A program connecting low-income families and households nationwide to affordable internet services is now accepting applications in Orange and San Diego counties.
Called the Affordability Connectivity program, benefits include up to a $30 a month discount for internet services and a one-time discount of up to $100 for the purchase of a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet through a participating provider if the household contributes between $10 and $50 to the purchase price.
Households on qualifying tribal lands are eligible for a discount of up to $75 a month.
Eligible households must have an income at or below 200 percent of federal poverty guidelines or participate in assistance programs, such as Medicaid, Veterans Pension or Survivor Benefits, or the Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance.
Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant this year or those who meet the eligibility requirements from a participating provider’s existing low-income internet program also qualify.
Participating providers include AT&T, Cox, Verizon, CenturyLink, Frontier, Infiniti Mobile, Cricket Wireless, and Boost Mobile.
The $14.2 billion federal program began during the COVID-19 pandemic and is funded by the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Job Act.
“The Affordability Connectivity Program is an effective, bipartisan solution to addressing broadband affordability, and Congress should keep it funded,” Verizon posted to its Twitter account May 9.
Enrollment has been available in Los Angeles County since February 2022.
Applicants have to verify their eligibility, identity, and address to receive the benefits.
The program aims to have consumers receive access to broadband services regardless of credit status or prior debts and to prevent them from signing up for an overly expensive or low-quality plan.
The approved provider of the applicant will receive the funds directly to apply the monthly discount, according to the Federal Communications Commission.
According to the commission, there were more than 17 million households who signed up for the program across the country as of last week.
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