Did you know that Florida EBT cardholders can now qualify to receive a free or discounted monthly internet bill? Yes, it’s true! The $30 ACP internet credit provides eligible households with discounted internet for Florida EBT Cardholders!
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) helps low-income Florida households pay for the internet service needed for work, school, healthcare and more.
Your household may be eligible to receive a $30 monthly internet credit if you currently participate in a government assistance program, such as food stamps, or meet the income requirements.
To learn more about the Affordable Connectivity Program, including how to qualify and apply with your Florida EBT Card, then continue reading below.
In this article, we will cover:
- Affordable Connectivity Program Overview
- Discounted Internet Eligibility
- $30 ACP Credit Income Requirements
- How to Apply for the ACP Internet Discount in Florida
- Documents Needed to Apply
- Florida ACP Internet Providers
- ACP Internet Credit FAQs
What is the Affordable Connectivity Program?
The Affordable Connectivity Program is a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program that helps ensure that households can afford the broadband they need for work, school, healthcare and more.
The ACP replaces the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBB) that helped families and households struggling to afford internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic.
To learn more about the Affordable Connectivity Program, including recent changes made to the program, read our complete article on Discounted Internet for EBT Cardholders.
How much of a discount will I receive on my internet?
If your household is eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program, you can 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 towards the purchase of an eligible laptop, tablet, or desktop computer
To learn more about the discounted internet program available to Florida EBT Cardholders, including how to qualify for the $30 ACP internet credit, then continue reading below.
Discounted Internet for Florida EBT Cardholders
There are three ways your household can qualify for free or discounted internet in Florida. To be eligible for the $30 ACP internet credit your household must meet one of the guidelines in order to receive the discount through your internet provider each month.
Here are the ways your household can qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP):
- Based on your household income
- If you or your child or dependent participate in certain government assistance programs such as SNAP, Medicaid, WIC, or other programs
- If you or your child or dependent already receives a Lifeline benefit
To learn more about the three qualifications listed above and to find out if you are eligible, continue reading below.
Income Eligibility for ACP Internet Discount
The first way to qualify for discounted internet is based on your household income. You can qualify to get the $30 ACP Internet Credit if your income is 200% or less than the Federal Poverty Guidelines. These guidelines are based on your state and household size. Use the table below to see if your household income qualifies for the monthly ACP internet credit.
The table below reflects 200% of the 2022 Federal Poverty Guidelines:
| 2022 Federal Poverty Guidelines for Florida Residents | |
| Household Size | Household Income |
| 1 | $25,760 |
| 2 | $34,840 |
| 3 | $43,920 |
| 4 | $53,000 |
| 5 | $62,080 |
| 6 | $71,160 |
| 7 | $80,240 |
| 8 | $89,320 |
| For each additional person, add: | +$9,080 |
Please note, you may be asked to provide proof of income when applying for the ACP internet credit. This can include a current tax return or three consecutive pay stubs.
To learn more about the income verification you may be asked to provide, continue reading this article. We will cover that information in the next section.
If you are currently receiving benefits from another government assistance program such as SNAP EBT, you may automatically qualify for the $30 internet credit. To learn more, continue reading below.
ACP Government Assistance Qualifications
The second way to qualify for the ACP internet discount is through your current Florida assistance benefits. If you are currently enrolled and receiving benefits through another government assistance program (such as Florida food stamps), you may automatically qualify for the $30 ACP internet credit.
Florida Assistance Programs that Qualify for ACP
You can get ACP if you or someone in your household also participates in one of the following Florida assistance benefits programs:
- Food Stamps or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Medicaid (MA)
- Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
- Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit (VA SBP)
- Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch Program (NSLP)
- School Breakfast Program (SBP)
- USDA Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) schools in the 2019-20, 2020-21, or 2021-22 school year
- Received a Federal Pell Grant in the current award year
Please note, you may be asked to provide proof of enrollment in any of the following programs listed above. This can include a card, letter, or official document that shows your participation in one of the programs.
To learn more about this, continue reading and skip to the next section.
ACP Tribal Assistance Program
If you live on qualifying Tribal lands in Florida, you can get an increased ACP internet credit through the enhanced tribal benefit program. ACP Tribal Benefit recipients can get up to a $75 per month credit on their internet service.
To qualify, your household income must be at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Additionally, you can also qualify if you or someone in your household participates in:
- Any of the federal assistance programs listed above
- Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) General Assistance
- Head Start Program (only households meeting the income qualifications)
- Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF)
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)
Please note, you will be asked to provide proof of participation in any of the programs listed above.
To learn more about the enhanced Tribal Benefit through the Affordable Connectivity Program, click here.
If You Already Receive a Lifeline Benefit
The third way you can qualify for a monthly internet credit is through the Lifeline Program. If you already receive a Lifeline benefit for discounted monthly phone service, you can automatically qualify for the $30 ACP internet credit.
