What Is the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)?The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a federal and state program that provides eligible households a discount up to $30 per month off home or cell phone internet bills. The State of Maryland's Emergency Broadband Benefit adds another $15 per month discount for participating Internet Service Providers.
Households enrolled in benefit programs (such as SNAP or Medicaid) or earning up to 200% of the federal poverty rate are eligible.
All eligible families can pay zero for home or mobile internet after the ACP benefit is applied to your account. (Some lower income households may also receive an additional $9.25 Lifeline discount off a cell phone telephone or internet, or home internet bill.)
There are 3 easy steps to be able to receive the ACP internet discount (more details below):
- Create an Account.
- Apply for ACP or LifeLine.
- Give your Application ID Number to your internet provider and tell them to apply the discount.
Am I Eligible for ACP?
Low-income households are eligible. A “household” is a group of people who live together and share money (even if they are not related to each other). Each household is eligible for a separate ACP. For example, an adult living with someone else who supports him would together be a household, as is a parent and child living together, or a couple living together. In contrast, four roommates living together but not sharing money would be four separate households. In addition, any eligible member of a household makes the entire household eligible. For example, a child or senior enrolled in program that is part of ACP makes the entire household eligible for ACP. Also, when a child shares time living in two households, such as when divorced parents share custody but live at different houses, both households may qualify for ACP.
Low-income households are eligible. A “household” is a group of people who live together and share money (even if they are not related to each other). Each household is eligible for a separate ACP. For example, an adult living with someone else who supports him would together be a household, as is a parent and child living together, or a couple living together. In contrast, four roommates living together but not sharing money would be four separate households. In addition, any eligible member of a household makes the entire household eligible. For example, a child or senior enrolled in program that is part of ACP makes the entire household eligible for ACP. Also, when a child shares time living in two households, such as when divorced parents share custody but live at different houses, both households may qualify for ACP.
Households are eligible for ACP if they meet one of the following conditions:
- Proof of enrollment in one of the following programs:
- Medicaid
- SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)
- National School Lunch Program (often called Free and Reduced Meals in Montgomery County Public Schools)
- Pell Grants
- Lifeline Program
- A low-cost internet program (such as from Internet Essentials from Comcast, Internet First from RCN, or Lifeline through Verizon, T-Mobile or other carrier)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (OBP is working to get more information – only federal public housing assistance, not state housing assistance qualifies for ACP. Non-federal, local housing program participants likely will not qualify for ACP on this basis, but could qualify under other programs.)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI, not regular social security)
- Veterans Administration Pension or Survivors Benefits
- Tribal Assistance (Tribally-Administered Temporary Assistance for Needed Families (TA-TANF, Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) General Assistance (GA), Tribal Head Start, Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR))
- or Proof of income is less than 200% of the federal poverty guidelines (proof through federal/state tax return, not W-2 form)
- $29,160 for a household of 1
- $39,440 for a household of 2
- $49,720 for a household of 3
- $60,000 for a household of 4
- For each additional person, add: $10,280
How Do I Apply for ACP?
You may apply online, by telephone, or by mail. The easiest and fastest way to apply is online.
You may apply online, by telephone, or by mail. The easiest and fastest way to apply is online.
Note: You must have an email address to apply, and that same email address must be tied to your internet service account.
Have your email address and one of these documents ready before you apply:
Three Step Process to Apply for ACP Internet Benefit:
- Go to the National Verifier website https://www.affordableconnectivity.gov/ and click on “Apply Now”. If you already have an account, scroll to the top of the page and click on “Sign In”. If you'd like to change the language, click on your preferred language on the top of the page.
- Use or create an ACP account and fill in the ACP Application to receive your Application ID Number. Write this number down!
- Contact your internet provider or Cell phone Provider, tell them you want the ACP Discount applied to your account and give your provider you Application ID Number.
*For step-by-step instructions, view this pdf.
