Internet connection is an important aspect in our lives. It is crucial to keep us connected during these technologically advanced days. Many activities are carried out virtually these days. This is mostly due to the Pandemic that struck us unexpectedly limiting social gatherings. As a result most health care, work and schooling activities are conducted online nowadays compared to previous years. Unfortunately, low-income earners are extremely struggling to achieve this. This has created a digital gap between high-income earners and low-income earners.
To remove the digital barrier, simple mobile announced to expansion of its participation in the newly created affordable connectivity program that kicked off 31st of December 2021. On our page today, we are devoted to educate you on how to get simple mobile affordable connectivity programs and other related ideas. Therefore, walk with us to the end!
Does Simple Mobile Do The ACP (Affordable Connectivity Program)?
When the pandemic struck the world, the government initiated several programs to help bring down the financial load on affected households. Among them was EBB program that was initiated to lower internet connection bills for low-income households. On the 12th of May 2021, simple mobile committed to offering EBB benefits to its eligible customers. The program was conducted successfully until 31st December of 2021 when FCC replaced EBB with Affordable connectivity program. Consequently, simple mobile EBB transitioned to ACP whereby households enrolled in simple mobile EBB will continue enjoying their benefits during two months transition period. Therefore, simple mobile will continue to do Affordable Connectivity program during a 60-day transitioned period as per the directives of government.
Is ACP The Same As EBB?
ACP and EBB are two distinct programs that operate under divergent terms. First of all, it’s important to note that these are both federal communications commission programs that were initiated with a similar intention. I mean, these programs play a similar role in helping low-income households pay for internet connected devices and broadband services with ease. They both offer discounts on these services on monthly terms with a one-time discount on devices like tablets, laptops and desktops. These programs are also similar in that they target the jobless, disabled, low income students or financially strained families in the US. Lastly, they are similar in that they both offer benefits to a household member who is confirmed to receive help from any assistance program.
However, several factors make ACP and EBB programs unrelated. First of all, EBB is a non-existence program. This program is no longer operational as it ended on 31st Dec 2021. Therefore, ACP is a new program that replaced EBB. Secondly, EBB and ACP are different in that EBB offers up to $50 monthly discount on broadband services while ACP offers up to $30 on monthly broadband services. To qualify for EBB, you must have an income that is below or equal to 135% of the federal poverty guideline. On the contrary, ACP financial limit is 200% of the poverty guideline. Lastly, EBB was a short-term temporary program that lasted for months, while FCC announced ACP as a long term program.
Benefits Of Qualifying For The Simple Mobile ACP Program
Once you qualify for simple Mobile ACP program, expect to enjoy not one but a number of benefits. These benefits are meant to reduce monthly internet bills on affected families. These benefits are:
- You receive up to $30 per month discount on internet connection services.
- You receive up to $75 per month discount if you are a qualifying tribal lands.
- You receive a one-time discount of $100 on connection devices like tablets, desktops or laptops.
Qualify Criteria For Simple Mobile ACP Program
To qualify to simple mobile ACP, there are a number of things that households should meet. Below are the quality criteria:
1. Income criteria
You can receive simple mobile ACP benefits if you come from a low income household. That means your total household income should be equal or less than 200% of the federal poverty guidelines. While these guidelines vary per your state and family size, visit ACP official website to confirm your exact income limit. To mention a few, the household size of one in Alaska is $32, 180 while in Hawaii is $29, 640. Household size of 3 and 4 in Alaska and Hawaii is $54,900 and $50,520 respectively.
2. Program criteria
This is where you qualify to receive ACP benefits if you participate and receive benefit from any federal or tribal assistance programs. Here is a list of these programs:
- Medicaid
- Supplemental nutrition assistance program that was initially known as food stamps
- Supplemental security income
- Federal public housing assistance
- Veterans pension and survivors benefit
- Free and reduces price school lunch program or school breakfast program
- Federal Pell grant.
