Affordable Connectivity Helps With Internet Fees

RISON - In addition to establishing a high speed internet infrastructure to serve all the state, the Arkansas State Broadband Office is also making it a goal to make broadband internet service as affordable as possible. One way to do that is through the Affordable Connectivity Program, a federally-funded program that provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a 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 toward the purchase price. The Affordable Connectivity Program, according to the FCC, is limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount per household. Those eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program includes households that are at or below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or if a member of the household meets at least one of the criteria below: •    Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year; •    Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider’s existing low-income internet program; Or participates in one of these assistance programs:  •    Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program, including at U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Community Eligibility Provision schools. •    SNAP •    Medicaid •    Federal Housing Assistance, including: •    Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program (Section 8 Vouchers) •    Project-Based Rental Assistance (PBRA)/Section 202/ Section 811 •    Public Housing •    Supplemental Secu...