Where Can You Get Low-Cost Internet Service in the United States?

Owning a computer and having good internet service doesn’t have to break the bank.

PCs for People is an approved provider for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) which ensures households can afford the technology required for their education, work, healthcare, and other needs.

We’re an authorized provider of internet services and computer benefits through the federal ACP benefit.

Find out how you can get your low-cost internet service in the U.S. with our help:

What Is the Affordable Connectivity Program?

The Affordable Connectivity Program is an FCC benefit program designed to ensure households get access to the broadband internet they need to succeed and thrive in today’s world.

The plans through the Affordable Connectivity Program give you a minimum download speed of 100 megabits per second, which is enough to allow multiple users to access the internet for work from home simultaneously. It also helps qualifying households save money on their monthly costs.

Through ACP, you can get up to a $30/month discount on your internet service or a $75/month discount if your household is on qualifying tribal lands.

Our service is $15/month, meaning PCs for People provides you with free internet when paired with ACP.

We also provide a one-time $100 discount off select computers when paired with internet service through PCs for People.

To get your free internet service, check out our application page here.

For current subscribers, the benefit will cover monthly renewals for internet service during the program.

Subscribers to PCs for People’s affordable connectivity program must visit our website every month to renew and apply their ACP discount to the internet bill.

If you choose to pay for multiple months at once, you’ll have to wait until your subscription ends before signing up.

Qualifying households are limited to a single monthly service credit and one device discount.

Credits can’t be transferred and are limited to one per household, including any individuals living together at a similar address and sharing income and expenses.

For questions, visit our support portal online or call 651-354-2552 for frequently asked questions about the Affordable Connectivity Program with PCs for People.

How Can I Apply to the Affordable Connectivity Program?

If you are not yet a PCs for People customer, you may have to show proof of income to apply for the program, or proof of participation in an income-based program such as SNAP, Medicaid, or a reduced lunch program.

A household will be eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program if its income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or 60% of area median income. Learn more about eligibility here.

For example, the income cap for a family of two is $39,940. For a family of four, it’s $60,000.

They can also be eligible if a member of the household meets one of the criteria described below:

  • They received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year
  • They meet the eligibility criteria for a participating provider’s ongoing low-income internet program, like PCS for People’s program
  • They participate in one of the following assistance programs:
    • The Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch Program, or the School Breakfast Program, includes U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) Community Eligibility Provision schools
    • Public Housing (HUD)
    • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
    • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
    • National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
    • Community Eligibility Provision (CEP)
    • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
    • Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
    • Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA), which includes the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program (Section 8 vouchers)

Can I Apply to the ACP if I’m on Tribal Lands?

lowest cost internet service
Broadband providers make low cost internet service easier to access.

If you live in qualifying tribal lands, you’re also eligible for the ACP if your household income is below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.

You can also apply if you or someone in your household participates in any of the federal assistance programs previously mentioned or:

  • Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
  • Head Start
  • Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF)
  • Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations

Who Created the Affordable Connectivity Program?

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) introduced the new Affordable Connectivity Program at the end of 2021 to replace the old Emergency Broadband Benefit program to assist low-income homes in getting internet access for their work, school, and healthcare needs.

Of households at 100% of the federal poverty level, 18% lack access to the internet. For those at 400% of the poverty level, only 3% percent lack internet access, which shows that higher-income households are more likely to have internet access at home.

Many human services agencies and health providers need virtual communication with clients to provide services.

On top of that, people living in nonmetropolitan areas and low-income households have less access to the internet than those in metropolitan areas.

About 48 million families, representing around 40% of U.S. households, are eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program, per an estimate released by the Federal Communications Commission.

From this number, around 13.4 million families have joined one of the internet service providers for affordable internet service.

How Does the FCC Support the Affordable Connectivity Program?

low-income internet
An affordable internet plan can help households prevent bill shock.

The FCC protects Affordable Connectivity Program members by empowering them to choose the service plan that best meets their needs, including plans they may already be on. The plan:

  • Ensures consumers have supported broadband services regardless of their economic status
  • Prohibits providers from excluding low-income households and consumers with due balances or prior debt before they enroll in the ACP
  • Prevents consumers from enrolling in more expensive or lower-quality plans due to their past credit to receive the ACP
  • Protects consumers from early termination fees
  • Reduces the potential for bill shock and related financial harm

Where Can I Apply for PCs for People’s Affordable Connectivity Program?

Anyone in the United States can shop at PCs for People online. We currently serve nine markets across seven states with retail stores for affordable internet services and low-cost technology.

 

Join PCs for People’s Low-Cost Internet Service Today

PCs for People helps eligible households compare providers and join our affordable programs.

Get your high-speed internet essentials ready to empower your home internet.

Learn more about our eligibility criteria here.