PA residents eligible for high-speed, low-cost internet. Who qualifies, how to apply
President Joe Biden announced his Affordable Connectivity Program last week, aiming to extend low- or no-cost, high-speed internet access to tens of millions of households across the country.
Made possible by a public-private partnership with 20 internet service providers, the benefit offers low-income families subsidies of $30 a month and up to $75 a month in tribal areas.
According to British newspaper The Guardian, it’s the result of the $1 trillion infrastructure bill Congress passed last year, which included $14.2 billion to fund Biden’s Affordable Connectivity Program.
The effort means about 48 million American households qualify for $30 monthly plans for 100 megabits per second, or higher speed, internet service — covering their internet service fully if they sign up with one of the participating providers.
Here’s what Pennsylvanians need to know about if they may qualify and how to sign up.
Which internet service providers in Pennsylvania are participating in the Affordable Connectivity Program?
A list of the more recognizable providers is below. Be sure to call the given provider for your area and confirm whether they offer ACP service for your address.
Some of the companies participating in Pennsylvania and offering home internet are:
- Windstream: 866-445-8084
- Comcast: 800-934-6489
- Verizon Wireless: 800-922-0204
An extensive list of Pennsylvania companies is available online at data.usac.org/publicreports/CompaniesNearMe/State/StateOption/PA.
Do I qualify for low-cost internet through the federal program?
According to the program’s official website at Whitehouse.gov/getinternet, there are three main ways to qualify for this benefit:
Your income must be at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines. You can use this chart below to review those thresholds.
2. You or someone in your household uses one of the following programs:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps
- Medicaid
- Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Federal Public Housing (FPHA)
- Veterans Pensions and Survivors Benefit, Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program, including at U.S. Department of Agriculture Community Eligibility Provision schools
- Federal Pell Grant (awarded in current award year)
- Lifeline
- Certain tribal assistance programs, including Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Head Start (only households meeting the income qualifying standard), Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF) and Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
3. You meet the eligibility criteria for a participating broadband provider’s existing low-income internet program.
How do I claim my Affordable Connectivity Program credit?
After checking if you qualify, you can apply through the application widget at Whitehouse.gov/getinternet.
You can also send in your application via mail, with applications available in English and Spanish, or apply through a participating internet service provider. Some may ask you to do this through their application process.
Before applying, make sure you have one of the following on hand:
Your Social Security number
Your tribal ID number, if applicable
Your driver’s license, military ID, passport, taxpayer ID number or other form of government identification. If you’re using these, make sure you have a picture ready to upload with your application.
How do I choose my internet service plan to use my federal credit?
According to the federal website, once your application is approved, you contact a participating service provider to choose a plan and apply.
More information on how to apply can be found at https://acpbenefit.org/how-to-apply/ or by calling 877-384-2575.
This story was originally published May 16, 2022 at 3:45 PM.