- Bureau of Indian affairs general assistance for tribal land
- Head start for tribal land
- Tribal temporary assistance for needy families ( tribal land)
- Food distribution program on Indian reservations ( tribal land)
3. Lifeline beneficiaries
You also qualify for Simple mobile if you are a lifeline beneficiary. What is lifeline? This is s federal communications commission program that was created to make wireless communication services cheaper and affordable to low income households. Since the program target low income earners, you automatically get approved to receive ACP benefits as a lifeline consumer.
4. Child or dependent criteria
Under this criteria, you qualify for ACP benefits if any of your household member participate in one of the assistance programs above. In simpler terms, if your child or any other dependent qualify to receive the federal Pell grant, your household qualifies for ACP.
Documents Required To Apply For Simple Mobile ACP
Once you meet any of the above mentioned requirements, you can go ahead and apply for simple mobile ACP. However, you will be compelled to show proof of eligibility. This is by attaching copies of documents that hold evidence of your eligibility. Besides, you are also required to submit a copy of document to verify your identity. Below is a list of eligible documents to attach:
- Tribal, state or federal tax return
- Social security statement of benefits
- Workers compensation statement.
- Medicaid approval letter
- SSI cover letter.
- Federal Pell grant letter
- Tribal head start cover letter.
- Government issued ID
- Birth certificate or driver’s license.
How Do I Apply For Simple Mobile Affordable Connectivity Program?
With all your documents ready, you can now edge forward and apply for simple mobile ACP. The most golden thing about simple mobile ACP is a simple, direct and shortened application process. Below is the process:
- Visit simple mobile official page and tap on how to apply for ACP.
- The link will redirect you to a page that holds an application form.
- On the form enter your name, zip code, email address and click on “continue”
- Attach one of the above documents to prove eligibility and submit the form.
- Wait for approval from the national verifier
- Get approved and receive an approval notification from simple mobile
- Finally, start receiving your simple mobile ACP benefits
How To Check Status For Simple Mobile ACP Application?
More often, simple mobile ACP application takes few days to get approved. However, the approval can delay due to a number of factors. In such an incidence, you should check status for simple mobile ACP application by contacting Simple mobile on 1-877-878-7908 or chat them live through simple mobile support center.
Are There Any Limitations Of The Simple Mobile ACP Program?
Simple mobile has a few restrictions. ACP is a federal benefit program that strictly provides help to households that qualify based on their income or participation of eligible assistance programs.
The program also restricts one benefit per household. Basically, a household is an individual or group of people that live in one economic unit or same address. They are simply all adults that live together and contribute or share an income. Therefore, only one member of that group should receive simple mobile ACP benefits.
Also, simple mobile ACP program restricts households to receive ACP benefits from one provider at a time. Therefore, you should not receive ACP benefits from many providers. Finally, ACP benefits are restricted to one member and should not be transferred to another.
Can I Get A Free Tablet With Simple Mobile ACP Program?
Simple mobile ACP program gives up to $100 discount to purchase connectivity device like tablet, laptop and computer. Although the tablet is not completely free, it’s possible to get one at a cheaper price compared to standard tablets. Through the program, you get a one-time discount of up to 100$ to get your desired tablet. However, note that Simple mobile ACP device discount is subject to availability. That basically means that you get a discount to purchase the tablet on condition that the tablet is available at the moment.
Is The Simple Mobile Affordable Connectivity Program Permanent?
We have mentioned severally that ACP program was initiated to replace EBB. You are aware that EBB was a temporary program that was meant to last until the allocated funds deplete or 6 months after the COVID pandemic comes to an end. However, EBB came to an end on the last day of 2021 as ACP took over. Since the start of this program (ACP), FCC, announced that the program will serve on long term basis. As on now, it’s not clear whether ACP is a permanent program but one thing for sure is that this program will serve for long. Therefore, the affordable connectivity program is a long perm program.
