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.

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About the Author

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

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Comments

  1. Penny S.

    If I’m already on SSDI, how do I apply for the internet discount?

  2. Kimberly F.

    I received two different phones that wouldn’t work. Assurance and Safelink. Finally got internet for $40 plus my $30 given to them. It last a month then they said my part would be $70 because plans went up. So I couldn’t afford it. Hughes Net. Still no phone. I’ve made calls and always given the run around. It’s very hard to be offered help and not get any.

  3. Alan P.

    I have been sending copies of different ssi forms to the ACP. I kept getting that it was not enough information. I sent a copy of my 1099a form and then the said I do not qualify. I then called and someone there told me I need to send a copy of my yearly income form. I thought if you are receiving ssi then you qualify. I am 68 years old and on ssi. Can someone help me? Thanks

  4. Leslie A.

    I have been excepted into the program. I cant find my information.

    • Patricia

      Excepted or accepted??!

  5. Tammy E.

    Hi!
    I receive disability, do I qualify for internet discounts, etc. I’m not sure what is supplimental ssi. Please explain what I qualify for. Ty

    Tammy Estep

    • Tami

      SSI is Social Security Insurance, what you receive is SSDI Social Security Disability Insurance. You should qualify because they are both Social Security programs.

      • Joey W.

        Yes

    • Veronica P.

      You can get SSDI if you worked at least 5years and SSI as well if you get the SSDI ok if I were you I would definitely look into it.

  6. susan s.

    I have a question not for me but for my mother. Her bank account has dwindled to almost nothing Its time to get her set up with SSI Her house is in a trust fund..We are at a loss as what to do Can you give us some pointers?

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Susan. Thanks for visitng our blog. Unfortunately, your question is a bit more complex than we can handle in this forum. She can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for assistance. She can also contact her local Social Security office. We hope this helps.

      • Ariana M.

        When I call 1-800-772-1213 there is a message that social security cannot take my call at this time, and to call back. I have been calling for 2 hours in the middle of the day on Tuesday. This is getting insane. Forget long hold times, you literally aren’t even accepting phone calls at all. And it’s about an issue of someone not returning my call afterr I was informed to leave him a message about my SSI being withheld. You’re trying to drive citizens insane?

        • Ann C.

          Hi, Ariana. We were currently having problems with our 800 Number system. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience and we appreciate your patience. If you still need assistance, you can contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.

  7. Joe C.

    Thanks

  8. Carla W.

    How can I get free internet.iam on disability and food stamps

  9. Spicy 6.

    The affordable connectivity goverment agency is not legit. After signing up I went on to check using my user ID no information wanted me to signup again. I called1-877-384-2575 they wanted a Number that was never disclosed to me.

  10. Tiffany

    You can get typing FCC and when you do you sign up for an account like you do on social security it will ask you questions you answer the questions or ask you a picture ID anything you’ll ask if you get SSI or something like that or food stamps a picture of probably that I’m not sure. I will tell you if you’re approved or not if you are approved go on down and it will have a link that takes you to another page with every state on it click on the state and it will show providers if you can’t get one to work go to the next that’s what I had to do boost Mobile works for sure but you have to sign up through boost Mobile to be honest it was a hassle then Angie got a pattern to go back and fill out the paperwork for the FCC call boost Mobile let them know and they sent me a air time card number.
    I also know it works with spectrum that you can go to their site and sign up through them it’s easier. Hope this helps have a wonderful day. Oh ps do not go through a TracFone¡!!

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