If you are a Food Stamps beneficiary looking for a way to get free WiFi Food stamps. SNAP is a federal government program that provides food-purchasing assistance to low-income families.
Let’s look at how you can use food stamps to get yourself free internet.
How To Get Free WiFi With Food Stamps
Food Stamps, now known as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), is a federal initiative to provide low-income homes the food purchasing capacity.
With Food Stamps or SNAP, you can purchase groceries from stores that accept EBT as a payment method, such as H-Mart, Walmart, Aldi, and more.
This program is only designed to feed low-income families, not to provide them with the internet. ACP and Lifeline, two assistance programs that rely on Food Stamps as an eligibility criterion, will provide free internet to Food Stamp beneficiaries.
You can also get free tablets with Food Stamps if you participate in any of the below-shared Government aid programs.
Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)
Affordable Connectivity Program ACP is a government assistance initiative by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to provide mobile service discounts or free Wi-Fi services to low-income people. ACP program provides a monthly discount of up to $30 and $75(Qualified Tribal Lands) on internet bills. A one-time discount of $100 toward the purchase of a device like tablets, laptops, and smartphones.
Lifeline Assistance program
The Lifeline Assistance program is also an FCC initiative from 35 years ago. The program offers wireless services to low-income people with other benefits like unlimited free voice, texts, monthly data, etc. It offers discounts up to $9 and $34(Qualified Tribal Lands) on monthly bills.
Free WiFi With Food Stamps Eligibility
If you already receive Food Stamp or SNAP benefits, you can directly apply for ACP and Lifeline programs, as both of them mention Food Stamps in their eligibility criteria.
You can still apply for ACP and Lifeline programs if you are not a beneficiary of Food Stamps or SNAP. However, in this case, you will have to meet these program-specific eligibility criteria.
You may qualify for the ACP or Lifeline program on your income basis. For ACP, your annual income should be below 200% of the federal poverty guideline, and to qualify for the Lifeline program; it should be below 135% of the federal poverty threshold.
Suppose you can not qualify for these programs on your income basis. In that case, If you or any family member benefits from any government assistance program such as Medicaid, Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA), Tribal Programs, SSI, etc., you can apply for the ACP or Lifeline program.
Do you know that government also offers free home phone service for people on Food Stamps?
Apply For Free WiFi With Food Stamps
As mentioned previously, you automatically become eligible for ACP and Lifeline as a Food Stamps beneficiary. The next step is to apply for the ACP or Lifeline program, whichever is available in your state.
Online application
You can apply for the ACP online by visiting “https://www.getinternet.gov/” and for the Lifeline program by visiting the National Verifier website “https://www.getinternet.gov/apply” Complete the application form with all the correct information and documentation.
Once your application is approved, you will get 90 days to register with any ACP or Lifeline provider in your state.
Application via mail
You may apply for these programs via mail. For that, you must take a printout of the application form for the ACP and Lifeline program, attach the eligibility documents, and send the application to Lifeline/ACP office.
You can download the ACP form by visiting “affordableconnectivity.gov/wp-content/uploads/ACP-Application-Form-English.pdf ” and sending it to Federal Communications Commission 45 L Street NE Washington, DC 20554
The Lifeline application is available at “lifelinesupport.org/wp-content/uploads/documents/get-lifeline/LI_Application_NVstates.pdf.” Mail the form to this address USAC Lifeline Support Center P.O. Box 9100 Wilkes-Barre, PA 18773
How to apply for Food Stamps?
If you are not a Food Stamps beneficiary, you must first apply for the Food Stamps program and then the Lifeline and ACP programs.
To apply for Food Stamps, visit your local SNAP office, check your state agency’s website, or call your state’s toll-free SNAP Information hotline. The agency will guide you regarding the Food Stamps application.
Free WiFi With Food Stamps Benefits
You get free internet services with Food Stamps or SNAP through the ACP and the Lifeline program, and the benefits of these programs vary for different providers.
