Affordable Connectivity Program - $30 monthly Internet discount

[GTFan]

Was browsing my bill at xfinity.com after the BS fees went up again, and got a notice that I might be eligible for the ACP - Affordable Connectivity Program. This is a $30 monthly subsidy that started at beginning of this year and replaced the old Emergency Broadband Benefit (for folks impacted by Covid).

The interesting feature of the new subsidy is that they've added a new income level check to see if you qualify - anyone under 200% FPL now does (the Lifeline program was more restrictive, under 135% FPL). So folks on this board that are keeping MAGI low for ACA subsidies can now get $30 off their internet bill. In addition, you also get $100 off the purchase of a tablet or PC/laptop. The subsidy applies to new or existing customers and it doesn't matter which HSI tier you have, so it's not a limited HSI speed benefit. It's just a straight $30 off if you qualify.

https://acpbenefit.org/

[jim584672]

I've been in the EBB (Emergency Broadband Benefit) since it started, that will become the ACB soon. Since they locked everyone into Medicaid due to the pandemic that qualified me for the EBB. I actually should have left it in 2020.

[bryce]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTFan Was browsing my bill at xfinity.com after the BS fees went up again, and got a notice that I might be eligible for the ACP - Affordable Connectivity Program. This is a $30 monthly subsidy that started at beginning of this year and replaced the old Emergency Broadband Benefit (for folks impacted by Covid). The interesting feature of the new subsidy is that they've added a new income level check to see if you qualify - anyone under 200% FPL now does (the Lifeline program was more restrictive, under 135% FPL). So folks on this board that are keeping MAGI low for ACA subsidies can now get $30 off their internet bill. In addition, you also get $100 off the purchase of a tablet or PC/laptop. The subsidy applies to new or existing customers and it doesn't matter which HSI tier you have, so it's not a limited HSI speed benefit. It's just a straight $30 off if you qualify. https://acpbenefit.org/

I can add a bit here after looking into it.



As of today, a rep indicated income is defined as line 9 of the 1040. That is Total Income, not AGI or MAGI. And so we're out.


Our 2021 would not have qualified nor would 2022 unless it were MAGI. In talking with the rep, self-employed people will have an extra challenge if their income has dropped in that they can only substantiate with a tax return. W-2 filers would have more current information via a paystub. The Substantial Change of Income process that existed in the earlier programs does not work for the ACB.


Hold time were pretty quick though!


Hope this helps someone else digging into this.

[GTFan]

I qualified based on MAGI and my spouse has SE income, never talked to a rep. Try submitting the app and see what happens.

Comcast approved me next day after qualification.

[bryce]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTFan I qualified based on MAGI and my spouse has SE income, never talked to a rep. Try submitting the app and see what happens.

Interesting but I'm gonna pass on this one for now. The latest we have is a 2020 return where any definition of income is well over the threshold. 2021 returns will also be over. Which highlights how awesome it is that our state's ACA marketplace basically accepts our attestation that we will be below it for 2022. It's basically impossible for me to show any formal document that's not just our word that's even close to the income limit yet.

[John Galt III]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bryce I can add a bit here after looking into it. As of today, a rep indicated income is defined as line 9 of the 1040. That is Total Income, not AGI or MAGI. And so we're out. Our 2021 would not have qualified nor would 2022 unless it were MAGI. In talking with the rep, self-employed people will have an extra challenge if their income has dropped in that they can only substantiate with a tax return. W-2 filers would have more current information via a paystub. The Substantial Change of Income process that existed in the earlier programs does not work for the ACB. Hold time were pretty quick though! Hope this helps someone else digging into this.

Yes, very helpful. I was wondering the same thing. It turns out I will qualify if I choose to pursue it. May or may not pursue it, for lots of reasons. I was actually hoping I would not qualify for the ACP, so I would not have to decide, lol. If it's true that you can take $30 off the lowest cost cable internet tier of a bundled TV and internet package, no tricks, no gotchas, it might be the right thing for me to do. I have not called my cable co yet to ask, but have read that you get $30 off a non-bundled cable internet. Cable internet alone (non bundled) is way higher than tacking cable internet onto my existing cable TV. So I would have to add cable internet, as a separate stand alone item, to my monthly bill, and would not get the huge discount I would get by adding internet to my TV (even without a $30 subsidy). I think that is the catch, but haven't called the cable co to confirm, and don't want to, lol.

