AFFORDABLE CONNECTIVITY PROGRAM

On Nov 15, 2021 President Biden signed the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act. This act created the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The ACP is a government program, it replaces the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) program and will continue to help low-income househoulds pay for broadband service.

I was enrolled in EBB, do I need to apply for ACP?

All current EBB customers, except those that qualify through an EBB only eligibility program (i.e. substantial loss of income), will roll over into ACP.

When will my EBB discount change to ACP?

There will be a 60-day transition period. Existing EBB customers will continue to receive their EBB discount for the 60-days. Transition period is January 1st – March 1st.

How can I sign up for the Affordable Connectivity Program?

Enrollment opens on Friday, December 31, 2021 by visiting acpbenefit.org

You need to go online to enroll in this FCC program and receive confirmation that you are eligible. The website to verify eligibility is acpbenefit.org.

Once you are confirmed and receive your National Verifier ID Number please click this link adamsapplication to fill out an application giving Adams Cable permission to verify your status.

Once the application is complete someone from Adams Cable Service will reach out to you via e-mail to confirm your information and activate the discount on your internet account.

If you do not have internet access, the FCC will mail you paperwork to become eligible.

FCC Phone number to request forms:
1-888-CALL FCC (225-5322)

Address to mail in completed forms for approval:
ACP Support Center
Po Box 7081
London, KY 40742

When can I sign up for the Affordable Connectivity Program?

You can sign up as of December 31st.

Do I receive the funds directly each month?

No. The Affordable Connectivity Program benefit provides a monthly discount on broadband service of up to $30 per eligible household Adams Cable Service, like all participating broadband service providers, will receive the funds directly from the Affordable Connectivity Program

Who is eligible?

The ACP has different eligibility criteria than the EBB program. Households can qualify for the ACP by showing that at least one member of their household meets one of the following criteria:

• Participates in the FCC’s Lifeline Program
• Has household income at or below 200% of federal poverty limit (level adjusted from EBB)
• Participates in a Lifeline-qualifying government program
• Received a Federal Pell Grant in the current award year.
• Participates in free & reduced-price school lunch program or school breakfast program
• Participates in the Special Supplemental Nutritional Program for Woman, Infants, and Children (WIC) – New for ACP
• Qualifies for a participating provider’s existing low-income program, subject to FCC approval of that provider’s eligibility process.
• Medicaid
• Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP)
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Federal Public Housing Assistance
• Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit
• Tribal Programs for Residents for Qualifying Tribal Lands
  1. Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
  2. Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
  3. Tribal Head Start (only those households meeting its income qualifying standard)
  4. Food Distribution Program on Tribal Reservations

Households cannot use the below criteria to qualify for ACP as they did for the EBB Program:
1) A substantial loss of income (SLI) since February 29, 2020
2) Participation in a provider’s COVID-19 program

Can I apply if I have a past due balance with a provider?

Yes. Eligible customers with a past due balance or a balance in collections are eligible for the benefit and can set up an internet only account.

Can I sign up for the ACP if I am already a customer or if I was a customer in the past?

Yes. The benefit is available to eligible new, prior, and existing customers of participating providers.

Can my roommate and I each get a monthly discount?

The Affordable Connectivity Program is limited to one monthly service discount per household, which is defined as any individual or group of individuals who are living together at the same address and share income and expenses. A single residence shares an electric supply, if there is only one electric box it is only one household therefore qualifies for only one benefit.

What is Lifeline and how do I qualify?

Lifeline is the FCC’s program to help make communications services more affordable for low-income consumers. To participate in the Lifeline program, consumers must either have an income that is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or participate in certain federal assistance programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicaid, Federal Public Housing Assistance, Supplemental Security Income, or the Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit. You can see if you are eligible by reviewing the information available at lifelinesupport.org (click “Do I Qualify?”). Adams Cable Service does not meet the criteria to participate in the Lifeline program, if you qualify for Lifeline you also qualify for the ACP program.

Can I receive both the ACP and Lifeline benefits at the same time?

Yes. You can also combine these benefits with other state and local benefits where available. They can be applied to the same qualifying service or separately to a Lifeline service and an Affordable Connectivity Program service with the same or different providers. For example, an eligible household could have a Lifeline-supported mobile phone service and a separate home broadband service that is supported through the Affordable Connectivity Program.

Everyone at my child’s school receives breakfast and lunch at no cost. Do we qualify?

Yes. Households with a student enrolled in a school or school district where every student receives this benefit are eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program. This does not make enrollment in the program automatic. You must take the steps in order to enroll.

I live in a multi-unit dwelling (e.g. apartment) and we pay the property manager/landlord a monthly fee for our internet. Can I get the ACP?

Yes. If you qualify for the Affordable COnnectivity Program, talk to your property manager/landlord and ask that they work with their broadband service provider to learn more about the benefits that might be available to you and other eligible residents.

How much does broadband service cost?

The Affordable Connectivity Program provides a monthly discount for broadband service up to $30 per eligible household. The discount will be applied to your broadband service, but the ultimate cost to you will depend on the eligible plan you select from a participating provider.

If service plan I pick is under $30 per month, do I get extra money?

No. The provider is only reimbursed for the cost of the plan up to $30 per eligible household.

If the plan I pick is more than the monthly discount for broadband service, do I pay the extra myself?

Yes. You are responsible for any amount over $30 per month for broadband service under the Affordable Connectivity Program.

I currently subscribe to a bundle of services that includes internet, TV, and phone. Can I apply ACP to my monthly bill?

The Affordable Connectivity Program can be applied to the cost of a bundle that includes broadband. If your bundle also includes a TV service or phone, you will be responsible for that portion of your bill, as well as any internet services that are above the monthly ACP discount.

How long will the Affordable Connectivity Program last?

The Affordable Connectivity Program is a program that modifies and extends the EBB program. This is a temporary program with a longer term, but no end date has been determined.

How will I know the Affordable Connectivity Program is ending?

Your participating provider will provide notice about the last date or billing cycle that the full benefit will apply to your bill and the date or billing cycle that a partial benefit will apply to your bill, in addition to information about the cost of your broadband service after the program ends. Adams Cable Service will place a message on all customer’s bills each month reminding customers this is a temporary program.

What if the program funding runs out during my monthly billing cycle?

The end of the program may not be timed to your billing cycle for service. This may result in you receiving less than the full monthly service discount in the final month of the program. In the event that you might receive a partial benefit in the last month of the program, your participating provider must receive your permission before they can charge you an amount higher than what you would pay if the full Affordable Connectivity Program is applied to your broadband bill. In other words, if you were receiving a $30 discount off of your broadband bill, but based on the available funds in the program, there is only enough to provide you with a $20 discount, your provider must have your permission to charge you the additional $10. Adams Cable Service will provide 30 day notice if possible, for the end of the program.

Can I continue to receive broadband service when the Affordable Connectivity Program ends?

Yes, you can continue to receive broadband service when the ACP ends. Subscribers are opted in to continue broadband service after the ACP ends when they E-sign the agreement. Subscribers will be billed the undiscounted rate at that time. Subscribers must contact Adams Cable Service if they wish to cancel broadband service at any time.

 

Click here for the Adams application