{"id":9811,"date":"2023-04-26T11:09:24","date_gmt":"2023-04-26T17:09:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nmblc.org\/?p=9811"},"modified":"2023-05-01T10:32:17","modified_gmt":"2023-05-01T16:32:17","slug":"do-you-qualify-for-lower-cost-internet-the-affordable-connectivity-program","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nmblc.org\/old-site\/do-you-qualify-for-lower-cost-internet-the-affordable-connectivity-program\/","title":{"rendered":"Do You Qualify for Lower Cost Internet? Check out the Affordable Connectivity Program."},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">With the Affordable Connectivity Program, some households might be able to get low cost or free internet service.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Affordable Connectivity Program is a benefit program to help households afford an internet connection. Access to the internet has become critical to our everyday life. In a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.un.org\/en\/content\/common-agenda-report\/assets\/pdf\/Common_Agenda_Report_English.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">2021 report<\/a>, the United Nations (UN) declared that internet access should be considered a basic human right by 2030. A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.samhsa.gov\/blog\/digital-access-super-determinant-health\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">blog by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration <\/a>(SAMHSA) says that internet access is a \u201csuper determinant\u201d of health. This means that a person\u2019s health is significantly impacted by their access to the internet.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We need the internet not only to get information, but to do school work, take advantage of job training, and receive assistance, benefits, employment, and medical care.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yet millions of households across the country cannot afford internet service at their homes. This is why the federal government started the Affordable Connectivity Program. If you meet one or more criteria, you might qualify for discounts on your home internet service. If you pair it with the <a href=\"https:\/\/nmblc.org\/internet\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Comcast Internet Essentials<\/a> package, you could get your internet for free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nmblc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Affordable-Connectivity-Program.jpg?ssl=1\" alt=\"Affordable Connectivity Program - laptop with tablet and smart phone stacked on top\" class=\"wp-image-9832\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Image Credit: Maria from Pixabay<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is the Affordable Connectivity Program?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fcc.gov\/acp\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)<\/a> comes from the FCC (Federal Communications Commission). The purpose is to help families get internet access for work, school, healthcare and more. Those who qualify for this program can receive the following benefits:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Up to a $30\/month discount on internet service<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Up to a $75\/month discount for households on qualifying Tribal lands<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer (with a co-payment of more than $10 but less than $50)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A low cost service plan that may be fully covered through the ACP<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Are you Eligible for Lower Costs on Your Internet?&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program, you must meet one or more criteria. If one or more items from the following list applies to you, you probably qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Your income is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.affordableconnectivity.gov\/do-i-qualify\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">at or below the poverty level<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You or your dependent currently get assistance such as SNAP, Medicaid, Federal Public Housing Assistance, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), WIC, Veterans Pension or Survivor Benefits<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You received a Federal Pell Grant this year<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You are already participating in an existing low-income internet program<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You live on Tribal lands and receive assistance such as Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Tribal TANF, Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, Tribal Head Start<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Apply for the Affordable Connectivity Program<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">See