The Affordable Connectivity Program, launched to combat social and economic disparities highlighted during the pandemic, offers eligible Pinellas households up to $30 per month for broadband service. There’s also a $100 in a one-time discount for a digital device. This federal program will help thousands of families gain internet access. Now these families can utilize online learning, find employment opportunities, and improve their quality of life through basic internet access.
This program will replace the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB). This program helps eligible households meet their digital needs during the pandemic and for the next five years. It covers one monthly service discount and one device discount per household. (A household is a group of people who live together and share money. While those who live together and do not share money are each their own separate household.) For many households, this can provide FREE internet service.
Applying to the Affordable Connectivity Program
Households with income at or below 200% of the national poverty line are automatically qualified for the federal program. Other households that may meet requirements for the discounts include:
- Households that participate in certain assistance programs such as SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, Federal Public Housing Assistance, WIC, Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefits, or Lifeline.
- You participate in one of several Tribal programs.
- You received a federal Pell Grant in the current award year.
- You received benefits through a school lunch or breakfast program.
- Households where any member meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider’s existing low-income program.
Interested families can apply online, by mail, or by contacting a broadband provider directly. Once an application is approved, the individual or family can contact their provider to either set up an account or to have the discount applied to their bill.
If you participated in the Emergency Broadband Program, you were automatically enrolled into the Affordable Connectivity Program and do not need to re-apply. After March 1, 2022, the maximum monthly benefit changed from EBB’s $50 per month to ACP’s $30 per month.
More information about the discounts and eligibility can be found here.
