A federal program called the Affordable Connectivity Program is designed to help households afford the broadband service they need for work, school, healthcare and more. The Wichita Public Library will help residents enroll in the program through a series of workshops at two branches next month. The ACP provides:
• A discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households
• A discount of up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands
• One-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 towards the purchase price
The library’s technology trainers will be available the following dates and locations to assist residents with enrollment:
• Wednesday, March 8: noon-6 p.m., Walters Branch, 4195 E. Harry St.
• Wednesday, March 15: noon-6 p.m., Walters Branch, 4195 E. Harry St.
• Friday, March 17, 1:30-5:30 p.m., Evergreen Branch, 2601 N. Arkansas
• Wednesday, March 22: noon-6 p.m., Walters Branch, 4195 E. Harry St.
• Friday, March 24, 1:30-5:30 p.m., Evergreen Branch, 2601 N. Arkansas
• Friday, March 31, 1:30-5:30 p.m., Evergreen Branch, 2601 N. Arkansas
A household is eligible for the ACP if the household income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or if a member of the household meets at least one of the following criteria:
• Received a Pell Grant during the current award year;
• Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider’s existing low-income internet program;
• Participates in one of these assistance programs:
o Free and reduced-price school lunch program or school breakfast program, including at U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Community Eligibility Provision schools.
o SNAP
o Medicaid
o Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program (Section 8 Vouchers)
o Project-Based Rental Assistance (PBRA)/202/811
o Public Housing
o Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
o WIC
o Veterans Pension or Survivor Benefits
o Or Lifeline;
• Participates in one of these assistance programs and lives on Qualifying Tribal lands:
o Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
o Tribal TANF
o Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
o Tribal Head Start (income based)
o Affordable Housing Programs for American Indians, Alaska Natives or Native Hawaiians
Eligible households can enroll online at affordableconnectivity.gov to submit an online application or print a mail-in application, or by contacting their preferred broadband provider and selecting a plan.