You will be able to receive both the Lifeline phone and ACP internet credit at the same time.
Additionally, you can apply for the ACP internet benefit through the same or separate company you are using for the Lifeline Program.
Contact your internet company directly to learn more about adding the ACP internet discount.
To learn more about the Lifeline Program and other Florida EBT Card discounts, read our article here.
ACP Application Information
If you believe you qualify for the $30 ACP Internet Credit based on the eligibility standards listed above, your next step is to submit your application.
If you wish to apply apply for the ACP internet credit, you will be asked to provide the following information:
- You full legal name
- Phone Number
- Date of Birth
- Email Address
- Social Security Number
- Home & Mailing Address
- Information for Household Members
- Household Income
- Government Assistance Information (if applicable)
Be sure to have this information ready prior to completing your application for discounted internet.
How to Apply for the $30 ACP Internet Credit in Florida
There are three ways to apply for discounted internet through the Affordable Connectivity Program – online, by mail, and through your local internet provider.
We will walk you through the step-by-step process on how to apply using each of the three methods below.
Already a Lifeline participant?
Contact your internet company directly to enroll! You do not need to apply again to receive the $30 ACP internet credit.
Option #1 – Apply Online
The quickest and easiest way to apply for the ACP internet credit is online. To complete your application online, visit the ACP Application page on the Check Lifeline website or go to ACPBenefit.org.
Complete the information and proceed to login or create a Lifeline online account.
Option #2 – Submit your Application by Mail
The second way to complete the ACP Application is by mail. To submit your application for the $30 internet credit, print out the application here.
Once you’ve completed your application and Household Worksheet, mail both to the ACP Support Center.
Mail your completed ACP Application to:
ACP Support Center
PO Box 7081
London, KY 40742
To ensure faster application processing, be sure to include copies of your verification documents.
Option #3 – Contact your Internet Provider
The last option to apply for the ACP internet discount is directly through your internet provider. If you already have an internet provider, contact them to see if they participate in the Affordable Connectivity Program.
Additionally, you can use this online tool to find an ACP provider near you.
If you are already enrolled and participating in the Lifeline Program for discounted phone service, contact your provider to take advantage of the ACP internet discount.
Congratulations! You’ve now successfully submitted your application to receive a monthly $30 internet credit!
If you apply online, you may receive an immediate approval. If your eligibility can not be approved automatically, you will receive an email or letter requesting additional documentation.
To learn more about the verification documentation, continue reading below.
After you’re Approved for ACP Internet Discount
Once your ACP application has been approved for $30 internet credit each month, here’s what you need to do:
- Find the local ACP participating companies near you.
- Choose an eligible internet provider.
- Sign up for internet service.
- Find out what additional services are available for ACP recipients.
Once you’ve completed these steps, the $30 ACP internet credit will automatically be deducted from your bill each month.
To find an eligible Florida ACP internet provider near you, continue reading below.
Florida ACP Internet Providers
Currently, Florida has 66 ACP internet providers. We’ve provided a list of all the Florida companies offering discounted internet to EBT Cardholders below.
ACP Internet Discount FAQs
Check out the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the ACP Internet Discount for Florida EBT Cardholders.
Can I sign up for the ACP internet discount if I am already an internet customer?
Yes, the Affordable Connectivity Program internet credit is available to eligible new, past and current customers of participating ACP internet providers.
This means if you are a Comcast Xfinity internet customer, you can still apply for the $30 ACP internet credit with them.
Can I apply for the ACP internet credit if I have a past due internet bill?
Yes, eligible Florida households with a past due balance or a balance in collections are still eligible for the ACP Internet benefit.
Will I have to provide proof of my income?
Yes, to complete your ACP Application you may be asked to provide proof of your household income.
Approved income documentation can include:
- The prior year’s tax return
- Three consecutive pay stubs
- Current income statement
- Social Security, Veterans Administration, Unemployment, Worker’s Compensation or Retirement statement of benefits
Will I receive a check each month?
No, the Affordable Connectivity Program provides a discount on your internet service. This discount is applied directly off your monthly internet bill. You will not be sent a check in the mail or electronic transfer.
What happens if my income no longer qualifies for the ACP internet credit?
If you no longer qualify for the ACP benefit (such as your income exceeds the income level or you no longer participate in a qualifying benefits program), you must notify your ACP internet provider or the ACP administrator within 30 days.
Discounted Internet for Florida EBT Cardholders Summary
We hope this post about the free or discounted internet for Florida EBT Cardholders was helpful to you! If you have any additional questions about the $30 ACP internet program, including how to apply or eligibility, please let us know in the comments section below.
Did you know that Florida EBT Cardholders also qualify for other discounts and freebies?Check out the complete list of Florida EBT Discounts here.
