Discount toward Internet and devices
There is a program whereby Hoosiers can receive a discount on Internet service or the purchase of an Internet device. You can apply on-line at https://www.fcc.gov/acp. There are also local people who can take your information and hand you a free tablet or phone on the spot. The legitimate people NEVER ask you for money but scammers will. See https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2021/10/spot-pandemic-scam-emergency-broadband-program-impersonators.
We have a program that provides free tablet computers and phones. Please contact Bro. Ford or Bro. Nash at 260.432.0014 extension 112 or 128. Wednesday we are at Beacon Heights apartments from 11:00-1:00 and Thursday and Friday we are at Little Turtle Library Branch 10:30-12:30 with Fort Wayne Housing Authority and the Allen County Public Library where you can receive your free tablet and learn how to use it (subject to availability). For more information please contact Brenda Majors at her email or phone.
What it is
The Affordable Connectivity Program is an FCC benefit program that helps ensure that households can afford the broadband they need for work, school, healthcare and more.
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.
Who Is Eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program?
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% of the federal poverty guidelines; or
- 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.
The term Federal Poverty Guidelines is explained at https://aspe.hhs.gov/topics/poverty-economic-mobility/poverty-guidelines
HHS Poverty Guidelines for 2022
The 2022 poverty guidelines are in effect as of January 12, 2022.
Federal Register Notice, January 12, 2022 – Full text.
| 2022 POVERTY GUIDELINES FOR THE 48 CONTIGUOUS STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA | |
|---|---|
| Persons in family/household | Poverty guideline |
| 1 | $13,590 |
| 2 | $18,310 |
| 3 | $23,030 |
| 4 | $27,750 |
| 5 | $32,470 |
| 6 | $37,190 |
| 7 | $41,910 |
| 8 | $46,630 |
| For families/households with more than 8 persons, add $4,720 for each additional person. | |