Tablets are vital devices in the modern day due to their various uses. They are essential for bettering our lives, including seniors. For your information, a senior in the United States is someone who is 62 or older or anyone of retirement age. Most seniors cannot work for money since they lack the necessary energy. You will learn how to get free tablets for seniors shortly.
For your information, tablets allow you to entertain yourself by playing games on their large screens. You can download games from the Play Store, App Store, or Windows Store, depending on the operating system of your device. You can also watch movies on devices and listen to music. Again, tablets are essential for learners to access learning materials online via installed apps containing learning materials. Some learning institutions have made it compulsory for students to have tablets.
Additionally, some tablets come with SIM card slots whereby you can insert your SIM card to communicate with others. Such devices act as phones since you can call, send texts, and access online services using cellular data. Also, tablets allow you to connect to WiFi networks to access online services. This explains why tablets are crucial devices for everyone, not just seniors.
The genuine ways to get free tablets for seniors
If you are a senior wondering how to get a free tablet, then do not worry anymore since there are ways you can obtain a free device. However, there are ways to get a tablets for seniors free of cost. These include the following.
- Through the Affordable Connectivity Program
- Through non-governmental organizations
- From friends and relatives
Let us look at each method you can use to get a free tablet.
1. Through the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)
The Affordable Connectivity Program is a benefit program from FCC that helps households to afford the broadband they require for work, school, healthcare, and more. The benefit offers a discount of at most $30 monthly for internet service for qualifying households and at most $75 monthly for households on eligible Tribal lands.
Additionally, qualifying households get a one-time discount of at most $100 to buy a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer, from participating service providers if they contribute at least $10 and not more than $50 toward the purchase price. Using the discount, you can thus obtain a tablet as long as you contribute the necessary amount.
Qualifications for ACP
There are various ways you can qualify for ACP. You can qualify by income, whereby the gross annual household income should be 200% or below the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Also, you can qualify if you participate in various benefit programs such as;
- Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch Program
- Lifeline
- School Breakfast Program
- SNAP
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Veterans Pension or Survivor Benefits
- Medicaid
- WIC
If you reside in Tribal lands, you can qualify through the above assistance programs or the following Tribal Benefits Programs.
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
- Tribal Head Start
- Tribal TANF
Documents needed for ACP
When applying for ACP to get a free tablet, you should bring documents to show your eligibility and identify yourself. Documents that prove program participation include;
- Benefit award letter
- Statement of benefits
- Benefit verification letter
- Approval letter
If you are qualifying by income, you should bring documents such as;
- Previous year’s federal, state, or Tribal tax return
- Veterans Administration statement of benefits
- Income statement from your current employer or a paycheck stub
- Federal/Tribal notice letter of participation in General Assistance
- Unemployment/Workers’ Compensation statement of benefits
- Divorce decree, child support award, or other documents with income information
You must also bring documents supporting your date of birth, life, address, and Social Security Number or Tribal ID Number.
How do you apply for ACP
There are various ways you can apply for ACP. You can apply online at affordableConnectivity.gov by submitting all the necessary documents. Also, you can apply by mail by downloading the ACP application form, filling it out and attaching the necessary documents, and sending it by mail.
Lastly, you can apply through your service provider, who runs your documents on the National Verifier to check your eligibility. Once you qualify, you contribute the necessary amount towards the tablet’s purchase price. In any way you apply, you receive your tablet at your physical address.
Free Tablets For Seniors – Apply Now
2. Through non-governmental organizations
Seniors can also get free tablets through NGOs. The bodies require needy persons to apply for free devices. They may use the same criteria the Affordable Connectivity Program used. Some of the NGOs that offer free tablets include the following.
2.1. The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is a prominent non-profit organization that works to eliminate hardships for people. You can apply for one online if you are a senior who cannot afford a tablet.
2.2. EveryoneOn
If you are a senior from a low-income household, you can apply for a free tablet from the organization. Also, the organization offers free internet for low-income families.
2.3. Community Tech Network
The platform is also reputable and allows you to apply for a free tablet if you are from a low-income household. The organization believes in transforming life with digital skills.
2.4. Older Adult Technology Services (OATS)
OATS is an excellent place for older adults to get help owning a technological device. The national program connects those requiring technology online more effectively.
2.5. Tech Goes Home
Tech Goes Home enriches the lives of senior people and less fortunate ones with the assistance of digital tools and internet access. They run a training and computer giveaway program to assist senior people in managing their lives effectively.
2.6. SmartRiverside
SmartRiverside is another non-profit organization that is a coalition partner and ensures high technology for the community to connect digitally and online.
- From friends and relatives
A senior can get a tablet from a friend or relative if they are able. Most seniors have able children who can give them anything they want.
Bottom line
Seniors require tablets for various activities, such as entertainment and communication. However, most are unable to afford the devices due to low income. Therefore, there is a need to get help in obtaining the devices. Seniors can get free tablets through the Affordable Connectivity Program, Non-governmental organizations such as EveryoneOn and Tech Goes Home, or through friends and families.