AT&T Internet offers different discounts and low-budget internet plans for low-income households. These plans ensure that the internet connection is accessible to everyone.
There are several AT&T Wi-Fi plans for low-income families. These plans come in both a package and discounts on monthly bills. AT&T can retain its customers through the Affordable Connectivity Program. The discount rate will be applicable on any Wi-Fi connection by AT&T. The other plans by AT&T are AT&T Access and AT&T Lifeline.
To enable any of the above plans, the customers must submit eligibility proof. These will be the certificate of participation or the eligibility certificate by the Federal Government.
Affordable Connectivity Program From AT&T
The Federal Government has introduced a new program for affordable home internet. With proper eligibility, low-income households access the program. It is a broadband service that allows people with lower affordability to access internet connections for education and business purposes.
This program is on specific plans. An eligible household can reduce their monthly bill up to $30. People living on the tribal lands can even access a discount of $70 per month.
Under this program, low-income households can even get discounts on electronic devices to access the internet connection. Along with AT&T, the Affordable Connective Program spreads the internet connection for all.
Eligibility for Connectivity Program
To get the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) through AT&T, households must have some criteria. To begin with, the total income of a family must be at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
Here are some other eligibility criteria that a household must meet to benefit from the Affordable Connectivity Program:
- The participating providers’ existing low internet programs must meet income criteria.
- The Federal Pell Grant is distributed every year among low-income families. Households receiving the Grant in the following year are also eligible for The affordable connectivity program.
- Households participating in the following programs are also eligible for the affordable connectivity program.
- Participation in some programs also gives the required eligibility - The National School Lunch Program, The School Breakfast Program, Medicaid, SNAP, Supplemental Security Income, Federal Public Housing Assistance, WIC, Veterans Pension or Survivors Benefits, and Lifeline.
- For the Tribal Community, participation in the following programs also counts - Tribal TANF, Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, and Tribal Head Start (income-based).
Features of the Connectivity Program
The features of the Affordable Connectivity Program are specially designed for low-income households. This ensures connectivity for all without much financial burden.
- ACP allows consumers to choose any plan they need or apply it to their existing plan.
- The program ensures that the consumer gets Wi-Fi service through AT&T regardless of their credit score.
- Even if the household has due balances, they can enable ACP without any concern.
- Like regular customers of AT&T, customers with ACP e will not pay any early termination fees.
- There are no extra charges for the overage consumption of Internet data.
These features are introduced under the Affordable Connectivity Program to preserve consumers’ rights and make them more available for lower-income households. People under the Affordable Connectivity Program also receive other benefits offered by AT&T regular customers.
How To Apply For Affordable Connectivity Program At AT&T
To receive the Affordable Connectivity Program benefits from AT&T Wi-Fi connection, you must enroll in the Affordable Connectivity Program. The process is described step by step.
Step 1: Apply To the Affordable Connectivity Program
On the website of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), there is an application form to receive the benefit. Submit an application form and wait for the approval.
Step 2: Collect The Approval Letter
The approval letter can be downloaded from the site. It takes a short time to get the approval with proper eligibility. Applicants will also receive mail with an approval letter. Please print out the mail or download it.
Step 3: Contact AT&T
The Affordable Connectivity Program benefits can be claimed by the consumer both online and offline at AT&T. With the approval letter, contact AT&T, and the discount will be added to the monthly bill.
Other AT&T Wi-Fi Plans For Low-Income Families
Along with the Affordable Connectivity Program, AT&T has its own programs for low-income households. These programs are for home Wi-Fi connections.
AT&T Access Wi-Fi Programs
AT&T Access is an internet benefit provided for Wi-Fi connections by AT&T. With this program, some specific households can get a low-budget plan.
The program’s features allow small households to access internet connections to do necessary work. It might not be enough for heavy gaming, but it is perfect for the household members to stay connected at the same time.
If you are looking for an Internet connection for gaming purposes please see this: Best Internet for Gaming.
Features And Benefits of AT&T Access
The features and benefits of AT&T Access help the eligible household to get an internet connection through Wi-Fi at a meager cost. The features of AT&T Access are discussed in the following.
- Price Point And Internet Speed:
AT&T Access offers an internet connection adaptor cost of $30 per month. This price point gets slower if the internet connection speed is lower depending on the palace of connection. At this price point, a speed of 100 Mbps is available.
This speed is enough for the household members to stay connected to multiple devices. But heavy like elite gaming is not possible under this connection.
- Perks Of Regular AT&T Connection:
With AT&T Access, all the benefits of regular AT&T connections are available. The installation of the in-home Wi-Fi comes free of cost.
Also, there is no need to have any yearly contract. This means the payment will be only for the month when the connection is used.
There is also no need to deposit money before getting the connection. Similarly, there is no early termination fee. Therefore, the users can cancel the connection anytime they want.
You can even use their nifty phone bill pay system. Just learn how to pay AT&T internet bills by phone and enjoy the perks!
Eligibility For AT&T Access
The eligibility for the AT&T Access program comes from participation in some national helping programs. Those are-
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI) (California residents only)
- Supplemental Nutritional Access Program (SNAP)
- The National School Lunch Program
- The Head Start Program
If the household members have participated in any following programs, they get eligible for the AT&T Access program.
AT&T Lifeline Program
AT&T Lifeline is a federal program that offers a discount of $9.25 on the monthly bill. Anyone with the proper eligibility can claim the discount on any Wi-Fi internet plan. AT&T’s lifeline is not a specific plan. Instead, it applies to any purchased plan by a low-income household.
Eligibility For AT&T lifeline
There are two eligibility conditions for claiming AT&T lifeline. Those are-
- The household’s income has to be 135% or less than the Federal property guideline.
- At least one household member must participate in any of the following programs - SNAP, SSI, Federal Public Housing Assistance, Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit, and Tribal Programs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Final Words
AT&T Wi-Fi plans for low-income households have made it easier to spread internet connection. AT&T has been working with the Federal government and providing cheap rate plans with discounts and proper internet speeds to its consumers. Programs like AT & T Access and AT&T lifeline have also made it easier to claim the discount.
Even with these discount plans, a consumer can access all other benefits of the AT&T Wi-Fi connections. The service provided to the discount customers is no different from that provided to the regular customers. Low-income households can easily access internet connections on a budget with these plans.
