The Federal Government is aware of the people who badly need technological gadgets but neither can afford them for themselves nor for their family members. The laptop is the type of communication gadget everyone needs to accomplish their basic tasks. Students, especially those who are in college or above cannot think of their studies and research without a laptop. They are in the habit of storing all of their assignments on their laptops as it allows them to uncover the resources whenever they look for them. Even small wage earners need laptops to store and analyze their personnel and official information.
But imagine someone looking for a laptop badly and doesn’t know where to get one for free while several organizations are still donating and offering free laptops as part of the government aid program. Yes, you heard right, Food Stamps or SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) the Federal Government gives free laptop through the government assistance program. There are several organizations and telecommunication companies that the government uses as third parties to provide low-income people with free laptops.
As we said, the government provides free laptops through Food Stamps. Some other government assistance programs facilitate this offer. The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) program is the latest and large-scale program the federal government initiated to help low-income people with free internet and communication gadgets like laptops. Keep reading this article further to know how to get a Free Laptop with Food Stamps.
What is a Food Stamp?
Food Stamp is the previous title of SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). It is one of the government assistance programs for low-income people. The Federal Government established Food Stamps in the 80’s to assist low-income families with food and nutrition. Each year, millions of Americans benefit from this program. The federal government spends billions of dollars under Food Stamps.
The US Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service administers the fund. Beneficiaries of this fund can purchase food and dairy products. Families and individuals eligible for SNAP can also get free laptop computers through the ACP program in addition to food and nutrition. The only thing you need to do is to qualify for ACP using your SNAP membership and apply for the free laptop offer.
Importance of Free Laptop With Food Stamps
Whether it is the government or the citizens, the free laptop With Food Stamps is important from both sides. The government and non-government organizations want to empower underprivileged people to strengthen the economy. The policymakers understand that if there is a digital gap between solvent and low-income people it wouldn’t help the country to reach its economic goal. So empowering those people who struggle to buy essential things is the key to reaching the digital goal. There are many benefits to owning a laptop, as it gives access to information worldwide. There are several Government programs that offer free laptops. These laptops are equipped with a webcam, microphone, and Wi-Fi. This combination can benefit everyone in different ways. Anyone can easily check their mail and reply, look for jobs online, take health services, and attend events like virtual interviews.
- Using these laptops, low-income people and students can stay connected to mainstream media so they do not miss out on any digital services.
- With a free laptop from the government, jobless people can look for new jobs, work online, and make money.
- These laptops enable quick access to any information on the internet within seconds. ·
- The availability of free laptops with unlimited data, unlimited text, and unlimited minutes allows people to stay in touch with each other.
- A free laptop from the government allows students to attend online classes from anywhere. The students can also read digital articles and books online. They can also search for scholarships and apply for admission online.
- The laptop’s webcam lets senior citizens consult doctors through video calls. The entire health care of a family can be provided online through free laptops.
Food Stamps Eligibility Criteria
According to the Federal Government’s regulations, Low-income people must meet some eligibility criteria to receive the Food Stamps or SNAP. Those qualification criteria are described below.
- Work : SNAP recipients must work at least 30 to 80 hours per week. Students and caregivers (of children under the age of six, elderly individuals, disabled people, and patients in drug rehabilitation) will work an average of 30 hours per week. Adults from 18 to 49 who are not pregnant or with dependent children must work or participate in workforce training for at least 80 hours each month.
- Income : Households who have a gross monthly income of 200% or less of the federal poverty guidelines will be eligible for the SNAP.
- Resources : A household must have up to $2,250 in a bank account or equivalent sources. If anyone is disabled or older then the households may have $3,500 in their resources. Though the entire requirement of resources varies from state to state.
- Immigration status : If you are a legal immigrant in the USA and living for 5 years or more and receiving disability assistance or any other benefit, you will be allowed for the SNAP or Food Stamp benefit.
- Housing expense : When housing costs 30% or less of a household’s monthly income is considered eligible for Food Stamps.
- Student : Students who are struggling due to low income are eligible for SNAP.
Way To Get a Free Laptop With Food Stamps
If you are a Food Stamps recipient then you will be wondering if you are eligible to get a free Laptop under SNAP. The laptop is one of the essential devices in this technological world. The government allows getting free Laptops by SNAP or Food Stamp so that people can get more facilities in the virtual world especially for working online, online classes, virtual jobs, participating in training, and more. You can even get a free laptop from many nonprofit organizations or NGOs besides the Government’s program. There are various organizations in the USA that offer free laptops with Food Stamp. Food Stamp participants are usually low-income and can’t afford a high-quality laptop to stay connected.
The Federal Government wants to keep people connected in the virtual world with various devices such as laptops. That’s why the Federal Communications Commission is offering free devices and high-speed internet through the ACP program. As a Food Stamp recipient, you are eligible for the ACP program and apply for the Government’s free laptop. Please note that the provider will deliver you the free laptop from one of the specific models. But the program is not completely free and the recipient has to co-pay at around $10 and the rest will be paid by the FCC.
