Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)

SUMMARY

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 modified and extended the Emergency Broad Band benefit (EBB) to create a permanent program called the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).

As with EBB, ACP provides a discount of up to $30 per month for broadband services to eligible households and an enhanced support of up to $75 for households who live on qualifying Tribal lands.

The Federal Communication Commission (FCC) administers ACP.

DESCRIPTION OF ACP

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) program provides a discount of up to $30 per month for broadband services for eligible households. Households who live on qualifying Tribal lands can receive enhanced support of up to $75 per month toward broadband services. The participating broadband service provider will receive the funds directly from the ACP program.

In addition, the program provides a one-time discount of up to $100 for one laptop, desktop computer, or tablet purchased through a participating provider (click here for NY providers). The one-time discount requires a consumer co-payment of more than $10 and less than $50.

QUALIFYING FOR ACP

To qualify, a household must contain a member who meets one of the following criteria:

• Have household income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level; or
• Is a recipient of certain assistance programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid, Federal Public Housing Assistance, SSI, WIC, or Lifeline;
• Participate in Tribal specific programs, such as Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Tribal TANF, or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations;
• Received approval for 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.

APPLYING FOR ACP

Eligible households will be able to enroll in 3-ways:

• Online, click here. Documents can be uploaded to the system. Online applications can be saved and resumed by creating an account.
• Through an approved provider
• By mail, application in English or Spanish.

Complete the application and send with proof of eligibility to:

ACP Support Center
P.O. Box 7081
London, KY 40742

RESOURCES AND COMPLAINT PROCEDURES

ACP Helpline

To speak with someone regarding eligibility or application status, call the ACP helpline at (877) 384-2575. En español, llamar al: 888-CALL-FCC (888-225-5322)

File a Complaint

Individuals who are having issues with a provider involving ACP can file a complaint with the FCC here. Under Internet Issues select “availability” as the Issue and fill in the form.

If the issue is a billing and service issue, the FCC will serve the complaint to the provider. The provider will have 30 days to provide a response to the complaint.

Resources

For more information visit the FCC’s website. A FAQ is available at https://www.fcc.gov/affordable-connectivity-program-consumer-faq.

HEAP

SUMMARY

The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) helps low-income households pay the cost of heating their homes.

All COVID-19 protections and easements are no longer in effect. For details on this program go to https://otda.ny.gov/programs/heap/

Benefits Plus Online subscribers can access updated information on HEAP refer to Cash Benefits, Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP).

For Benefits Plus Online subscription information visit: https://bplc.cssny.org/home/subscription_options.

Lifeline

Summary

The Lifeline Program is a federally-funded program which provides support to telecommunications companies that in turn offer discounts to eligible consumers. The Lifeline discount can be applied to either home telephone service (landline or cable) or wireless service and is available for only one line per household.

To be eligible, household income must be at or below 135% FPL or be in receipt of a federal benefit. Households can apply online, by mail, or directly with their current phone company.

All COVID-19 protections and easements are no longer in effect. For details on this program go to https://cnm.universalservice.org/