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Do You Need Help with Internet Costs?

California Health Advocates > Low Income Help > Do You Need Help with Internet Costs?

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Karen Fletcher

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internet costs, grandma and granddaughter high five by computer

If you or someone you know needs help with internet costs, we have some good news. You may qualify for a monthly discount on a new or existing internet service plan through a government program called the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). This program is run through the Federal Communications Commission. It also provides a one-time $100 discount to those who qualify to buy a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers.

You likely qualify if your household’s income is below 200% of the Federal Poverty Line, and/or if you or someone you live with currently receives a government benefit like Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit, Pell Grant, Free and Reduced-Price Lunch or lives in qualifying Tribal lands.

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
  • A low cost service plan that may be fully covered through the ACP (Note: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)

To apply, visit AffordableConnectivity.gov or call 1-877-384-2575 to request an application. Once your application is approved, you can contact a participating internet service provider to start receiving your monthly discount. Only one monthly service discount and one device discount is allowed per household.

Having internet access supports health and wellbeing in multiple ways, including connectivity to family, friends and community, access to health information and benefits, and access to health and advocacy services.

Visit AffordableConnectivity.gov today to see if you and/or any loved ones qualify for help with internet costs.

Karen Joy Fletcher

Our blogger Karen Joy Fletcher is CHA’s Communications Director. With a Masters in Public Health from UC Berkeley, she is the online “public face” of the organization, provides technical expertise, writing and research on Medicare and other health care issues. She is responsible for digital content creation, management of CHA’s editorial calendar, and managing all aspects of CHA’s social media presence. She loves being a “communicator” and enjoys networking and collaborating with the passionate people and agencies in the health advocacy field. See her current articles.

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