To get a free laptop you will have to choose a participating provider who offers free or discounted laptops under the ACP program. You may miss your desired brand and model due to the aid program and the restriction. And remember that the ACP is a temporary program and will shut down whenever the COvid-19 emergency is over. Besides, there are several organizations that offer free laptops as charity.
Why Food Stamps Provide Free Laptop?
Despite the improving lifestyle of people, there are still millions who cannot meet their basic needs every month. As the cost of laptops increases, food stamp recipients cannot afford laptops within their income range. But laptops are essential to maintain everyday virtual connections; especially for work, medical care, education, and communication. Because of the importance of laptops, the federal government offers free laptops through the Lifeline and ACP programs. Households and their members shouldn’t fall behind when it comes to digital inclusion. Otherwise, equality and digital balance in the upcoming days won’t be possible. Here is why the federal government is encouraging low-income households to take advantage of Food Stamp and get free laptops. People who are eligible for Food Stamp can receive completely free laptops. And you won’t need to worry about your monthly food subsidy when you get the free laptop. Each program works independently from the other.
Application Process to get ACP free Laptops with Food Stamps
The Federal Communications Commission states that the participants of the Food Stamps program are eligible to obtain $100 credit under the ACP program. In that case, you will just need to go through the ACP eligibility process using the Food Stamps membership. Households must provide their eligibility requests with all the required information and supporting documentation. If any member of your household enjoys the Food Stamps benefit then you can apply for the ACP $100 credit. The following steps are given below:
- Step 1 : First, you will need to go through the verification process to find out if you qualify for the $100 credit. To do so, you will need to complete the USAC online verification process. The National Verifier website will tell you whether your household qualifies or not. Your eligibility for the ACP $100 credit will be determined by the national verifier. Here the National Verifier reviews your Food Stamps information and checks the server if there is any unauthorized history. You will receive a notification on your eligibility status from the national verifier.
- Step 2 : Upon receiving confirmation of your eligibility from the National Verifier, you will need to enroll in the ACP $100 credit program via the program provider. Here you will have to choose a provider who offers free laptops to low-income customers. However, if you already have Lifeline access, you do not need to complete the eligibility process as you are already eligible. After that, you will need to fill out an online form with your information. The next step should be taken only once you have verified the validity of each piece of information. It usually takes 3 to 5 minutes for the verification and approval process.
- Step 3 : As soon as you are approved, the FCC will send you a voucher via the provider you choose and then you can get the $100 credit to buy a laptop.
Documentation Needed for Free Laptop with Food Stamps
There are several basic and program based documents required to be eligible and participate in the ACP $100 credit laptop program. The program based documentation should be related to your Food Stamps participation.
Documents required as Food Stamps participant
In order to prove your participation as a qualified candidate, you must submit these documents.
- Program award letter (Food Stamp) that clearly shows your full name and program name.
- eligibility proof document (letter from State Agency Stating that you receive this benefit)
- Food Stamp Benefit Card
Proof of ID
There are several types of ID that prove your nationality as an American. The ID you will provide should be valid and clear to visualize. Here are the ID categories that the providers usually accept.
- US Passport
- Driver’s License
- U.S. Government, Military or State I.D. (including date of birth, social security number)
- Certificate of US Citizenship/Birth certificate/Permanent resident/Social security card
- Certificate of Naturalization
- Military ID
- Permanent Resident Alien Card
What kind of free laptops can I get?
In the ACP program, you won’t know what kind of laptop you are getting. You will have to go through the approval process with the carrier first. It varies from provider to provider. Some providers offer only discounted internet and some providers offer both the internet and free laptops. Make sure that the carrier or provider offers laptops through SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) or Food Stamp. Under the ACP policy, they offer a variety of laptops, but they cannot guarantee the exact model. And you will have to accept the one they deliver. That’s entirely up to the provider. If you go to the provider’s website, you can see the brand name and model of the laptop.
The ACP $100 credit offer includes specific laptop brands and models from participating providers. To receive the ACP $100 credit for a laptop, you must choose from the specified options. These are some of the best laptops from the ACP $100 credit program:
- Microsoft Surface Laptop
- HP Spectre X 360
- Asus ZenBook 13 Ultra-slim Laptop
- Acer Spin 5 Convertible
Organizations that provide Free Laptop with Food Stamps
Other than the ACP, you can obtain free laptops in various ways. Lifeline is the most popular program where you can get free laptops. In addition to Lifeline, there are several other nonprofits and charities that provide the government’s free laptops. Various organizations also provide this service. We are introducing some of the organizations that give free laptops with Food Stamp.
PCs for People
PCs for People is one of the few key providers offering Free laptop packages compatible with remote work. The organization began in various states in 1998. They deliver laptops from renowned brands like HP, Dell, and Lenovo. The packages include licensed Windows 10 and MS Office. There is an AC adapter included with every laptop. Applicants are required to meet strict guidelines, which are based on federal poverty guidelines.
