When can I sign up?
Eligible households will be able to enroll in the Affordable Connectivity Program to receive a monthly discount off the cost of broadband service from an approved provider. Eligible households can enroll through an approved provider or by visiting acpbenefit.org.
Who is eligible for the ACP Program?
A household is eligible if one member of the household meets at least one of the criteria below:
- Has an income that is at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines
- Participates in certain assistance programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid, Federal Public Housing Assistance, SSI, WIC, or Lifeline
- Participates in Tribal specific programs, such as Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Tribal TANF, or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
- Is approved to receive benefits under federal free/reduced price school lunch/breakfast program or is enrolled in a school that participates in the Community Eligibility Provision
- Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year; or
- Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider’s existing low-income program.
Do I receive the funds directly each month?
No, the Affordable Connectivity Program provides a monthly discount on broadband service of up to $30 per eligible household (or up to $75 per eligible household on Tribal lands). STRATA will receive the funds directly from the ACP.
Can I sign up for the ACP if I am already a customer or if I was a customer in the past?
Yes, the benefit is available to eligible new, prior, and existing customers of participating providers.
What is Lifeline and how do I qualify?
Lifeline is the FCC’s program to help make communications services more affordable for low-income consumers. To participate in the Lifeline program, consumers must either have an income that is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or participate in certain federal assistance programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicaid, Federal Public Housing Assistance, Supplemental Security Income, the Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit, or certain Tribal Programs. You can see if you are eligible by reviewing the information available at lifelinesupport.org (click “Do I Qualify?”).
Can I receive both the ACP and Lifeline benefits at the same time?
Yes. You can also combine these benefits with other state and local benefits where available. They can be applied to the same qualifying service or separately to a Lifeline service and an Affordability Connectivity Program service with the same or different providers. For example, an eligible household could have a Lifeline-supported mobile phone service and a separate home broadband service that is supported through the Affordability Connectivity Program.
If I already receive Lifeline benefits, will I automatically receive the ACP?
No. You must opt-in with your existing provider or request enrollment in the Affordability Connectivity Program with a participating broadband provider and chose an eligible service plan. You can choose to receive the benefit from your current Lifeline service provider or another participating provider.
Everyone at my child’s school receives breakfast and lunch at no cost. Do we qualify?
Yes. Households with a student enrolled in a school or school district where every student receives this benefit are eligible for the Affordability Connectivity Program.
Will I be able to use the service and the device if I have a disability?
The services and devices will be accessible to and usable by people with disabilities. If you have any concerns about whether your broadband service and equipment is accessible, contact the FCC’s Disability Rights office at 202-418-2517 for a voice phone call, at 844-432-2275 by videophone, or by email at DRO@fcc.gov.
How long will the ACP program last?
Congress created the ACP, which is a new, long-term $14 billion program that replaced the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program. You can find more information about the Affordable Connectivity Program and these changes by visiting the Federal Communications Commission website www.FCC.gov/ACP. You can also send an email to ACPQuestions@usac.org to get an email with answers to frequently asked questions.
What if I was previously enrolled in the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) program?
Beginning December 31, 2021, households fully enrolled in the Emergency Broadband Benefit will receive their current monthly benefit until March 1, 2022. Within this 60- day transition period they will continue to receive their full EBB Program month benefit (up to $50 for non-Tribal) before moving to the lower (up to $30) ACP month benefit. At the end of this 60-day transition period, March 1, 2022, the EBB subscriber will be fully transitioned to the ACP unless stated otherwise. More information on this program will be made available in the coming weeks.
How much does broadband service cost?
The Affordability Connectivity Program provides a monthly discount for broadband service up to $30 per eligible household, or up to $75 per eligible household on Tribal lands. The discount will be applied to your broadband service, but the ultimate cost to you will depend on the eligible plan you select from a participating provider.
Can I upgrade my current plan to take advantage of the full $30 per month (or $75 per month on Tribal lands)?
You may be able to do so. Talk to STRATA about the plans they have available as part of the ACP.
If the service plan I pick is $65 per month, do I get the extra money?
No. STRATA is only reimbursed for the cost of the plan up to $75 per eligible household on Tribal lands.
If the plan I pick is more than the monthly discount for broadband service, do I pay the extra myself
Yes. You are responsible for any amount over $30 per month (or over $75 per month on Tribal lands) for broadband service under the Affordable Connectivity Program.
How does the $100 device benefit work?
STRATA customers enrolled in the ACP can purchase the Lenovo Tab M8 tablet and the ACP funds will reduce the cost of that device by $100. To take advantage of this benefit, you must contribute the remaining portion of the cost.
If my child and I are part of the same household, can we each get our own connected device through the ACP?
No. Each household is limited to a single device discount.