Affordable Connectivity Program FAQ
The Affordable Connectivity Program is a new, long-term $14 billion program that will replace the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) plan.
The program allows for:
- Up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households
- Up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands
Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price.
The Affordable Connectivity Program is limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount per household.
Yes, the Affordable Connectivity Program started December 31, 2021.
A household is eligible if a 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; or
- 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 the free and reduced-price school lunch program or the school breakfast program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision in the 2019-2020, 2020-2021, or 2021-2022 school year;
- Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year; or
- Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider’s existing low-income program.
Households enrolled in the EBB Program as of December 31, 2021 will continue to receive their current monthly benefit until March 1, 2022 during a 60-day transition period.
Households will not see any change to their EBB Program benefit discount during the 60-day transition period.
Households that qualified for the Emergency Broadband Benefit due to a substantial loss of income as a result of job loss or furlough since February 29, 2020, or by meeting the eligibility criteria for a participating provider’s COVID-19 program, will need to requalify for the Affordable Connectivity Program. You will be contacted by the program administrator (USAC) or your provider if you need to requalify.
If contacted, you should provide eligibility documentation so you can continue in the ACP once the transition period ends on March 1, 2022. You will continue to receive your full Emergency Broadband Benefit until March 1, 2022.
Anyone who completes an approved EBB Program application and enrolls with an internet company on or after December 31, 2021 will begin receiving the Affordable Connectivity Benefit.
Check the FCC’s website for more updates.
Highline’s customer service representatives must perform an address lookup for your specific address to determine what broadband service options are available to your premises.
All services are subject to availability.
ACP Application is a two-step process:
- Go to ACPBenefit.org to submit an application or print out a mail-in application.
- Contact your preferred participating provider to select a service plan and have the discount applied to your bill.
Some providers may have an alternative application they will ask you to complete.
Eligible households must both apply for the program and contact a participating provider to select a service plan.