Affordable Connectivity Program The Affordable Connectivity Program gives low-income households a discount on internet services so they don’t have to decide between purchasing broadband or other necessities. Learn how to enroll in the program, which is administered by the Federal Communications Commission. There is no fee to apply for the program. The Affordable Connectivity Program provides: A $30 per month benefit to help households afford access to high-speed internet service. Up to a $75 per month discount if the household is on qualifying Tribal lands. A one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer (with a co-payment of more than $10 but less than $50). Community groups can use these outreach materials to help spread the word about the benefit. The following frequently asked questions offer helpful information on outreach, participation and providers. Outreach How can my organization help spread the word about the Affordable Connectivity Program to those who need it? Consumer groups, community anchor institutions, faith-based organizations and local nonprofits can reach out to inform their communities about the Affordable Connectivity Program. Find outreach materials for the Affordable Connectivity Program. Local leaders are encouraged to print, publish, use, and distribute the materials to their communities through their online and offline channels. By spreading the word, your organization can help empower your neighbors who do not have access to high-speed broadband. What materials can I use to spread the word? The Division of Broadband and Digital Equity has developed outreach materials that can be downloaded, posted and printed for use. They are available in English and Spanish and are specific to tribal areas. Find outreach materials for the Affordable Connectivity Program. Do you need other materials? Send a message to broadband@nc.gov to discuss your needs and how we might be able to help. What's the best way to spread the word? Social media or other internet channels are great tools for communications and outreach but should not be used exclusively because they miss key groups who need the information the most. Find outreach materials for the Affordable Connectivity Program. Outreach materials can be inserted in community mailings, such as utility bills, school board notifications, library notices and church bulletins. They can be posted in community hubs, such as libraries, coffee shops, schools and places of worship. The National Digital Inclusion Alliance shared the following outreach tips: Research shows that for digital adoption, the most effective marketing and information-based outreach, includes partnerships with public agencies, community-based organizations, 211 and 311 helplines and local media. Customize outreach materials with local information and translate them as needed. Work with organizations serving populations less likely to have home broadband service. Maintain a list of local internet providers participating in the Affordable Connectivity Program. Request local internet providers' reports on marketing, outreach, application support progress and enrollment numbers. Check and share when the USAC ends the program. Help participants choose a different plan or pay the full cost. Consumers Who may receive the discount for internet service? The FCC has set criteria for who may receive internet service discounts from the Affordable Connectivity Program. At least one member of a household must meet one of these conditions: Has an income that is at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines; Participates in certain assistance programs, such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Medicaid Federal Public Housing Assistance Supplemental Security Income (SSI) WIC 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; Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year; or Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider's existing low-income program. How long will the discount be given? Enrollment in the Affordable Connectivity Program began Dec. 31, 2021. As the FCC transitions to this new program from the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBBP), all EBBP participants as of Dec. 31, 2021, will continue to receive their current monthly benefit until March 1, 2022. More information about steps current EBBP recipients must take to continue receiving the Affordable Connectivity Program benefit after March 1, 2022, will be available in the coming weeks. The FCC provides more information about the Affordable Connectivity Program. Who offers the discount? The FCC maintains a list of providers participating in the Affordable Connectivity Program. How can I get the discount? Households may apply for the Affordable Connectivity Program either through their participating broadband provider or directly with the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC). Applications opened Dec. 31, 2021. There is no fee to apply to the program. The FCC provides more information about how to apply. Providers What internet service providers offer the discount? The FCC maintains a list of providers participating in the Affordable Connectivity Program. How can providers participate in the Affordable Connectivity Program? The FCC provides extensive guidance for broadband providers wishing to participate in the Affordable Connectivity Program. Eligible providers may include cable providers, wireless Internet service providers and non-traditional broadband providers, such as community-owned networks, electric cooperatives and municipal governments. Information and details about the approval process can be found here and here on the FCC's website.
