The Affordable Connectivity Program Can Help SSI Recipients Get Internet Access
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: May 25, 2022
Internet access is now necessary for work, school, healthcare, and more. However, for many households, it remains unaffordable. The Federal Communications Commission wants everyone to access reasonably priced internet services. We recently launched a new program to reduce the cost of getting online.
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) provides a discount of up to:
- $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households.
- $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands.
Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 toward purchasing a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers. To qualify for this one-time discount, households must contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price.
You can learn more about applying for ACP – and see if you’re eligible for the discounts – on the ACP website.
Any household with an individual who receives Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is eligible to receive discounted internet service through the ACP. Social Security doesn’t count ACP assistance as income or a resource for SSI purposes. Receipt of this assistance will not affect your SSI payment. You may also be eligible, if your household participates in other assistance programs, such as:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
- Medicaid.
- Federal Public Housing Assistance.
- Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).
- Lifeline.
If you don’t receive SSI or participate in another qualifying assistance program, you may also be eligible if your household income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
There are additional ways to qualify. Go to our Affordable Connectivity Program page to learn more and apply. If you have questions, you’ll find a consumer FAQ that can help, along with a list of participating internet service providers sorted by state.
Cost shouldn’t be a barrier to getting online. Being connected can help you find job opportunities and access telehealth services, saving you time and transportation costs. And with affordable internet services, students no longer need to rely on public Wi-Fi hotspots to do their homework or for distance learning.
As of February 2022, more than 10 million households have already enrolled in the ACP program. That’s an exciting threshold, but we know many more eligible households that are not yet enrolled. Please help us spread the word about ACP with your families, friends, neighbors, and co-workers.
For more information about the program, please email ACPinfo@fcc.gov or call 877-384-2575.
The ACP helps close the digital divide.
Tags: People Facing Barriers, Social Security benefits, SSI, supplemental security income
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Kathy B.
I signed up for the internet and was approved. However when it came down to the equipment cost it was $200 which I didn’t have so I opted to rent. Bring my bill up to the regular cost of monthly internet! If I could afford to pay full price I wouldn’t have applied for the help! After talking with my landlord he is paying the exact amount for his internet that includes the monthly equipment rental fee. So where does it help me??????? Someone within the fcc who offered the help with internet needs to look into the practices of these internet providers. They are exploiting is does this not fall under price gouging? I would think so.
TONY C.
I opted for the phone service with Qlink and they sent me a crappy phone and a crappy tablet both of which I discarded and bought a nice android phone. Q link provides free unlimited calls, texts and data. I pay my internet seperate.
Sharlene R.
I applied for the program through my phone service and was approved but I have to this day or dates to receive any discounts at all .And I was not even told about the $ 100 towards a tablet or anything else
Rob
My ISP is not listed and the owner got millions in free grant money to expand service,so that’s how it works and always will.No benefit for me.Look on the bright side he’s building a big new house.
TONY C.
You can instead sign up for a free phone service, unlimited calls texts and data with Q link. They send a crap phone but if you buy your own the service is free. I think phone service is worth more than 30$ off your internet anyway.
Jose D.
Very important this days fill application, jobs and many things but many is not very savvy on computer.
About C.
Wow!
Phil
Why does our federal government give tribal land households more than they do to households of citizens? Shouldn’t the dollar amounts at least be the same?
Bobbijo
They also send benefits over seas.
Johnny
Have you ever been on tribal lands , you really need to explore that question for yourself try your computer,there’s a wealth of answers.
Doug U.
This is nit encouraging when the monthly net cost of internet is completely unknown. Internet costs should be negotiated for qualifiers as a class and then offered to SSI recipients. Also is this program subject to sunset leaving recipients with something they would not be able to afford.
Mohammed A.
Ok
Misty P.
“Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 toward purchasing a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers. To qualify for this one-time discount, households must contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price.” So, this reads in such a way that the laptop, desktop computer or tablet must be in total, a price of less than $150 if the individual is only contributing $50 to the purchase price (at max) and the discount is $100. In what world does a computer, laptop or tablet only cost $150 in today’s economy? How does this make sense?
Sherry W.
How do I sign up for the tablet ?? Or who do I go thru to get it ?
Stanley H.
How do I receive these discounts,where do I go?
Ann C.
Hi, Stanley. Thanks for your question. You can learn more about applying for ACP – and see if you’re eligible for the discounts – on the ACP website. We hope this helps.
Wendi G.
I’ve been looking for any business that “actually” provides these PC’s at these discounted prices for almost a year. What use is this benefit unless someone provides the hardware?
