What Is ACP (Affordable Connectivity Program)?
The ACP is a federal government program that provides a benefit on eligible prepaid wireless service for qualifying households, decreasing your bill by up to $30/mo., or up to $75/mo.
What Are Benefits From ACP?
The benefit provides: A discount of up to
$30/month for internet service (or a discount up to $75/month for households on qualifying Tribal lands); and. A one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet purchased through a participating provider.How do I get $100 off a tablet with ACP?
How to redeem your $100 device credit. Visit the Red Pocket Mobile ACP Shop page for available devices. Select the device you wish to purchase. Enter your enrollment ID for device purchases to apply your $100 discount at checkout.
How can I get a free 5G phone?
In two ways, you can make yourself eligible for a free 5G phone - through income and government assistance programs. Lifeline is one of the particular assistance programs by which you can receive a free 5G smartphone. Several lifeline providers have enlisted themself to provide free phone.
How Does Affordable Connectivity Program Work?
Eligible customers will receive up to $30 per month off home and/or mobile broadband internet services if qualified to participate. Qualified low-income households may apply the ACP benefit to any home and/or mobile broadband internet services available in your area, at the same terms available to households not eligible for ACP, or a household may transfer the ACP benefit to another provider or opt-out of the program at any time and without incurring a termination fee. The ACP benefit can only be used with one provider at a time. If the ACP ends, if you transfer your ACP benefit to another provider but continue to receive broadband internet service on one or more broadband internet plans, or if de-enrolled from the ACP, the full, undiscounted retail rate and general terms and conditions of service apply. The ACP benefit is only available to one qualifying household. A household is any individual or group of individuals who live together at the same address and share income and expenses. If the ACP benefit does not completely cover the cost of your home and/or mobile internet services, you must make monthly payments to your ACP-supported broadband internet services. If you do not make payments due, your ACP-supported home and/or mobile broadband internet services will be disconnected after 90 consecutive days of non-payment.
Who Is eligible for The Affordable Connectivity Program?
Eligible households with active Astound internet service will receive up to $30 off internet service and equipment rental with the ACP discount, if you qualify. A household may qualify based on income, or if enrolled in one of the following government assistance programs: Free or Reduced lunch through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or Free or Reduced school breakfast through the School Breakfast Program Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Federal Public Housing (including Section 8, Multi-family units, and Public Housing Authorities) Pell Grant recipient for current academic year Tribal Programs (and proof of living on tribal lands) including: Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF) Head Start if income qualifying standard met Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations Medicaid Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Veterans Pension & Survivors Benefits Proof income is 200% or less than federal poverty guidelines (three consecutive paystubs or a tax return). Note: You can look up the income maximum for your household at: https://www.affordableconnectivity.gov/do-i-qualify/. https://www.lifeline.mobi/RRQ78Q
How can | determine if I’m eligible and sign up?
You can determine your eligibility with the steps below: Enter your address above to verify you’re in a serviceable area. If serviceable, follow the prompts to continue to the enrollment page to see if you qualify for the ACP benefit. If you qualify, we will contact you by phone to choose your Internet plan. Receive High-Speed Internet Service with the ACP discount if you qualify.
What documentation do I need to qualify for the program funds?
You will be asked to verify your identity and provide documentation for the program qualifications. Confirmation of identity may include using your residential home address and telephone number, mobile phone number, last four digits of your social security number, date of birth, driver’s license, state ID, or passport. Astound will share this information as part of ACP qualification and to the ACP program administrator, as necessary, to ensure the proper administration of the program. Documentation will also be needed to confirm income or participation in an eligible government assistant program.
Can | disconnect my service at any time?
Yes. The ACP does not require an agreement with Astound, there are no early termination fees, and you can disconnect at any time. You can also transfer your ACP benefit to another plan or provider at any time.
How quickly can I get internet installed?
Once your ACP status has been approved, our team will schedule your installation as soon as possible. For some customers this could be next day.
History Of ACP
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a United States government-sponsored program that aims to provide wireless internet for low-income households.[1][2] Several companies have signed on to participate in the program, including Verizon Communications, Frontier Communications, T-Mobile, Spectrum, Cox, AT&T, Xfinity, Optimum and Comcast.[3][4] The program is administered by the Federal Communications Commission.[5][6][7] The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act provides $14.2 billion in funding for $30 subsidies for those with low incomes, and $75 subsidies on tribal lands.[8] History 2021 In 2021, US Congress passed a $1 trillion infrastructure package including $14.2 billion for the Affordable Connectivity Program.[8] The program replaced the Emergency Broadband Benefit program, with $14 billion dedicated to the act.[9] The ACB replaced the EBB on December 31, 2021.[10] When the act was remarked upon by US President Biden on May 9, 2022, close to 40% of American households qualified for assistance, i.e. households or individuals earned twice the poverty level or less.[3] There are higher limits in Hawaii and Alaska.[6] According to NPR, an estimated 48 million Americans qualified, with the plans to provide at least 100 megabits per second of speed for a maximum of $30.[4] One person in the household must participate in government assistance programs, if the household is above 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.[11] Twenty internet providers were initially involved, including regional companies such as Hawaiian Telcom and Jackson Energy Authority in Tennessee.[4] The full list included Allo Communications, Altafiber, Altice USA, Astound, AT&T, Breezeline, Comcast, Comporium, Frontier, IdeaTek, Cox Communications, Jackson Energy Authority, MediaCom, MLGC, Spectrum, Verizon, Vermont Telephone Company, Vexus Fiber, and Wow! Internet, Cable, and TV.[7][8] Aristata Communications joined the program in August 2023.[12] In 2021, Pew Research Center engaged in a study on the act along with the University of Southern California's Annenberg Research Network on International Communications and the California Emerging Technology Fund, looking at uptake and impact in California.[13] 2022-2023 Separate from the ACP, United States Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper introduced the $45 billion Internet for All initiative in Durham, North Carolina on May 13, 2022. The Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program is to provide each state with $5 million for planning and $100 million for expansion, with states having a greater need receiving more money. The legislature of each state must approve.[14] Funding is also provided by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.[8] A Pew study released in February 2023 about the ACP stated that enrollment difficulties presented difficulties for eligible households, with 45 percent of applicants rejected, and others giving up on the applications before they were submitted. Data sharing limitations between agencies was also described a limiting factor for uptake.[15] On February 27, 2023, the White House announced 16 million households were "saving $500 million per year" due to the program.[16] By July 2023, there were 1,300 internet providers participating in the ACP, although not all provided the discounted device benefit.[17] In July 2023, a study showed about 14% of the United States was enrolled in the program.[18] As of July 31, 2023, 19.8 million households had signed up for the ACP, with 2.8 million of them in rural counties.[9] By August 2023, there were reports the program would run out of money by 2024.[9] By mid-2024, according to an analysis by 'The Hill', federal funds available to pay for the program will be depleted, although the federal government "may" continue funding.[17] On August 3, 2023, it was reported that the subsidy would increase to $75/hr month for people in 'high-cost' areas. Congress instructed the NTIA to identify high-cost areas and consult on the matter with the FCC.[9] Qualifications According to the FCC website in August 2023, "The benefit provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price."[19] Those receiving various federal benefits are also eligible, including SSI, Pell grants, discounted school meals, Medicaid, WIC assistance, food stamps, VA Survivors Pension, and VA Veterans Pension.[6] Others included Federal Public Housing.[8] The program applied a discount on a monthly basis for participating companies.[7] Other factors for eligibility included being in specific Tribal programs such as Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Tribal TANF and Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations.[20]
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