Digital communication or telecommunication has become a salient demand in our daily life. We cannot shape our life without the internet and connected devices on any single day. Now people are more dependent on digital communication to stay connected with jobs, classrooms, business, overall communication, and more. But low-income people lag behind in paying the bills to arrange gadgets and the internet. It is a blessing for them that the Federal Government always tries to initiate several aid programs for different circumstances for low-income people. FCC (Federal Communications Commission) came forward to aid people with the internet and supporting gadgets who struggle with their livelihood. FCC’s Lifeline has been offering a discount on phone service for low-income people since 1985.
Last year, FCC launched the temporary EBB (Emergency Broadband Benefit Program), where eligible households get discounted internet facilities to maintain their virtual communication. Then this year, in 2022, the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) was launched as a permanent program. The government is offering the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) like the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) via various broadband and wireless providers nationwide.
Lifeline, EBB, and the ACP, all three programs were designed for eligible low-income households. The most common part is Lifeline participants are eligible to participate in the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) and the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) automatically. Both programs aim to provide similar services but there are few differences among Lifeline, EBB, and the ACP. People want to know if Lifeline, EBB, and the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) are the same or not? Here we will compare three programs in this article.
About Lifeline Program
FCC’s Lifeline is a program that helps to provide communication services more affordable to low-income people. This program aims to offer a discount on communication services to low-income Americans so that every American can access the opportunities to stay connected. Lifeline offers monthly discounts on voice-broadband, internet, bundled services, and phone service. The Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) administers this program.
USAC is responsible for the application process, eligibility requirements, and keeping the benefit through an annual recertification process. With this discount, low-income customers can afford broadband service and so that they stay connected with their jobs, healthcare, and education services. Lifeline customers can receive a monthly discount of up to $9.25 and tribal members can receive a discount of up to $34.25 per month. There are also free smartphones and tablets for certain eligible households.
About Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) Program
The FCC has designed the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) to help bridge the digital divide by providing low-income citizens with access to discounted broadband services. This program was established to help people with subsidies who are facing difficulties in paying their regular monthly broadband bills. Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) was a temporary solution by giving you a discount on your monthly internet balance.
This program was aimed to alleviate the financial struggle of the people who lost their income source during this Covid-19 pandemic. People who lost their jobs or income due to the shutdown could apply for this temporary monthly subsidy. This temporary program from the Federal Government provided home internet and wireless service to eligible customers with up to $50 per month discount and up to $75 per month for people from the tribal lands. There was a one-time discount of up to $100 to buy a desktop, laptop, or tablet.
About Affordable Connectivity Program
After the termination of the EBB benefit, the new Affordable Connectivity Program is facilitating low-income households Based on the FCC guidelines. The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) provides eligible low-income households with a monthly credit of up to $30 each. It means a household can receive up to $30 per month as a relief to its monthly internet bill.
If your household uses broadband internet with a $60 monthly plan, then after the qualification for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) benefit as a low-income household or jobless, you will have to pay $30 only. In the tribal lands, the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) qualifiers receive $75 per month. FCC has created the criteria which will determine the applicant’s eligibility. Two categories of households will be able to get the benefits. Low-income households and the households who enjoy any of the government assistance programs.
Key Difference Between The Lifeline, EBB, and The ACP
All three programs aim to provide facilities to low-income people. But there are a couple of differences among the Lifeline, EBB, and the ACP. Here are some differences described below.
Program Duration
The major difference between them is the duration. Lifeline has been a Government assistance program for a longer period. It is a permanent benefit program for low-income eligible households. Since 1985, the Lifeline program has been assisting eligible people by providing a discount on their communication services. But Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) was a temporarily limited-time offer. It served people who were affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) formed this program to last for six months. According to the FCC plan, Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) ended immediately after the Department of Health Service declared the end of the Covid-19 emergency. Then the FCC launched Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) as the permanent program which should last for years. Unlike the EBB, the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is going to serve people parallelly with the Lifeline program.
Coverage States
The Lifeline program is available in every state’s territory and tribal lands for eligible customers. But, an Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) provider didn’t offer a discount in every state. On the other hand, all broadband providers didn’t provide EBB programs. Only 875 providers participated in the EBB program. It means a provider provides an EBB discount in its coverage area only.
Customers who are highly interested in the EBB should check if there is any EBB provider near them. On the other hand, the FCC launched the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) newly but kept the form almost like the EBB. The EBB providers automatically shifted to the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and they have been providing internet and device discounts across the states.
The availability of the program depends on a provider’s network coverage area. But, if one provider is absent in your state then there must be another who works with FCC in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) benefit.
Discounts
The federal Lifeline program provides up to $9.25 per month and up to $34.25 per month for residents living in Tribal lands on broadband internet service to eligible low-income households. The program also supports a discount of up to $5.25 for households for voice-only service. Besides a connected device is completely free for an eligible applicant.
On the other hand, EBB used to provide eligible customers with discounts of up to $50 per month and tribal members got a discount of up to $75 per month. Here a one-time device discount is available for them which is up to $100 on purchasing a desktop, laptop, or tablet. But the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) comes with a bit different offer. The program provides eligible low-income households with a monthly credit of up to $30 each. But the rest are the same as the EBB program.
Discount types
The Lifeline benefit is valid for broadband internet service, monthly telephone service, and voice-broadband packages. EBB benefit program is usable only for broadband internet service. EBB providers offer several services related to EBB programs such as a few providers offering device discounts and others offering unlimited talk, text, and data. Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) also offers the same discount types as the EBB did.