However, if you qualify for the ACP program, you can get up to a $30 monthly discount on internet services and up to a $75 monthly discount for Tribal land.
The Lifeline program offers discounts on qualifying monthly phone services, broadband internet service, and bundled voice-broadband packages bought from Lifeline participating wireless providers.
Network Providers That Offer Free WiFi With Food Stamps
Many network providers offer free or discounted internet services with Food Stamps or SNAP through the ACP and Lifeline programs. Some even provide a combination of both program’s benefits, known as lifeline and ACP combo.
AT&T
AT&T is a renowned network service provider that offers free internet to low-income people and free internet devices like tablets and smartphones through ACP or Lifeline programs. This service does not include any yearly commitment or deposit. You get free installation and in-home Wi-Fi.
You may contact AT&T at 877-366-0497 to check your options after being approved for the ACP or Lifeline and set up your service.
Cox
Cox offers discounted internet service for students and their parents who are members of Food Stamps or SNAP-eligible families or those who benefit from the National School Lunch Program. You may receive up to 50 Mbps internet for $9.95 monthly, a few self-installable modems, including a connection for up to five devices simultaneously.
Comcast Xfinity
Comcast Xfinity offers free internet through ACP, and their combo is known as Internet Essentials Plus. The provider offers special internet rates of up to 100 Mbps and great hotspot connectivity. You can get this bundle for $24.95 for unlimited 5G mobile service and internet.
Internet First
Internet First provides up to 50 Mbps for $9.95 monthly for qualified consumers in specific states, including California, D.C., Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington. You can get the first 60 days of service for free with no credit check, commitment, or installation fee offer.
Spectrum
Spectrum has joined the ACP and Lifeline program to offer discounted internet access to low-income people. The provider is the ideal option for someone who wishes to combine an internet connection with a television, a landline, or a mobile phone. With Spectrum, you can get a free internet modem, 30 Mbps high-speed internet, and an additional Wi-Fi option for your household.
Non-Profit Organizations That Offer Free WiFi With Food Stamps
Besides the government, many non-profit organizations also offer free Wi-Fi to help disadvantaged low-income people access the internet to carry out their work.
Below are a few non-profit organizations offering free Wi-Fi with Food Stamps.
The Salvation Army
This is a global organization working for the improvement of people worldwide. The organization provides low-income people food, clothing, shelter, furniture, bed, etc.
The Salvation Army also offers free Wi-Fi to people to help them access employment and education, leading to a significant career opportunity. You can get more information about free Wi-Fi with Food Stamps by visiting the Salvation Army’s official website or nearby office.
PCs for People
PCs for People is another non-profit institution offering low-income people free computers, low-cost internet services, laptops, tablets, and free Wi-Fi. The organization also participates in the Affordable Connectivity Program to offer several benefits.
To get more information about the organization, please visit its official website at https://www.pcsforpeople.org/
Human-I-T
Human-I-T is a non-profit organization that empowers people with digital tools and resources intending to reduce e-waste. The institution is a registered Microsoft Refurbisher, meaning they take e-waste, old or used computers, and refurbish them by installing genuine Microsoft software.
These registered refurbishers provide these laptops and computers to various NGOs, charities, and people in need. Human-I-T is also an ACP provider that offers eligible families free internet plans with high-speed data at reasonable prices.
You can learn more about Human-I-T at their official website at https://www.human-i-t.org.
FAQ
Can I get free WiFi with Food stamps?
You can get free Wi-Fi with Food Stamps by qualifying for the ACP or Lifeline program.
Can I apply to both ACP and Lifeline programs?
You can apply to both ACP and Lifeline programs of different providers. In fact, some providers provide ACP and Lifeline combined benefits. Check what program is available and apply accordingly.
Can I apply for ACP and Lifeline if I am not a Food Stamp or SNAP beneficiary?
Yes. Even when you are not a Food Stamp or SNAP beneficiary, you can still apply for the Lifeline or ACP program based on the program’s other eligibility criteria.
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