[jim584672]

By me Verizon and Altice usually have one year special rates. I alternate each year between them. If you are loyal they put the rate up and you pay more. Wiring is set up for both now, they just have to turn it on.

[John Galt III]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jim584672 By me Verizon and Altice usually have one year special rates. I alternate each year between them. If you are loyal they put the rate up and you pay more. Wiring is set up for both now, they just have to turn it on.

Priceless!

[John Galt III]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTFan I qualified based on MAGI and my spouse has SE income, never talked to a rep. Try submitting the app and see what happens. Comcast approved me next day after qualification.

GTFan, may I ask what type of plan you have? Is it bundled? Did the $30 come off cleanly? No gotchas? No need to change your plan some way? Thanks.

[jim584672]

The EBB puts a credit into your account. The info from my ISP said the EBB transitions March 1st to the ACP.

[GTFan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Galt III GTFan, may I ask what type of plan you have? Is it bundled? Did the $30 come off cleanly? No gotchas? No need to change your plan some way? Thanks.

I've got one of their double play bundles (Cable+HSI), haven't seen the discount yet. I wouldn't be surprised if it was less than $30, my plan before taxes and junk fees is only $100/mo.

[GTFan]

Got the $30 discount on my March bill.

[RetiredAndLovingIt]

I have Spectrum Internet only and I called them last night to gripe about them sending me letters almost every week offering Internet for 49.95 available to NEW customers only. i'm paying $74.95 and have been a customer off and on for more than 25 years. I told her I was considering moving to T-mobile Internet which is true.
I talked to a really nice lady who offered me $54.95 for a year and if I also signed up for their cell phone service starting at $14, she could also upgrade my speed to Ultra for free. There was no hard sell, I told her what I was paying for Tello ($6) and that was the end of the sales pitch. I already have 200 mbps speed and I'm happy with it.
She then encouraged me to check into the $30 ACP discount as well and e-mailed me the information. I was actually approved for it the other day after submitting my 2021 tax return and was still trying to decide whether to stay with Spectrum or move to T-Mobile internet for a lower price.
I'm so glad I no longer have to make that decision and my total savings will be $50 a month for making a five minute phone call.
By the way Spectrum does not participate in the PC or Laptop discount program.

[Z3Dreamer]

Line 9 of the tax return? So, if my family of 2 had $20k of IRA distribution and maybe $20k of SS, my income would be $40k and I wouldn't qualify. But if it was line 9, most of my SS would not be included and I would qualify. Big difference.

[jim584672]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RetiredAndLovingIt I have Spectrum Internet only and I called them last night to gripe about them sending me letters almost every week offering Internet for 49.95 available to NEW customers only. i'm paying $74.95 and have been a customer off and on for more than 25 years. I told her I was considering moving to T-mobile Internet which is true.

I found that if you don't actually leave they won't give a good deal. The minute you leave they start mail bombing you with the good deals.

[RetiredAndLovingIt]

Yeh, that's what I expected to happen but thought I'd try anyway.
When I called, I selected the option to cancel my service so I think I went straight to customer retention, she called it a customer appreciation discount.

[Tafkah]

I hadn't heard of this program before. I applied today, attached PDFs of the first 2 pages of my 2021 1040, and was approved immediately. Called Xfinity and gave them my approval number and they confirmed I'll get a $30 discount on my monthly bill.
Thanks, GT!

[ownyourfuture]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RetiredAndLovingIt I have Spectrum Internet only and I called them last night to gripe about them sending me letters almost every week offering Internet for 49.95 available to NEW customers only. i'm paying $74.95 and have been a customer off and on for more than 25 years. I told her I was considering moving to T-mobile Internet which is true. I talked to a really nice lady who offered me $54.95 for a year and if I also signed up for their cell phone service starting at $14, she could also upgrade my speed to Ultra for free.

Thanks for this!
Same situation for me. I'm going to stop by their local office & give it a shot.

[RetiredAndLovingIt]

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[conversationalphrase]

I saw a notice on my Cricket Wireless website about ACP. Went through the links to apply by sending my 2021 1040 and within two days my bill is now $30 less per month!



My (former) tax dollars at work