if you qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program here:&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.affordableconnectivity.gov\/do-i-qualify\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">https:\/\/www.affordableconnectivity.gov\/do-i-qualify\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Apply online here: <a href=\"https:\/\/nv.fcc.gov\/lifeline?awsl=button-from-homepage-apply&amp;id=acp&amp;ln=RW5nbGlzaA%3D%3D\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">https:\/\/nv.fcc.gov\/lifeline?awsl=button-from-homepage-apply&amp;id=acp&amp;ln=RW5nbGlzaA%3D%3D<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you need access to a computer with internet to apply for the Affordable Connectivity Program, visit your <a href=\"https:\/\/abqlibrary.org\/home\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">nearest library<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Read the NMBLC blog on the International District Library and all the benefits of your free library card: <a href=\"https:\/\/nmblc.org\/international-district-library-opens-in-albuquerque\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">https:\/\/nmblc.org\/international-district-library-opens-in-albuquerque\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide is-style-wide--1\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Connect with NMBLC on Social<\/h6>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-social-links is-style-logos-only is-layout-flex wp-block-social-links-is-layout-flex\"><li class=\"wp-social-link wp-social-link-facebook wp-block-social-link\"><a rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/nmblc\" class=\"wp-block-social-link-anchor\"><svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M12 2C6.5 2 2 6.5 2 12c0 5 3.7 9.1 8.4 9.9v-7H7.9V12h2.5V9.8c0-2.5 1.5-3.9 3.8-3.9 1.1 0 2.2.2 2.2.2v2.5h-1.3c-1.2 0-1.6.8-1.6 1.6V12h2.8l-.4 2.9h-2.3v7C18.3 21.1 22 17 22 12c0-5.5-4.5-10-10-10z\"><\/path><\/svg><span class=\"wp-block-social-link-label screen-reader-text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\n<li class=\"wp-social-link wp-social-link-instagram wp-block-social-link\"><a rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/newmexicoblack\/\" class=\"wp-block-social-link-anchor\"><svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M12,4.622c2.403,0,2.688,0.009,3.637,0.052c0.877,0.04,1.354,0.187,1.671,0.31c0.42,0.163,0.72,0.358,1.035,0.673 c0.315,0.315,0.51,0.615,0.673,1.035c0.123,0.317,0.27,0.794,0.31,1.671c0.043,0.949,0.052,1.234,0.052,3.637 s-0.009,2.688-0.052,3.637c-0.04,0.877-0.187,1.354-0.31,1.671c-0.163,0.42-0.358,0.72-0.673,1.035 c-0.315,0.315-0.615,0.51-1.035,0.673c-0.317,0.123-0.794,0.27-1.671,0.31c-0.949,0.043-1.233,0.052-3.637,0.052 s-2.688-0.009-3.637-0.052c-0.877-0.04-1.354-0.187-1.671-0.31c-0.42-0.163-0.72-0.358-1.035-0.673 c-0.315-0.315-0.51-0.615-0.673-1.035c-0.123-0.317-0.27-0.794-0.31-1.671C4.631,14.688,4.622,14.403,4.622,12 s0.009-2.688,0.052-3.637c0.04-0.877,0.187-1.354,0.31-1.671c0.163-0.42,0.358-0.72,0.673-1.035 c0.315-0.315,0.615-0.51,1.035-0.673c0.317-0.123,0.794-0.27,1.671-0.31C9.312,4.631,9.597,4.622,12,4.622 M12,3 C9.556,3,9.249,3.01,8.289,3.054C7.331,3.098,6.677,3.25,6.105,3.472C5.513,3.702,5.011,4.01,4.511,4.511 c-0.5,0.5-0.808,1.002-1.038,1.594C3.25,6.677,3.098,7.331,3.054,8.289C3.01,9.249,3,9.556,3,12c0,2.444,0.01,2.751,0.054,3.711 c0.044,0.958,0.196,1.612,0.418,2.185c0.23,0.592,0.538,1.094,1.038,1.594c0.5,0.5,1.002,0.808,1.594,1.038 c0.572,0.222,1.227,0.375,2.185,0.418C9.249,20.99,9.556,21,12,21s2.751-0.01,3.711-0.054c0.958-0.044,1.612-0.196,2.185-0.418 c0.592-0.23,1.094-0.538,1.594-1.038c0.5-0.5,0.808-1.002,1.038-1.594c0.222-0.572,0.375-1.227,0.418-2.185 C20.99,14.751,21,14.444,21,12s-0.01-2.751-0.054-3.711c-0.044-0.958-0.196-1.612-0.418-2.185c-0.23-0.592-0.538-1.094-1.038-1.594 c-0.5-0.5-1.002-0.808-1.594-1.038c-0.572-0.222-1.227-0.375-2.185-0.418C14.751,3.01,14.444,3,12,3L12,3z M12,7.378 c-2.552,0-4.622,2.069-4.622,4.622S9.448,16.622,12,16.622s4.622-2.069,4.622-4.622S14.552,7.378,12,7.378z M12,15 c-1.657,0-3-1.343-3-3s1.343-3,3-3s3,1.343,3,3S13.657,15,12,15z M16.804,6.116c-0.596,0-1.08,0.484-1.08,1.08 s0.484,1.08,1.08,1.08c0.596,0,1.08-0.484,1.08-1.08S17.401,6.116,16.804,6.116z\"><\/path><\/svg><span class=\"wp-block-social-link-label screen-reader-text\">Instagram<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\n<li class=\"wp-social-link wp-social-link-linkedin wp-block-social-link\"><a rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/72775102\" class=\"wp-block-social-link-anchor\"><svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M19.7,3H4.3C3.582,3,3,3.582,3,4.3v15.4C3,20.418,3.582,21,4.3,21h15.4c0.718,0,1.3-0.582,1.3-1.3V4.3 C21,3.582,20.418,3,19.7,3z M8.339,18.338H5.667v-8.59h2.672V18.338z M7.004,8.574c-0.857,0-1.549-0.694-1.549-1.548 c0-0.855,0.691-1.548,1.549-1.548c0.854,0,1.547,0.694,1.547,1.548C8.551,7.881,7.858,8.574,7.004,8.574z M18.339,18.338h-2.669 