Guest Bloggers, People Facing Barriers, SSI

The Affordable Connectivity Program Can Help SSI Recipients Get Internet Access

March 24, 2022 • By

Reading Time: 2 Minutes

Last 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.

Did you find this Information helpful?

Yes
No
Thanks for your feedback!

Tags: , , ,

See Comments

About the Author

Alejandro Roark, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau Chief, Federal Communications Commission

Related Articles

Save Time Applying for SNAP and SSI

Diagnosed with Cancer? Social Security and Triage Cancer Can Help

Arthritis Patients Share How It Hurts

5 Ways to Apply for Social Security Benefits Online

Comments

  1. Lonnie D.

    I am interested. How do I get Wi-Fi?

  2. James W.

    I would like to know how I can get the affordable internet and how much it would cost me a month ?

  3. Jim P.

    What if the web infrastructure doesn’t exist for me?
    Is there some good old paper forms I can get somewhere to apply for Medicare now that I’m eligible? Seems I have to register at the website to make an apt to get into the local office. The door is locked otherwise.

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Jim. Thanks for visiting our blog. Most local offices have resumed in-person service for people without an appointment. Customers who walk in without appointments may encounter delays. Visit How to Get Help from Social Security to learn more, including what to know if you need to visit an office. Keep in mind if you are already getting Social Security retirement benefits, you will be enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B automatically. However, because you must pay a premium for Part B coverage, you have the options of turning it down. To learn more about Medicare and how to apply, please visit our Medicare benefits page. We hope this helps.  

  4. Janice H.

    I am interested in this program ACP.

  5. Maria Z.

    Maria Z.
    Intrested in this program please send Info.

  6. Ronald B.

    Ronald B
    May 31, 2022 10:00 PM

    I am definitely interested in receiving more information for internet assistance. I also qualify for this program due to receiving various SSI benefits. Please send me what is required to join.

  7. Luis R.

    Please send info

  8. June H.

    Please send me information on this program.

  9. Wendy H.

    i am interested i am on ssi and can not afford thee other inrtnet services please help me Wendy Heslop

  10. Crystal H.

    I am interested in the program.

Comments are closed.