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Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) Helping Low-Income Households with Internet Costs

On January 1 the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) launched the Affordable Connectivity Program or ACP to replace the Emergency Broadband Benefit program. The new program is a long-term benefit to help low-income households afford the internet for work, school, health care and more. It also increased eligibility and the internet offerings that are available. This was approved as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) created by Congress. 
 
The ACP provides a subsidy of up to $30 per month for internet service to 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 a small contribution ($10-$50) is made toward the purchase price.  

Enrollment in the ACP is now open at www.ACPBenefit.org for households with at least one member qualifying under any of the following criteria: 

  • Has an income that is at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines
  • Participates in certain assistance programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid, Federal Public Housing Assistance, SSI, WIC, or Lifeline
  • Participates in Tribal specific programs, such as Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Tribal TANF, or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations. 
  • Is approved to receive benefits under the free and reduced-price school lunch program or the school breakfast program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision. 
  • Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year; or 
  • Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider’s existing low-income program. 

On March 1, most legacy Emergency Broadband Benefit households should be automatically transitioned to the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).  Households that need to take action to remain enrolled in the ACP should have been contacted by USAC, the program administrator, or their internet provider.   

Since the new ACP benefit is being reduced to $30 from $50, anyone who was enrolled for more than $30, should contact their provider if they are concerned about a possible increase in their monthly service bill or are interested in changing to a different service plan.  

Over 10 million households were enrolled in the Benefit Program and almost 167,000 in Washington State as of mid-February. However, there are thousands of eligible households in our area who could still be taking advantage of the monthly financial help that the ACP offers.  

These Seattle-area organizations are offering help signing up for internet and the Affordable Connectivity Program subsidy:  

  • The Central Area Senior Center 
    • 500 30th Ave. S 
    • Seattle, WA 
    • 206.726.4926 
  • The Chinese Information & Service Center (CISC) 
    • 611 S Lane St. 
    • Seattle, WA 98104 
    • 206.624.5633 
  • Seattle Housing Authority (SHA) communities 
    • At Yesler: Multimedia Resources & Training Institute 
    • 808 Fir St. Unit #135; phone: (206) 696-1381; E-Mail: Info@MMRTISeattle.org; http://mmrtiseattle.org 
    • For other SHA sites contact Maria Ursua at maria.ursua@seattlehousing.org 
  • El Centro de la Raza 
    • 611 S Lane St 
    • Seattle, WA 98104 
    • 206.717.5633 

Computers at Seattle Public Library computers are also available for use to scan in documents and to apply for the internet subsidy and programs. A limited number of computers with internet access are available on a first-come, first-served basis and are open Monday through Sunday during time-limited public sessions from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with closed cleaning breaks between public sessions. Check Library locations  https://www.spl.org/hours-and-locations/ 

Help spread the word about this important support program for low-income households! The FCC offers outreach materials to download and customize.  

Quick Links 
ACP Application Link www.ACPBenefit.org 
FCC’s ACP Page   www.fcc.gov/acp 
Application Questions:   ACPSu…@usac.org or 1-877-384-2575 
Request a Speaker   ACPsp…@fcc.gov  
ACP Outreach Toolkit   https://www.fcc.gov/acp-consumer-outreach-toolkit