can automatically qualify for the $30 ACP internet credit.

You will be able to receive both the Lifeline phone and ACP internet credit at the same time.

Additionally, you can apply for the ACP internet benefit through the same or separate company you are using for the Lifeline Program.

Contact your internet company directly to learn more about adding the ACP internet discount.

To learn more about the Lifeline Program for discounted phone service, read our article here.

ACP Application Information

If you believe you qualify for the $30 ACP Internet Credit based on the eligibility standards listed above, your next step is to submit your application.

If you wish to apply apply for the ACP internet credit, you will be asked to provide the following information:

• You full legal name
• Phone Number
• Date of Birth
• Email Address
• Social Security Number
• Home & Mailing Address
• Information for Household Members
• Household Income
• Government Assistance Information (if applicable)

Be sure to have this information ready prior to completing your application for discounted internet.

How to Apply for the $30 ACP Internet Credit

There are three ways to apply for discounted internet through the Affordable Connectivity Program – online, by mail, and through your local internet provider.

We will walk you through the step-by-step process on how to apply using each of the three methods below.

Already a Lifeline participant?

Contact your internet company directly to enroll! You do not need to apply again to receive the $30 ACP internet credit.

Option #1 – Apply Online

The quickest and easiest way to apply for the ACP internet credit is online. To complete your application online, visit the ACP Application page on the Check Lifeline website or go to ACPBenefit.org.

Complete the information and proceed to login or create a Lifeline online account.

Option #2 – Submit your Application by Mail

The second option for completing the ACP Application is by mail. To submit your application for the $30 internet credit, print out the application here.

Once you’ve completed your application and Household Worksheet, mail both to the ACP Support Center.

Mail your completed ACP Application to:

ACP Support Center
PO Box 7081
London, KY 40742

To ensure faster application processing, be sure to include copies of your verification documents.

Option #3 – Contact your Internet Provider

The last way to apply for the ACP internet discount is directly through your internet provider. If you already have an internet provider, contact them to see if they participate in the Affordable Connectivity Program.

Additionally, you can use this online tool to find an ACP provider near you.

If you are already enrolled and participating in the Lifeline Program for discounted phone service, contact your provider to take advantage of the ACP internet discount.

Congratulations! You’ve now successfully submitted your application to receive a monthly $30 internet credit!

If you apply online, you may receive an immediate approval. If your eligibility can not be approved automatically, you will receive an email or letter requesting additional documentation.

To learn more about the verification documentation, continue reading below.

After you Apply for ACP Internet Credit

After you apply for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) benefit, you may be asked to provide some additional information, such as verification documentation. This information is used to confirm your eligibility, identity, or address on your ACP internet credit application.

You may be asked to confirm any or all of the following items:

• Your identity
• Residence/Address
• Household income
• Household members
• Government Assistance Enrollment

Below, we will walk you through what information you will be asked to provide for each, as well as approved documents. This will help to ensure your application for discounted internet is approved.

Identity Verification Documents

If you qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program, you may be asked to submit documentation to verify your identity.

Documentation must include your:

1. First name
2. Last name
3. Date of Birth

Some examples of approved ACP identity verification documents include:

• A valid government, military, state or Tribal ID
• Birth Certificate
• U.S. Driver’s License or Passport
• Certificate of U.S. Citizenship or Naturalization
• Permanent Resident Card or Green Card
• Government assistance program document
• Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) document

[the_ad id=”1225″]

Address Verification Documents

If you qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program, you may be asked to submit documentation to verify your address and place of residence.

Documentation must include your:

1. First name
2. Last name
3. Physical Address

Some examples of approved ACP address verification documents include:

• A valid government, military, state or Tribal ID
• U.S. Driver’s License
• Previous month’s utility bill
• Mortgage or lease statement
• Most recent W-2 or tax return

Income Verification Documents

If you qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program through your income, you will need to provide a verification document. This document serves as proof that your annual income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG).

You must provide this information in order to receive the $30 internet credit.

Documentation must include your:

1. First name
2. Last name
3. Annual household income

Some examples of approved ACP income verification documents include:

• Prior year’s state, federal, or Tribal tax return
• Current income statement from your employer
• Last three consecutive paycheck stubs
• A Social Security statement of benefits
• Veterans Administration statement of benefits
• Unemployment or Worker’s Compensation statement of benefits
• Divorce decree, child support award, or a similar official document
• A retirement/pension statement of benefits

[the_ad id=”3871″]

Government Assistance Verification Documents

If you qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program because you are participating in a government assistance program, you may be asked to provide a verification document. This document serves as proof of your enrollment in a qualifying government assistance program (listed above).

You must provide this information in order to receive the $30 internet credit.

If you are currently participating in a qualifying government assistance program (listed above), you may be asked to provide proof of your benefits. This may include an enrollment letter or official document.

ACP verification documentation must include:

1. Your first and last name.
2. Name of the program, such an SNAP.
3. Name of the Document Issuer, such as the government, Tribal entity, program administrator, school, school district, university, or college.
4. An issue date of the last 12 months or a future expiration date.

For participants of the Free and Reduced Price School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program documents can be from any of the following school years:

• 2019-2020
• 2020-2021
• 2021-2022
• 2022-2023

For Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) school participants, acceptable documents must confirm the student’s enrollment in a CEP school for the 2019-20, 2020-21, or 2021-22 school year. This can include a report card or letter that shows the name of both the student and school.

For Federal Pell Grants awardees, documents should be from the current academic year and can include screenshots of the StudentAid.gov dashboard

Some examples of approved verification documents for government assistance include:

• Benefit award letters
• Approval letters
• Statement of benefits
• Benefit verification letters

Comments

comments