Hello all,
It's been a while since I sent information out regarding the Affordable Connectivity Program (formerly known as the EBB - Emergency Broadband Benefit program), so here is an update! You may have patrons come into your libraries to seek assistance or further information about this program (or you may wish to utilize it yourself!) so I've listed the highlights below. To see full details regarding this FCC program, please visit their Affordable Connectivity Program website<https://www.fcc.gov/acp>.
What is the Affordable Connectivity Program?
The Affordable Connectivity Program is an FCC benefit program that helps ensure that households can afford the broadband they need for work, school, healthcare and more.
The benefit provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price.
The Affordable Connectivity Program is limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount per household.
Who is eligible to apply?
A household is eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program if the household income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines<https://www.affordableconnectivity.gov/do-i-qualify/>, OR if a member of the household meets at least one of the criteria below:
* Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year;
* Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider's existing low-income internet program;
* Participates in one of these assistance programs:
* The National School Lunch Program or the School Breakfast Program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision;
* SNAP
* Medicaid
* Federal Public Housing Assistance
* Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
* WIC
* Veterans Pension or Survivor Benefits
* or Lifeline<https://www.fcc.gov/lifeline-consumers>;
* Participates in one of these assistance programs and lives on Qualifying Tribal lands<https://www.affordableconnectivity.gov/do-i-qualify/enhanced-tribal-benefit/#qualifying-lands>:
* Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
* Tribal TANF
* Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
* Tribal Head Start (income based)
How do you know if your service provider is participating in the program?
Various internet providers, including those offering landline and wireless internet service, are participating in the Affordable Connectivity Program. Find internet service providers<https://www.fcc.gov/affordable-connectivity-program-providers> offering the benefit in your state or territory.
Is this E-Rate?
Nope. This is a totally separate program from the FCC. It is also not the FCC's ECF (Emergency Connectivity Funds) program. This program is geared towards households to apply for broadband access support.
How do you apply/enroll in the ACP?
This is a two-step process.
1. Go to AffordableConnectivity.gov<https://www.affordableconnectivity.gov/> to submit an application or print out a mail-in application.
2. Contact your preferred participating provider to select a plan and have the discount applied to your bill.
Some providers may have an alternative application that they will ask you to complete.
Eligible households must both apply for the program and contact a participating provider to select a service plan.
How can libraries be ready to help with questions?
* There is a consumer outreach toolkit available with helpful resources. The toolkit<https://www.fcc.gov/acp-consumer-outreach-toolkit> includes downloadable Affordable Connectivity Program social media images, fact sheets, and other outreach content and materials that can be customized for consumer awareness campaigns.
* And here is a helpful fact sheet to have on hand: ACP Fact Sheet: Word<https://www.fcc.gov/sites/default/files/acp_fact_sheet_3_final.docx> | PDF<https://www.fcc.gov/sites/default/files/acp_fact_sheet_3_final.pdf>
* If anyone needs to talk to someone about their eligibility or application status, they can call the ACP Support Center at (877) 384-2575
* Additionally, folks can obtain more consumer information with this helpful Affordable Connectivity Program Consumer FAQ page<https://www.fcc.gov/affordable-connectivity-program-consumer-faq>
All the best,
Liz Thigpen Schreck | Director
Ocoee River Regional Library
State E-rate Coordinator for Public Libraries
Office of Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett
718 George St., NW, Athens, TN 37303
P. (423) 745-5194 - office; (423) 649-1583 - direct
Regional Toll Free - (855) 692-8186
Fax (423) 649-1501
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