v-4.177c0-0.996-0.017-2.278-1.387-2.278c-1.389,0-1.601,1.086-1.601,2.206v4.249h-2.667v-8.59h2.559v1.174h0.037 c0.356-0.675,1.227-1.387,2.526-1.387c2.703,0,3.203,1.779,3.203,4.092V18.338z\"><\/path><\/svg><span class=\"wp-block-social-link-label screen-reader-text\">LinkedIn<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Read the UpLift Chronicles: <\/h6>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/nmblc.org\/uplift\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"><strong>https:\/\/nmblc.org\/uplift\/<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Subscribe to the UpLift Chronicles<\/h6>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cognitoforms.com\/NewMexicoBlackLeadershipCouncil\/nmblcupliftchroniclessubscription\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Subscribe<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:29px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nmblc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/ShannonMoreauLI-1024x768.jpg?resize=256%2C192&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Shannon Moreau\" class=\"wp-image-5523\" width=\"256\" height=\"192\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nmblc.org\/old-site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/ShannonMoreauLI.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nmblc.org\/old-site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/ShannonMoreauLI.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nmblc.org\/old-site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/ShannonMoreauLI.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nmblc.org\/old-site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/ShannonMoreauLI.jpg?resize=510%2C382&amp;ssl=1 510w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nmblc.org\/old-site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/ShannonMoreauLI.jpg?resize=1080%2C810&amp;ssl=1 1080w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nmblc.org\/old-site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/ShannonMoreauLI.jpg?resize=980%2C735&amp;ssl=1 980w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nmblc.org\/old-site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/ShannonMoreauLI.jpg?resize=480%2C360&amp;ssl=1 480w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nmblc.org\/old-site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/ShannonMoreauLI.jpg?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 256px) 100vw, 256px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Shannon Moreau is the Editor of the NMBLC EQ Blog<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>With the Affordable Connectivity Program, some households might be able to get low cost or free internet service.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":9835,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_EventAllDay":false,"_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":false,"_EventShowMapLink":false,"_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":[],"_EventVenueID":[],"_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueState":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_VenueShowMap":false,"_VenueShowMapLink":false,"_themeisle_gutenberg_block_has_review":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[28,12,27],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9811","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-civic-engagement","category-eq-online","category-health"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nmblc.org\/old-site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Affordable-Connectivity-Program-Resized-1.png?fit=768%2C480&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/nmblc.org\/old-site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9811","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/nmblc.org\/old-site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/nmblc.org\/old-site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nmblc.org\/old-site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nmblc.org\/old-site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9811"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/nmblc.org\/old-site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9811\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9858,"href":"https:\/\/nmblc.org\/old-site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9811\/revisions\/9858"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nmblc.org\/old-site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9835"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/nmblc.org\/old-site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9811"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nmblc.org\/old-site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9811"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nmblc.org\/old-site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9811"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}