ACP Sign-up Guide

Content provided by Shelbi Henkle, December, 2022

American Connection Program Sign-up Guide

The American Connection Program (ACP) is a subsidy program for one’s internet bill or computer device. The discount for your internet service is up to $30 and for the computer, the device is up to $100. It is a monthly discount for one’s internet service and is limited to one computer device per household.

You qualify if one of the following applies to you:

  • AT or BELOW 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines

  • Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year;

  • Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider’s existing low-income internet program;

  • Participates in one of these assistance programs:

    • Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program, including at U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Community Eligibility Provision schools.

    • SNAP

    • Medicaid

    • Federal Housing Assistance, including:

      • Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program (Section 8 Vouchers)

      • Project-Based Rental Assistance (PBRA)/Section 202/ Section 811

      • Public Housing

      • Affordable Housing Programs for American Indians, Alaska Natives or Native Hawaiians

    • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

    • WIC

    • Veterans Pension or Survivor Benefits

    • Lifeline

1) If you believe you are eligible go to https://www.affordableconnectivity.gov/ and click ‘Apply Now. You will begin by creating a Lifeline profile – be sure to remember or write down your created Username and Password. These will be crucial for completing your application.

** Note: The person applying for ACP must be the one whose name is on their internet account.**

Example- A son or daughter cannot apply for the discount if the parent is paying the internet bill.

Once you go through the information the FCC asks of you and you are determined eligible by the FCC you will receive a code. DO NOT LOSE THIS CODE.

2) When you receive this code, you will contact your internet provider – over the phone is the most efficient way to get the discount applied. One needs to have their account information ready and the code received from the FCC site.

**If you need to verify if your provider has a partnership with ACP you can click ‘Search for list of participating internet providers in your area’. You will then enter your zip code and select ACP benefits. A list of participating companies and their websites will populate. **

Once this is applied the $30 discount will be applied to NEXT month’s bill.

Tips & Tricks

The entire application process, both steps, should take 30-40 minutes depending on the hold times for calling your provider and if you have all the information needed ready.

When applying for the ACP these are a few things to have readily available for the smoothest application process:

  • Social Security Number

  • Valid, Working Email

  • If you qualify through your child’s Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program, including at U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Community Eligibility Provision schools – you will need either a letter from your school’s principal or a recent report card from within the last 6 months

Alternative application tactics:

Select internet providers will streamline the process into one step where you can apply for ACP through their website. This allows for a one-step process and can be done in one place. Additionally, it provides a more likely chance that someone will complete both the eligibility and enrollment steps.

** There is roughly a 10% discrepancy between those who have determined eligibility and those who have become fully enrolled in the program – receiving the discount*

Common Questions & Concerns

Q: Will my speed go down if I accept this discount?

A: No, your speed will remain the same for the package you have subscribed to.

Q: Will the ACP money run out while I am on it?

A: Currently, the funds are projected to last until 2026 with the current application rate for ACP. If it runs out it will be up to the presidential administration to choose to extend the program on not.

Q: If I applied a year ago for ACP but never contacted my provider do I need to reapply?

A: Yes, you will need to reinter your information on the ACP program and log in to the account you created during the initial application. If you have issues or cannot remember your password call the FCC Support Center at (877)-384-2575 to reset your password.