Everybody deserves an internet connection despite their social status. Fortunately, government-funded programs offer free internet for tablets to eligible consumers. Through the Lifeline and the Affordable Connectivity Program, eligible low-income families receive a free discount on their monthly internet bills. Besides, you can get a monthly discount on internet service if you are eligible for these programs. Plus, a one-time free discount on a tablet from participating wireless providers. These FCC-managed programs seek to help families and households struggling to obtain this service.
Thus, free internet benefits connect eligible low-income households to emergency services, jobs, virtual classrooms, and online activities. To qualify for this service, check if your household matches the eligibility requirements for free internet for tablets. Then, you can apply online by providing the required information and documentation that proves eligibility. If you pass the screening exercise, you will receive your free monthly internet benefit through your internet service provider.
The eligibility for this free internet program for tablets follows strict guidelines from the Federal Government. First, you can qualify for free internet through the Lifeline Program. Alternatively, you can apply for free internet benefits for tablets through the Affordable Connectivity Program. Generally, these program qualifies a household member to apply by meeting the low-income level poverty standards. You can also qualify following participation in a government-funded program like SNAP or Medicaid.
The Best Ways To Get Free Internet For Tablet
The best way to receive free internet for tablets is through the Affordable Connectivity Program. According to ACP, most low-income eligible families can obtain a monthly internet discount of up to $30 applied to the bill of their internet service. Besides, ACP-eligible households residing on Tribal lands qualify for free internet for tablet benefit of up to $75 per month. On the other hand, the Lifeline program can offer you another $9.25 monthly and $34.25 per month for eligible consumers on Tribal land.
Additionally, ACP-eligible low-income households can obtain a one-time discount of up to $100 to buy a tablet, laptop, or desktop computer from participating providers offering a discount on connected devices with a small copay. To obtain a discounted device, you must contact a participating provider. You can find the providers issuing discounted devices listed.
The first step to getting your tablet free internet is determining your eligibility. Then, start by contacting a participating ACP internet service provider to select an internet plan. You can complete an application on your provider’s website. Most participating companies may request you to apply via their own application process.
Once your application is successful, you can contact a participating internet service provider to select a plan and apply your benefit to that plan. You can enroll for free internet for tablets through your existing wireless service provider if it participates in the Affordable Connectivity Program.
Who Is Eligible for the Free Internet For Tablet Through Affordable Connectivity Program
A household qualifies for free internet for tablets through the Affordable Connectivity Program if the annual income level is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Again, you are also eligible for free internet plus a tablet if a member of the household meets at least one of the below criteria:
- A recipient of a Federal Pell Grant in the current award year;
- A household attaining the eligibility criteria for a participating provider’s existing low-income internet program;
- A participant in one of these government assistance programs:
- School Breakfast Program, or Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch Program, including at US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Community Eligibility Provision schools.
- SNAP
- Federal Housing Assistance, including:
- Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program (Section 8 Vouchers)
- Medicaid
- Affordable Housing Programs for American Indians, Alaska Natives, or Native Hawaiians
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Project-Based Rental Assistance (PBRA)/Section 202/ Section 811
- Public Housing
- WIC
- Veterans Pension or Survivor Benefits
- or Lifeline;
- A participant in any of these government assistance programs and resides on Qualifying Tribal lands:
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
- Tribal Head Start (income based)
- Tribal TANF
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
How To Apply for Free Internet For Tablet
For information on applying, you can go or call (877) 384-2575. However, you can apply for the above benefit in two steps:
- Proceed to AffordableConnectivity.gov to fill out and send an application or print out a mail-in application.
- Contact your favorite participating internet service provider to select a plan and get the discount added to your bill.
Notably, some wireless providers feature an alternative application they request you complete. Eligible low-income households must apply for the ACP program and liaise with a participating provider to choose a service plan.
Apply Now For Free Internet and Tablet
Free Internet For Tablet Participating Service Providers
The US Federal government partners with participating internet service providers to provide a high-speed internet plan to eligible low-income families. However, more than 1,300 service providers participate in the ACP benefit. To locate a free internet for tablet provider near you, you can proceed. These are some of the best free internet tablet providers with wide availability and coverage in the United States:
- AT&T
- Verizon (Fios only)
- Breeze line
- Comcast
- Comporium
- Cox Communications
- Allo Communications
- altaFiber (and Hawaiian Telcom)
- Altice (Optimum and Suddenlink)
- Astound
- Vermont Telephone Company
- Vexus Fiber
- Wow! Internet, Cable, and TV
- Frontier
- IdeaTek
- Jackson Energy Authority
- MediacomCable – Affordable Connectivity Program
- MLGC
- Spectrum (Charter Communications)*
- Starry
Bottom Line
The Federal Government understands that affordable, reliable, and high-speed internet is vital for everyone in America. Thus, through the Affordable Connectivity Program, low-income households can apply for free internet for tablets through participating wireless providers. If you are eligible for the program, you will receive a non-transferable one monthly service discount per household. Consumers must enroll in the ACP following an income level matching the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Or qualify through participation in a government-aided program like SNAP and similar programs.