1.0Citizens Utility Boardhttps://www.citizensutilityboard.orgrich600338<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="rMTsEZFDhO"><a href="https://www.citizensutilityboard.org/affordable_connectivity_program/">Affordable Connectivity Program</a></blockquote><iframe sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" src="https://www.citizensutilityboard.org/affordable_connectivity_program/embed/#?secret=rMTsEZFDhO" width="600" height="338" title="“Affordable Connectivity Program” — Citizens Utility Board" data-secret="rMTsEZFDhO" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" class="wp-embedded-content"></iframe><script type="text/javascript"> /* <![CDATA[ */ /*! This file is auto-generated */ !function(d,l){"use strict";l.querySelector&&d.addEventListener&&"undefined"!=typeof URL&&(d.wp=d.wp||{},d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage||(d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage=function(e){var t=e.data;if((t||t.secret||t.message||t.value)&&!/[^a-zA-Z0-9]/.test(t.secret)){for(var s,r,n,a=l.querySelectorAll('iframe[data-secret="'+t.secret+'"]'),o=l.querySelectorAll('blockquote[data-secret="'+t.secret+'"]'),c=new RegExp("^https?:$","i"),i=0;i<o.length;i++)o[i].style.display="none";for(i=0;i<a.length;i++)s=a[i],e.source===s.contentWindow&&(s.removeAttribute("style"),"height"===t.message?(1e3<(r=parseInt(t.value,10))?r=1e3:~~r<200&&(r=200),s.height=r):"link"===t.message&&(r=new URL(s.getAttribute("src")),n=new URL(t.value),c.test(n.protocol))&&n.host===r.host&&l.activeElement===s&&(d.top.location.href=t.value))}},d.addEventListener("message",d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage,!1),l.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded",function(){for(var e,t,s=l.querySelectorAll("iframe.wp-embedded-content"),r=0;r<s.length;r++)(t=(e=s[r]).getAttribute("data-secret"))||(t=Math.random().toString(36).substring(2,12),e.src+="#?secret="+t,e.setAttribute("data-secret",t)),e.contentWindow.postMessage({message:"ready",secret:t},"*")},!1)))}(window,document); /* ]]> */ </script> [vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Affordable Connectivity Program” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:24|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”5/6″][vc_column_text] [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”5/6″][vc_column_text]The Affordable Connectivity Program is a new benefit program through the Federal Communications Commission that helps ensure households can afford the broadband they need for work, school, healthcare and more.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator color=”custom” align=”align_left” css=”.vc_custom_1475699807900{background-color: #0f4b91 !important;}”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”What benefits does the program offer?” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:24|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”5/6″][vc_column_text]The benefit provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price. The Affordable Connectivity Program is limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount per household.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator color=”custom” align=”align_left” css=”.vc_custom_1475699807900{background-color: #0f4b91 !important;}”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”How do I qualify for the program?” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:24|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”5/6″][vc_column_text]A household is eligible if a member of the household meets at least one of the criteria below: Has an income that is at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines; Participates in certain assistance programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid, Federal Public Housing Assistance, SSI, WIC, or Lifeline; Participates in Tribal specific programs, such as Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Tribal TANF, or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations; Is approved to receive benefits under the free and reduced-price school lunch program or the school breakfast program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision in the 2019-2020, 2020-2021 or 2021-2022 school year; Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year; or Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider’s existing low-income program. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator color=”custom” align=”align_left” css=”.vc_custom_1475699807900{background-color: #0f4b91 !important;}”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Do all internet providers offer the discount?” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:24|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”5/6″][vc_column_text]Not all broadband providers are participating in the Affordable Connectivity Program. Find broadband service providers offering the benefit in your state or territory by following this link. Service providers can find more information about how to participate here.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator color=”custom” align=”align_left” css=”.vc_custom_1475699807900{background-color: #0f4b91 !important;}”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”How can I apply?” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:24|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”5/6″][vc_column_text]Eligible households must apply for the program AND contact a participating provider to select a service plan. Go to ACPBenefit.org to submit an application or print out a mail-in application. Contact your preferred participating provider to select a plan and have the discount applied to your bill. Note: Some providers may have an alternative application that they will ask you to complete. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator color=”custom” align=”align_left” css=”.vc_custom_1475699807900{background-color: #0f4b91 !important;}”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Why is the FCC offering assistance?” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:24|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”5/6″][vc_column_text]The COVID-19 pandemic has hastened our adoption of a digital society. Schooling, jobs, doctors’ visits, family gatherings, utility bill consultations, therapy: all these events can and have been held remotely the past years thanks to a combination of internet and technology. But as millions were in sudden need of reliable, affordable internet service to access these resources from home, the pandemic illuminated a growing digital divide. Many rural and low-income communities lack reliable, affordable internet access or cannot afford it. The Affordable Connectivity Program was created to help close the gap and provide internet to those who may not […]https://www.citizensutilityboard.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/CUB_IL_LogoBadgeRGBAdminLogo.png254254