Affordable Connectivity Program The Affordable Connectivity Program gives low-income households a discount on internet services so they don’t have to decide between purchasing broadband or other necessities. Learn how to enroll in the program, which is administered by the Federal Communications Commission. There is no fee to apply for the program. The Affordable Connectivity Program provides: A $30 per month benefit to help households afford access to high-speed internet service. Up to a $75 per month discount if the household is on qualifying Tribal lands. A one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer (with a co-payment of more than $10 but less than $50). Community groups can use these outreach materials to help spread the word about the benefit. The following frequently asked questions offer helpful information on outreach, participation and providers. Outreach How can my organization help spread the word about the Affordable Connectivity Program to those who need it? Consumer groups, community anchor institutions, faith-based organizations and local nonprofits can reach out to inform their communities about the Affordable Connectivity Program. Find outreach materials for the Affordable Connectivity Program. Local leaders are encouraged to print, publish, use, and distribute the materials to their communities through their online and offline channels. By spreading the word, your organization can help empower your neighbors who do not have access to high-speed broadband. What materials can I use to spread the word? The Division of Broadband and Digital Equity has developed outreach materials that can be downloaded, posted and printed for use. They are available in English and Spanish and are specific to tribal areas. Find outreach materials for the Affordable Connectivity Program. Do you need other materials? Send a message to broadband@nc.gov to discuss your needs and how we might be able to help. What's the best way to spread the word? Social media or other internet channels are great tools for communications and outreach but should not be used exclusively because they miss key groups who need the information the most. Find outreach materials for the Affordable Connectivity Program. Outreach materials can be inserted in community mailings, such as utility bills, school board notifications, library notices and church bulletins. They can be posted in community hubs, such as libraries, coffee shops, schools and places of worship. The National Digital Inclusion Alliance shared the following outreach tips: Research shows that for digital adoption, the most effective marketing and information-based outreach, includes partnerships with public agencies, community-based organizations, 211 and 311 helplines and local media. Customize outreach materials with local information and translate them as needed. Work with organizations serving populations less likely to have home broadband service. Maintain a list of local internet providers participating in the Affordable Connectivity Program. Request local internet providers' reports on marketing, outreach, application support progress and enrollment numbers. Check and share when the USAC ends the program. Help participants choose a different plan or pay the full cost. Consumers Who may receive the discount for internet service? The FCC has set criteria for who may receive internet service discounts from the Affordable Connectivity Program. At least one member of a household must meet one of these conditions: Has an income that is at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines; Participates in certain assistance programs, such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Medicaid Federal Public Housing Assistance Supplemental Security Income (SSI) WIC 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; Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year; or Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider's existing low-income program. How long will the discount be given? Enrollment in the Affordable Connectivity Program began Dec. 31, 2021. As the FCC transitions to this new program from the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBBP), all EBBP participants as of Dec. 31, 2021, will continue to receive their current monthly benefit until March 1, 2022. More information about steps current EBBP recipients must take to continue receiving the Affordable Connectivity Program benefit after March 1, 2022, will be available in the coming weeks. The FCC provides more information about the Affordable Connectivity Program. Who offers the discount? The FCC maintains a list of providers participating in the Affordable Connectivity Program. How can I get the discount? Households may apply for the Affordable Connectivity Program either through their participating broadband provider or directly with the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC). Applications opened Dec. 31, 2021. There is no fee to apply to the program. The FCC provides more information about how to apply. Providers What internet service providers offer the discount? The FCC maintains a list of providers participating in the Affordable Connectivity Program. How can providers participate in the Affordable Connectivity Program? The FCC provides extensive guidance for broadband providers wishing to participate in the Affordable Connectivity Program. Eligible providers may include cable providers, wireless Internet service providers and non-traditional broadband providers, such as community-owned networks, electric cooperatives and municipal governments. Information and details about the approval process can be found here and here on the FCC's website.