Salvation Army
Salvation Army is a renowned non-profit organization that provides basic services to the public for the benefit of society. Besides that, they offer free devices such as tablets, laptops and desktop computers to only eligible people. Go to their website to check details on it.
CTAC (Computer Technology Assistance Corporation)
CTAC is another organization that offers aid to low-income households and individuals. They will help you to get a free laptop based on your income status. They work with the Federal government and technology-based businesses such as Microsoft to alleviate the digital divide. Just contact them and let them know your situation.
Accelerated school program
This program offers free laptops to low-income people. In most cases, they usually offer a new device as a loan. In that case, you must provide security money for around $100. You will get this amount back after returning the laptop.
Computer with Causes
It is a federal initiative that provides refurbished devices like laptops. If you feel comfortable with a refurbished laptop then just contact them online. It’s a recycling company and offers various recycled devices, especially to its applicants.
Adaptive.Org
This website is known to many people. It offers free laptops especially to students, low-income people, disabled persons, and those underprivileged persons. But they require some exceptional service. To get this facility you may require some extra effort such as you have to do 10 hours of community service.
Komputer 4 kids
This volunteer organization helps low-income households get refurbished laptops. They donate laptops especially to students who need it in their study and research.
Computer for learning
This company offers free laptops to many schools, colleges, and educational institutions to empower digital education. Simply contact them to get assistance as an individual or institution.
World computer exchange
The world computer Exchange provides free laptops and free internet service especially to youths who need them. This organization works with the Governments, NGOs, libraries, and other organizations to support people with digital devices. To get a free laptop, just contact them, their partners and stakeholders will help you get internet and a free laptop.
Alliance for Technology
Alliance for Technology offers refurbished laptops for free. The Alliance for technology promotes the recycling and reuses of non-profit technology to help people to meet their needs. It is a project of the National Cristina Foundation that was established thirty years ago.
Is free internet available for a Free Laptop with Food Stamps?
To use a laptop, you must have a connection to high-speed internet. Surprisingly, you will be qualified for free internet from many service providers. Many of them ensure to provide high-speed internet at a low cost. When a service provider offers a free laptop but does not provide high-speed internet at a low price then contact another ISP that is available in your area. The Federal Government has established some benefit programs; currently ACP (Affordable Connectivity Program) is one of them. As you are a Food Stamp participant, you can receive free or discounted internet access through the acp program. Under this program, eligible households can get up to a $50 monthly discount and up to a $75 monthly discount is only applicable for tribal lands. So, if you can limit your monthly usage under a $50 plan, then you don’t have to pay anything else which means it’s free. This program is designed to facilitate households who are struggling to maintain internet services due to the ongoing pandemic. There are hundreds of internet provider companies nationwide that have partnered with the Federal government and provide free or discounted internet to eligible households.
Food Stamp is one of the eligibility criteria for the acp program, so you are eligible for a free laptop and internet. For free internet features, you can contact your current provider, make sure they provide Lifeline or ACP programs. The process is simple; you have to apply through their online platform.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
How can I get Government’s free laptop easily?
There are a number of assistance programs designed for low income people. Lifeline and ACP, both benefit programs, are especially designed for low income households. As a benefit recipient of Food Stamps, you are eligible for the ACP (Affordable Connectivity Program). Just apply via an internet provider or other organizations that offer free laptops.
Why do organizations want Food Stamp Entitlement?
Those who are entitled to a Food Stamp must qualify for low income. So, they are automatically eligible for some other assistance program. In that case, organizations don’t need detailed or additional information for the income and income guidelines.
Is a Free laptop necessary?
Laptops are a popular technology that changed many people’s lifestyles. A laptop is a next-generation communication device that replaces desktops and laptops. Using a laptop with internet connection anyone can contact others from any of the places in the world. For personal, professional, and educational purposes, a laptop can be used for multiple purposes.
Are free laptops really free?
There are many people who have the same question about whether the laptop is free or not. Surprisingly, free laptops are available from the Government and many organizations, and most of them do not charge a fee. A few organizations charge a little amount that is affordable. The amount you pay depends on your income, your provider, your availability, etc.
Are there any restrictions for Free laptop with Food stamps?
Yes, the entire ACP has some restrictions. Those who meet the general requirements are eligible to receive a free laptop from the government. You may check the general eligibility requirements for the ACP program. And the ACP program will not exist forever. Furthermore, you won’t be able to choose the exact model while choosing a free laptop with Food Stamp, your Lifeline provider will select the device for you. Because all of the models and brands will not be available for a long time, make sure to follow the general Lifeline rules.
Final Verdict
In this software driven century, we cannot imagine communication without a digital medium. A laptop can assist us to accomplish any job from anywhere in the world with information and resources. You can rely on a well-configured laptop as this portable gadget can help you in your work, education, and business. You can store data and analyze information, and other numerous tasks while moving anywhere in the world. Though it’s a cheaper gadget to many, still there are millions of low-income people who find hardship to afford a laptop. Every low-income citizen has the right to get the advantage of digital communication access. Breaking the digital divide could lead us to an inclusive digital world.