Eligibility Difference Between The Lifeline, EBB, and The ACP
To qualify for the Lifeline program
- The FCC states that if your household income is less than 135% of federal poverty guidelines, then you can register with an income statement.
- You or any member of your household receives the following benefits program:
- SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)
- Medicaid
- SSI (Supplemental Security Income)
- Federal public housing assistance
- Veterans survivor and Pensions benefit program
- Tribal programs: Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance (BIA)
- Tribal Head Start
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations.
- Tribal TANF (Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)
To qualify for the EBB program, you must be a member of one of these programs
- Lifeline members get automatic access to the EBB program.
- SNAP (supplemental nutrition assistance program)
- Medicaid
- SSI (Supplemental Security Income)
- Federal public housing assistance
- Veterans survivor and Pensions benefit program
- Tribal programs: Bureau of Indian Affairs general assistance, tribally administered temporary assistance, Head Start, Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservation (FDPIR).
There are also income-based eligibility criteria to meet for the EBB program:
- Household Income is at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines.
- Any student of the household receives a free and reduced-price school lunch/breakfast program through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision. The countable school years are 2019-2020, 2020-2021, or 2021-2022.
- If a household member experienced substantial loss or got terminated since February 29 of 2020. The total income of the household in 2020 should be below 99,000 dollars for a single filer. And for joint filers, it should be below 198,000 dollars.
- Anyone receives a Federal Pell Grant in the current award year.
To qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)
- If any member of your household enjoys the Lifeline benefits, then you are eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) automatically. Other government assistance programs such as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), Medicaid, SSI (Supplemental Security Income), Federal public housing assistance, and Veterans survivor Pensions Benefits Fund should make you Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) eligible.
- The household income should be less than or equal to 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
- The yearly income of your household in 2021 should meet the FCC guidelines to apply for Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) benefits. This yearly income total may vary depending on the state you live in. As an example, an individual living in Alaska should have an income of $32,180 maximum. But in Hawaii, it is a maximum of $29,640. For a household consisting of 3 or 4 members, the income size is $54,900 and in Alaska $50,520 in Hawaii.
- Any student of your household who qualifies for free or reduced-price school meals during the 2019-2020 or 2020-2021 school year.
- Who received a federal Pell Grant in the current years can apply as eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) benefits.
Tribal Benefit programs refer to the eligibility of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP):
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance.
- Tribal Head Start
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations.
- Tribal TANF (Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)
Application Process Difference Between The Lifeline, EBB, and The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)
It is a bit different in the application processes between the Lifeline and the EBB program.
The application process for the Lifeline
- Online: “www.checklifeline.org/lifeline” national verifier application system, you may apply online by creating an account.
- Offline:Print and complete the application to mail at Lifeline Support Center, P.O. BOX, 7081, London, KY, 40742.If you have any inquiries, contact Lifeline at 800-234-9473 or 20 LifelineSupport@usac.org.
The application process for the EBB
- Eligibility Check: Before going through the main application process, you must meet the eligibility criteria to apply for this process. This verification process is executed and done by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC).
- Contact provider: After getting approval, contact your near internet service provider. Make sure that the provider is the EBB participant. You may call at 833-511-0311.
The application process for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)
- Go to the (USAC) Universal Administrative Service Company website usac.org/about/affordable-connectivity-program and check your household’s eligibility status. You will get a notification saying whether you are eligible or not. After confirming your eligibility, you will have to submit your relevant documents in your application process.
- After the successful application, call the provider’s customer care number. They will confirm your eligibility and implement the discount offer to your account. The customer care number is open from 7 AM to 7 PM every Monday to Friday cycle.
- When you are done with your application, the provider will send you a confirmation email with the details of the benefits.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Do I qualify for EBB if I am a Lifeline Beneficiary?
Yes, being a lifeline beneficiary, you already have met the eligibility criteria. That eligibility criterion is enough to get the EBB. But, you will not receive EBB automatically. You still have to apply for the emergency broadband benefit program of your current provider.
If I already have a lifeline membership, do I have to give it up to receive the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)?
The answer is No. It’s a blessing that you can enjoy both programs at a time. It means if anyone from your household gets Lifeline benefit and enrolls in the ACP, then as per the FCC rule, the household can enjoy both benefits simultaneously.
Can I receive the Lifeline service from one provider and Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) from another provider?
Yes, you can receive Lifeline from one provider and the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) from another provider. Because, as per FCC’s eligibility requirement, you are eligible for both programs. In that case, the provider will not make issues regarding this matter.
Can I receive both the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and Lifeline benefits at the same time?
Yes, anyone can apply for both the Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) with the same or different providers. In that case, you have to be eligible for both programs. Only per household can receive the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) benefit.
Can the Lifeline and the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) benefit be applied to the same service?
Yes, if the customer qualifies for both programs then can be applied to the same service. For example, for the broadband service your total cost (Lifeline+ACP can be applied). Lifeline benefits must be applied first, and the rest of the costs will be offset by the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).
Final Word
The Lifeline, EBB, and the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) benefits are dedicated to the low-income and underprivileged individuals and households around America. FCC First introduced Lifeline and then the EBB. Though EBB was temporary, the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) then replaced it as a permanent program. The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) offers huge discounts or subsidies to income-less or low-income families.
The discount is almost free to some households who take low amount internet plans. And the blessing is that a family can get both Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) benefits. This opportunity lets a household enjoy unlimited broadband internet almost for free. Thanks to the FCC as the Lifeline beneficiary can also get the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) discount as the policy says. Though there are certain differences between these three schemes, there are still similar features for eligible households.
