AFFORDABLE CONNECTIVITY PROGRAM (ACP)
The ACP is a new federal low-income assistance program designed to help offset some of the costs of residential broadband Internet service plans via monthly billed credits. The ACP began on December 31, 2021, replacing the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBBP). All consumers enrolled in EBBP at that time were automatically enrolled in the ACP and retained their identical EBBP credits for January and February of 2022. On March 2, 2022, the ACP credits will replace those of the EBBP. The credit amounts for all ACP participants will cover the customer’s broadband Internet service plans up to a maximum of $30.00. No ACP participants will need to reverify their eligibility initially, except for those who were became eligible for EBBP because they proved “ a significant loss of income” beginning February 29, 2020.
To apply for ACP enrollment, consumers may visit the ACP online portal at https://acpbenefit.org/how-to-apply/ or obtain a paper application and mail it to the Universal Service Administration Company (USAC). ACP Applications and Independent Household Worksheets may be downloaded via the above link or from this website (see below) or you may visit the FTC office to get an application. When applying for the ACP, please make a copy of your application data. You will need that exact information later in the enrollment process. After you have applied, you will receive a notice from USAC and learn whether you have been approved. If you have been approved, you will want to gather your application data and your USAC approval notice and visit FTC for the next step. FTC will make every attempt to enroll you in the ACP as quickly as possible. Please be aware that your enrollment will be delayed if any of the data you used on your application does not perfectly match information you provide to customer service personnel at FTC. You can also apply online here.
A household in which a family member participates in one of a number of federal low-income assistance programs will be eligible for ACP. These federal programs include: Lifeline Assistance Program; SNAP; Medicaid; WIC (Special Supplemental Nutritional Program for Woman, Infants & Children); Federal Public Housing (FPHA); Supplemental Security Income (SSI); Veterans’ Pension or Survivors’ Pension; Pell Grant received during the recent year; Free or Reduced-Price School Lunch/Breakfast Program; Enrollment in a school that participates in the Community Eligibility Program, and; Head Start (only for those meeting its income qualifying standards). You can also qualify if your household income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. See the below chart.
Persons in Household | 200% of National Poverty Guidelines |
---|---|
1 | $27,180 |
2 | $36,620 |
3 | $46,060 |
4 | $55,500 |
5 | $64,940 |
6 | $74,380 |
7 | $83,820 |
8 | $93,260 |