IT’S ALL CONNECTED

GUESS WHAT? THE INTERNET IS A BASIC HUMAN RIGHT AND HERE’S HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS…

Access to the internet has become critical to our everyday life. With the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), households struggling to get up to speed can qualify for low-cost or free internet service. And it’s important to understand why, so keep reading...

In a 2021 report, the United Nations (UN) declared that internet access should be considered a basic human right by 2030. A blog by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) says that internet access is a “super determinant” of health. That means that a person’s health and wellbeing is significantly impacted by their access to the internet.

The internet isn’t just a multiverse of information; we should be able to readily do our schoolwork, access job training, perform employment duties, and receive assistance, benefits, and medical care.

Yet millions of households across the country cannot afford internet service at their homes, which is why the federal government started ACP. If you meet one or more criteria, you might qualify for discounts on your home internet service. And if you match ACP with the Comcast Internet Essentials package, you could get your internet for free.

WHAT ARE THE AFFORDABLE CONNECTIVITY PROGRAM DEETS?

ACP is offered by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Its purpose is to help families with internet access for work, school, healthcare, and more. Those who qualify for this program can receive the following benefits:

■ up to $30/month discount on internet service

■ up to $75/month discount for households on qualifying tribal lands

■ a one-time discount of up to $100 toward purchasing a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer

■ a low-cost service plan that may be fully covered through ACP

ARE YOU ELIGIBLE FOR ACP’S LOWER INTERNET COSTS?

To qualify for ACP, you must meet one or more criteria. If something from the following list fits, you probably qualify:

■ your income is at or below the poverty level

■ you or your dependent currently get assistance like SNAP, Medicaid, federal public housing assistance, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), WIC, Veterans Pension, or Survivors Benefits

■ you received a Federal Pell Grant this year

■ you are already participating in an existing low-income internet program

■ you live on Tribal lands and receive assistance such as Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Tribal TANF, Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, or Tribal Head Start

If you need access to a computer to apply for ACP, visit your nearest library. Please see the below QRs below to get yourself connected!

Qualify for ACP?