Housing ReliefWith the cost of groceries being so high right now, it’s great to know that you can apply for SNAP benefits (food stamps) to get monthly funds to buy nutritious food for your family.
Once you qualify for SNAP, you get an EBT card that holds those funds. Swipe it like a credit card at the store, and you can pay for most of your groceries without spending any cash out of your own pocket.
Although you may be familiar with how an EBT card can save you money each month via grocery shopping, you may not know that it can lower your Internet bill too. Thanks to a new program from the federal government, that EBT card could lead to a $30 discount on each month’s Internet service.
The Affordable Connectivity Program Explained
In April 2021, the government announced its Emergency Broadband Benefit. The temporary program was put into place to help people negatively impacted by the coronavirus pandemic so they could enjoy affordable Internet service. With a $50 monthly discount, qualifying households could get online in a more budget-friendly manner to work from home and help their kids with virtual learning.
As of March 1, 2022, the Emergency Broadband Benefit no longer exists. However, what still exists is the need for accessible Internet, which is why the government decided to replace the Emergency Broadband Benefit with the Affordable Connectivity Program. Through this new program, qualifying recipients can enjoy the following:
- A $30 discount on their monthly Internet bill ($75 if living on Tribal lands).
- A $100 discount (one-time) on the purchase of a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet through a participating provider.
Although the ACP offers a lower monthly benefit than the EBB, it beats its predecessor in one major fashion: It is permanent. In other words, qualify for the ACP now, and you could continue to enjoy its monthly discount many years into the future.
How To Prove Eligibility For The Affordable Connectivity Program
How does your EBT card factor into all of this? If you have an EBT card, it shows that you receive government assistance via food stamps. And receiving such assistance is one way to prove your eligibility for the ACP.
Beyond food stamps, you can also qualify for the ACP if you receive SSI, WIC, Medicaid, public housing, Federal Pell Grant, National School Lunch Program, or School Breakfast Program benefits. Simply show proof via a letter or document from one of those programs, and you should be able to receive that monthly Internet discount.
Can you qualify for the ACP if you don’t receive some form of government assistance? Sure, as long as you can show that your household income is less than 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. You can provide proof of income via your current tax return or three recent pay stubs.
To start receiving the ACP $30 monthly Internet discount, go here or contact your Internet provider.
