Affordable internet service is a necessity these days, but many times we forget that some struggle to afford internet service and others can’t afford it at all, this includes Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries.
Social Security provides monthly SSI benefits to low-income seniors and beneficiaries who have been found disabled by the Social Security, but the modest benefits only provide for some of life’s essentials and many times SSI recipients struggle provide for their household, but the government is promoting the Affordable Connectivity Program, which is overseen by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) as a way SSI recipients can access affordable internet service. The maximum monthly benefit SSI beneficiaries can receive is just $841 a month in 2022. Below is more information about the program.
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a U.S. government program run by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program to help low-income households pay for internet service and connected devices like a laptop or tablet. You are likely eligible if your household’s income is below 200% of the Federal Poverty Line, or if you or someone you live with currently receives a government benefit like SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, WIC, Pell Grant, or Free and Reduced-Price Lunch.
If your household is eligible, you could receive:
• Up to a $30/month discount on your internet service
• Up to a $75/month discount if your 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)
• A low cost service plan that may be fully covered through the ACP*
* Through a separate non-FCC initiative, additional no cost plans may be available to Affordable Connectivity Program enrollees. To learn more please visit GetInternet.gov. Provision of a link to this initiative does not imply FCC endorsement of any particular participating provider. Only one monthly service discount and one device discount is allowed per household. To receive the connected device discount, consumers need to enroll in the ACP with a participating provider that offers connected devices (Note: not all internet company offer device discounts.) The internet company will provide the discount to the consumer.
