Eligibility

Who is eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program?

A household is eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program if the household income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or if a member of the household meets at least one of the criteria below:

• Participates in certain assistance programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid, Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program (Section 8 Vouchers), Project-Based Rental Assistance (PBRA)/202/811, Public Housing, SSI, WIC, or Lifeline;

• Participates in Tribal specific programs, such as Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Tribal TANF, Affordable Housing Programs for American Indians, Alaska Natives or Native Hawaiians, or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations;

• Participates in the Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program, including at U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Community Eligibility Provision schools.

• Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year; or

• Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider's existing low-income internet program.

Can I apply for the Affordable Connectivity Program if I have a past due balance with the provider?

Yes, eligible consumers with a past due balance or a balance in collections are eligible for the benefit.

Can I sign up for the Affordable Connectivity Program if I am already a customer or if I was a customer in the past?

Yes, the benefit is available to eligible new, prior and existing customers of participating providers.

Can my roommate and I each get a monthly discount?

The Affordable Connectivity Program is limited to one monthly service discount per household, which is defined as any individual or group of individuals who are living together at the same address and share income and expenses. Click here to learn more about what is a household.

What is Lifeline and how do I qualify?

Lifeline is the FCC's program to help make communications services more affordable for low-income consumers. To participate in the Lifeline program, consumers must either have an income that is at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines or participate in certain federal assistance programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicaid, Federal Public Housing Assistance, Supplemental Security Income, the Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit, or certain Tribal Programs.

If I already receive Lifeline benefits will I automatically receive the Affordable Connectivity Program?

No. You must opt-in with your existing provider or request enrollment in the Affordable Connectivity Program with a participating internet provider and chose an eligible service plan. You can choose to receive the benefit from your current Lifeline service provider or another participating provider.

Can I receive both the Affordable Connectivity Program and Lifeline benefits at the same time?

Yes. You can also combine these benefits with other state and local benefits where available. They can be applied to the same qualifying service or separately to a Lifeline service and an Affordable Connectivity Program service with the same or different providers. For example, an eligible household could have a Lifeline-supported mobile phone service and a separate home internet service that is supported through the Affordable Connectivity Program.

Everyone at my child's school receives breakfast and lunch at no cost. Do we qualify?

A household may enroll in the Affordable Connectivity Program if its school participates in the Community Eligibility Provision or the household separately applied for and has been approved for benefits in the free and reduced price school lunch program or school breakfast program. If a school is offering lunch or breakfast free to all students regardless of income based on a program other than the Community Eligibility Provision - such as through COVID-19 waivers extending the Seamless Summer Option (SSO) or Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) - then the household would not be eligible through the free and reduced price school lunch program or school breakfast program by virtue of an extension of the SSO or SFSP.

I live in a multi-unit dwelling (for example, an apartment building) and we pay the property manager/landlord a monthly fee for our internet. Can I get the Affordable Connectivity Program benefit?

Yes. If you qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program, talk to your property manager/landlord and ask that they work with their internet service provider to learn more about the benefits that might be available to you and other eligible residents.

I previously participated in a provider's low-income program, but I am no longer enrolled in that program. Does my past participation in that program qualify me for the Affordable Connectivity Program?

Check with the provider for more information about whether you qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program.

Will I be able to use the service and the device if I have a disability?

The services and devices will be accessible to and usable by people with disabilities. If you have any concerns about whether your internet service and equipment is accessible, contact the FCC's Disability Rights office at 202-418-2517 for a voice phone call, at 844-432-2275 by videophone, or by email at [e-mail].