Millions of low-income families lack the privilege to access critical telecommunication services due to the high internet cost. Interestingly, eligible participants in government-supported programs like Medicaid can take advantage of free Internet from the government. The free Internet with Medicaid programs includes Lifeline and the Affordable Connectivity Program(ACP). Apart from the internet offer, eligible consumers can also get a free government phone through these programs.
Most importantly, you can receive your Internet service for free for qualifying and enrollment in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and Lifeline. ACP provides eligible low-income households a discount of up to $30 per month on Internet and mobile services. Tribal lands eligible customers can receive up to $75 per month. On the other hand, Lifeline offers up to a $9.25 monthly discount towards the internet bill for eligible low-income families and up to $34.25 per month for eligible residents on Tribal lands.
To qualify for free Internet with Medicaid, a household member must meet the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) set eligibility criteria. One of the requirements for Medicaid free internet includes a household member’s participation in government-sponsored programs such as Medicaid and SNAP, Tribal TANF, and others. Again, you can qualify based on your household income that meets the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
Qualify For Free Internet With Medicaid
Medicaid is an American government-supported program that offers health insurance for low-income adults, pregnant women, children, people with disabilities, and the elderly. The federal government and the states collectively fund the program. As said earlier, Medicaid participants can qualify for free Internet through the ACP and the Lifeline programs.
1. Free Internet with Medicaid Under ACP
The FCC has provided criteria for Medicaid applicants who may obtain internet service discounts through the Affordable Connectivity Program. To qualify, a household member must meet one of these eligibility conditions:
- Possess a gross annual income of 200% or below of the 2022 federal poverty guidelines;
- A participates in government assistance programs, including:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Medicaid
- WIC
- Federal Public Housing Assistance
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Lifeline;
- A participant in tribal-specific programs, including Tribal TANF, Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, or Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance;
- A recipient of benefits under the school breakfast program or the free and reduced-price school lunch program
- A recipient of a Federal Pell Grant during the ongoing award year; or
- Attainment of the eligibility criteria for a participating wireless provider’s existing low-income program.
2. Free Internet Under Lifeline Program
To qualify for free Internet with Medicaid in the Lifeline program, you must possess an annual gross income at or below 135% of the 2022 Federal Poverty Guidelines. Besides, you can qualify based on participation in specific federal aided programs, such as:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Medicaid
- Federal Public Housing Assistance
- Supplemental Security Income
- Veterans’ and Survivors’ Pension Benefits or specific Tribal Programs that include:
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
- Head Start (only households attaining the income qualifying standard)
- Tribal TANF
Applications For Getting Free Internet With Medicaid
To receive the Medicaid free internet benefit, low-income Americans must apply online, by phone, or by mail. Then after confirming eligibility, they must contact a participating internet service provider to enroll.
Two Steps to Enroll
- Proceed to AffordableConnectivity.gov to send an application or print out a mail-in application.
- Contact your participating provider to choose an internet plan and apply the discount to your bill.
The Precious Ways To Get Free Government Internet With Medicaid In North Carolina.
More than 2.3 million North Carolina residents enjoy Medicaid and thus qualify for a free Internet from the government that features free talk and text. Through the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and Lifeline, you can qualify for free Internet through Easy Wireless if you’re a Medicaid beneficiary.
First, you must be either a permanent resident or a citizen in North Carolina to qualify for free Medicaid internet. Additionally, you must attain income requirements according to the Federal Poverty Standards.
Other Programs That Provide Free Internet If I Can Not Qualify For Medicaid
If you don’t qualify for free Internet through Medicaid, you can still enroll and qualify through the following programs:
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Federal Public Housing Help (FPHA)
- Pell Grant Awards
- Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
- Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit
- National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
- Another way you can qualify for free Internet with Medicaid is through your annual income.
Benefits of Getting Free Internet
The high cost of the Internet can be prohibitive for low-income households to access essential telecommunication services. Thus, reliable access to the Internet can help low-income people stay connected with friends and family, learn new skills, search for a job, work from home or remote learning, or start an online business.
Consequently, free internet access or government assistance in paying monthly bills is paramount to low-income households. Generally, free Internet makes your life smoother and simple.
States That Provide Free Internet With Medicaid
If you reside in any of the below states and participate in Medicaid, you can receive free Internet from qualifying government programs. In this case, you can look for providers that offer service in your states of residence using the Companies Near Me tool at the USAC website and apply through them. The states that offer this benefit include:
Alabama (AL), Alaska (AK), Arizona (AZ), Arkansas (AR), California (CA), Colorado (CO), Connecticut (CT), Delaware (DE), Florida (FL), Georgia (GA), Hawaii (HI), Idaho (ID), Illinois (IL), Indiana (IN), Iowa (IA), Kansas (KS), Kentucky (KY), Louisiana (LA), Maine (ME), Maryland (MD), Massachusetts (MA), Michigan (MI), Minnesota (MN), Mississippi (MS), Missouri (MO), Montana (MT), Nebraska (NE), Nevada (NV), New Hampshire (NH), New Jersey (NJ), New Mexico (NM), New York (NY), North Carolina (NC), North Dakota (ND), Ohio (OH), Oklahoma (OK), Oregon (OR), Pennsylvania (PA), Rhode Island (RI), South Carolina (SC), South Dakota (SD), Tennessee (TN), Texas (TX), Utah (UT), Vermont (VT), Virginia (VA), Washington (WA), West Virginia (WV), Wisconsin (WI), Wyoming (WY).
Bottom Line
Internet connection is a requirement in every household for work, remote learning, school, or education purposes. Some government programs offer free Internet with Medicaid for eligible low-income families. If you qualify for Lifeline and the Affordable Connectivity Program, you can apply for this benefit through a participating wireless provider. Eligible low-income individuals also qualify for a free smartphone to use the Internet through the Lifeline and ACP programs.