Bobbijo
Actually Broad Ban is a tite under Americans with Disabilities Act which is a Federal. We suppose to have these services free for us. Since benefits is classified as Excuse Low Income.
Donald C.
How do I sign up for the discount?
Ann C.
Hi, Donald. Thanks for your question. You can learn more about applying for ACP – and see if you’re eligible for the discounts – on the ACP website. We hope this helps.
Ann C.
Hi, Sherry. Thanks for your questions. You can learn more about applying for ACP – and see if you’re eligible for the discounts – on the ACP website. We hope this helps.
Bill
I had the same question and then went to the Affordable Connectivity link and there it says,
“ 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”
When I read that I read the the participating provider (a business that is part of the program??) is the one who contributes an additional $10-$50 towards the purchase.
Would be great if they would clarify because no one can buy anything for $150 or less even if it is used and in crappy condition.
Trudy B.
How do I sign up for the program
Ann C.
Hi, Trudy. Thanks for visiting our blog. You can learn more about applying for ACP – and see if you’re eligible for the discounts – on the ACP website. We hope this helps.
Ann C.
Hi, Bill. Thanks for visiting our blog. For more information or additional specific questions, please visit Affordable Connectivity Program’s (ACP) Consumer Frequently Asked Questions or call the ACP Support Center at (877) 384-2575.
Mohammed A.
I want
Ann C.
Hi, Mohammed. Thanks for visiting our blog. You can learn more about applying for ACP – and see if you’re eligible for the discounts – on the ACP website. We hope this helps.
Michael G.
Exactly what I was thinking.
Brigitte
It doesn’t say it’s to pay for a laptop. It says it’s money to put toward the purchase. “$100 toward purchasing a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers.”
Karla
It doesn’t.
Donna A.
I agree 100%. I thought I was the only one that felt that way. Have you even looked at the desk top computers they offer?, Tablets?, Also the ACP Program how many months does it take to get approved?? I have everything on the list except WIC and keep getting soft denials because want more info. Why? 1 is all ACP needs and I provided my SSI and my lease Medicaid,Signature for my account every thing I was asked for then denied and started over again
Mousielove
Be careful with this. AT&T gave me the initial discount, but in so doing, jacked up my monthly rate from $48 to $55. The previous government “help” expired and now, the bill went from $15 with my discount to $36. This is less a “help” to seniors than it is a giveaway to Big Tech.
Helen R.
How do I apply
Mousielove
Contact your ISP – in my case, it was AT&T. I’ve since dumped the land line with them and I was looking for a different (non-woke) ISP. So far, no luck in my area. Good luck to you!
Vmarie
Do you plan to get another landline and with whom?
Mousielove
IF you are asking me, no, I’m done with AT&T except for Internet service. I desperately want to dump them, but haven’t found another reliable provider in the So. California area. I have a prepaid cell, often called a “burner” phone. Can’t afford a smart phone and have also heard that a program called Pegasus attaches itself to any smart phones (especially apple) using no click technology – our government is spying. Look it up. And yes, I know that sounds “nuts” but they are.
D. H.
Sometimes you can get a prepaid landline if that’s an option for you in your area? I have a prepaid phone it’s cheaper than a contract or going through your Internet Provider
Ann C.
Hi, Helen. Thanks for visiting our blog. You can learn more about applying for ACP – and see if you’re eligible for the discounts – on the ACP website. We hope this helps.
Mohammed A.
I want
Tracey C.
How do I sign up for lab top?
Ann C.
Hi, Tracey. Thanks for visiting our blog. You can learn more about applying for ACP – and see if you’re eligible for the discounts – on the ACP website. We hope this helps.
Rabia M.
How to apply for internet discount
Ann C.
Hi, Rabia. Thanks for visiting our blog. You can learn more about applying for ACP – and see if you’re eligible for the discounts – on the ACP website. We hope this helps.
Ricky
Currently I work full-time but I am wondering do I qualify for SSI if I am unable to work but still getting social security and a small monthly pension
Brigitte
This benefit is for people on SSI. You would need to apply for it, to find out whether or not you qualify. No other way of knowing whether you qualify, or not.
Racquel
You can also get the benefit if you are just on SSDI if you meet the qualifications another way.
Ann C.
Hi, Ricky. Thanks for your question. Thank you for your question. The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program is a needs-based program that pays benefits to disabled adults and children who have limited income and resources. SSI benefits are payable to people 65 and older without disabilities, who meet the financial limits. To be eligible for SSI, a person must have $2,000 or less in countable resources. For more information, visit our Supplemenal Security Income page. If you have additonal questions, please call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for assistance. You can also contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.