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Assistance Programs: Affordable Connectivity Program and Lifeline

The following programs are available for households who may need assistance. Each program has its own criteria and some households may qualify for both programs, significantly reducing the cost of your monthly bill.

Programs detailed on this page:

Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) Overview

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) 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.

 

Who Is Eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program?

A household is eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program if the household income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or if a member of the household meets at least one of the criteria below:

  • Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year;
  • Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider’s existing low-income internet program;
  • Participates in one of these assistance programs:
    • The National School Lunch Program or the School Breakfast Program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision;
    • SNAP
    • Medicaid
    • Federal Public Housing Assistance
    • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
    • WIC
    • Veterans Pension or Survivor Benefits
    • or Lifeline;

How to Enroll:

If you need to talk to someone about your eligibility or application status, call the ACP Support Center at
(877) 384-2575.

Apply Now

Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) FAQs

A household is eligible if one 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;
  • 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

As your provider, Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom will receive the funds directly from the Affordability Care program and apply to your account.

Yes, eligible consumers with a past due balance or a balance in collections are eligible for the benefit. The ACP does not apply to the past due balance, it will cover $30 of the current month’s invoice.

Yes, talk to us about the plans they have available as part of the Affordable Connectivity Program.

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 benefit 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.

No, you will not automatically receive ACP benefits. You must opt-in to receive the benefit with Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom in addition to your Lifeline benefit or request enrollment in the Affordable Connectivity Program with a different participating broadband provider and chose an eligible service plan.
Boats

 


Lifeline

Lifeline is a federal program that lowers the monthly cost of phone and internet. Eligible customers will get up to $5.25 toward their bill.  You can only use Lifeline for either phone or internet, but not both.  Only one Lifeline Program discount is available per household on either a wireless or wireline qualifying service. Under the Lifeline Program, a household is defined as any individual or group of individuals who live together at the same address and share income and expenses. The Lifeline Program benefit is non-transferable.

Eligibility and Application

To receive the Lifeline Program discount, residential customers must establish the eligibility of their household.

  • Apply online to the Lifeline Program through the National Verifier.
  • Or, apply on a uniform paper application directly regardless of which provider you get phone or internet service from.

More Information

Visit Universal Service Administrative Co. at www.lifelinesupport.org or call 1-800-234-9473 for more information about the Lifeline Program.