Who Qualifies for the Affordable Connectivity Program?

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) was a federal initiative designed to help eligible low-income households afford broadband internet service and connected devices. It aimed to bridge the digital divide by making essential internet access more accessible for millions of Americans. The Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) administered the program with oversight from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). However, the program officially ended in June 2024, stopping new applications and enrollments on February 7, 2024, due to a lack of additional funding. The following information describes the eligibility criteria and application process as they existed when the program was active.

General Eligibility Requirements

Households could qualify for the ACP primarily through two main pathways: income-based eligibility or participation in specific government assistance programs. Eligibility was generally determined if at least one member of the household met one of these criteria.

Qualification was based on household income if its gross annual income was at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. This income threshold varied based on the number of individuals in the household and was adjusted for certain states like Alaska and Hawaii, which had higher limits. For example, for a household of four, the income limit was typically around $60,000 annually.

Alternatively, households could qualify if at least one member participated in certain federal assistance programs. These programs included the Supplemental Nutrition Program (SNAP), Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA), and the Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit program. Households with a student who received a Federal Pell Grant in the current award year were also eligible.

Specific Household Eligibility

Beyond the general income and program-based criteria, additional pathways provided specific routes to ACP eligibility. These criteria recognized existing federal assistance frameworks and specific community needs, particularly for those residing in Tribal areas.

Households already enrolled in the Lifeline program automatically qualified for the ACP. Lifeline is a long-standing FCC program that helps make communication services more affordable for low-income consumers, providing a discount on monthly telephone or internet service. An individual could receive both Lifeline and ACP benefits simultaneously, applying them to the same or separate services.

Another specific route to eligibility involved participation in school meal programs. Households with a child or dependent approved for the Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program were eligible. This included participation through the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), where entire schools or districts provided free meals, automatically qualifying enrolled students’ households.

For households residing on qualifying Tribal lands, additional programs provided eligibility, often with an enhanced benefit. These included Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF), and the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR). Tribal Head Start programs also qualified households if they met specific income standards. The monthly discount for internet service for households on Tribal lands was higher, up to $75 per month, compared to the general $30 monthly discount.

Preparing for Your Application

Before starting an ACP application, gathering specific information and documents was a necessary preparatory step. Applicants needed to prepare personal identification information, including their full legal name, date of birth, and physical address. Providing the last four digits of a Social Security Number (SSN) or a Tribal Identification Number could expedite the verification process. An email address was also necessary for receiving updates and communications regarding the application status.

To prove eligibility, specific documentation was required depending on the qualification method. For income-based eligibility, acceptable documents included prior year’s state, federal, or Tribal tax returns, current income statements from an employer, or three consecutive pay stubs within the last 12 months. For program-based qualification, applicants needed to provide official letters or documents from the issuing agency that included their name and the program name, such as a SNAP benefit award letter or a Medicaid approval letter. School enrollment letters for free/reduced lunch or Pell Grant award letters were also used for proof of eligibility.

Submitting Your Application

Once all necessary information and documents were prepared, applicants proceeded to the submission phase. The application process was designed to be accessible, with multiple avenues available for submission.

Applicants could submit their applications online through the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) website, specifically through the National Verifier portal. This online portal guided users through entering their pre-gathered information and uploading required documents. Alternatively, a printable mail-in application form was available for those who preferred to apply by postal service. When submitting by mail, only copies of documents should have been sent, never originals.

Another convenient option was to apply directly through a participating internet service provider. Many providers were equipped to assist potential subscribers with the ACP application process, sometimes having alternative application procedures. After submission, applicants typically received a confirmation of their application. Processing times could vary, but applicants were generally notified of approval or denial, sometimes with requests for additional information if initial verification was unsuccessful.