How to get Free Internet in Georgia (2023)

Did you know that your household may qualify to receive free internet in Georgia? Yes, it’s true! Low income families in Georgia can receive free or discounted monthly internet through the new Affordable Connectivity Program. 

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) helps low-income Georgia households pay for the internet service needed for work, school, healthcare and more.

Households that qualify for the ACP internet credit will receive a $30 discount on their internet bill each month.

Your household may be eligible to receive a $30 monthly internet discount if you currently participate in a government assistance program, such as food stamps, or meet the income requirements.

To learn more about how to get Free Internet in Georgia and qualify for the $30 ACP discount, then continue reading below.

In this article, we will cover:

• What is the Affordable Connectivity Program?
• Free Internet for Low Income Families and Georgia EBT Cardholders
• Discounted Internet Eligibility Guidelines for 2023
• $30 ACP Credit Income Requirements
• How to Apply for the Low Income Free Internet Discount in Georgia
• Eligible Georgia ACP Internet Providers
• Low Income Free Internet Program FAQs

How to get Free Internet in Georgia (2023)

In this guide, we will walk you through the steps on how to get Free Internet in Georgia through the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).

What is the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)?

The Affordable Connectivity Program is a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program that helps ensure that households can afford the broadband they need for work, school, healthcare and more.

The ACP replaces the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBB) that helped families and households struggling to afford internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Changes to the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program

In December 2021, the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program was replaced with the Affordable Connectivity Program.

As a result, any EBB recipient automatically received their $50 monthly internet credit until March 1, 2022.

After that, EBB recipients are required to apply for the new Affordable Connectivity Program to continue receiving benefits.

The Affordable Connectivity Program is a permanent, long-term $14 billion investment to support broadband internet affordability for low-income households.

This helps to ensure that all households can access and afford the internet service needed for work, school, and healthcare.

In addition, the maximum monthly benefit changed from $50 per month to $30 per month for eligible households.

How much of a discount will I get on my internet?

If your household is eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program, you can receive:

• Up to a $30/month discount on your internet service
• Up to a $75/month discount if your household is on qualifying Tribal lands
• A one-time discount of up to $100 towards the purchase of an eligible laptop, tablet, or desktop computer

To learn more about the how to get Free Internet in Georgia for Low Income Families and EBT Cardholders, then continue reading below.

Low Cost & Free Internet Program in Georgia

There are three ways your household can qualify for low cost or free internet in Georgia.

To be eligible for the $30 ACP internet credit your household must meet one of the guidelines in order to receive the discount through your internet provider each month.

Here are the three ways your household can qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program:

1. Based on your household income
2. If you or your child or dependent participate in Georgia Assistance Program such as SNAP, Medicaid or WIC
3. If you or your child or dependent already receives a Lifeline benefit

To learn more about the three qualifications listed above and to find out if you are eligible, continue reading below.

Free Internet Eligibility Guidelines for 2023

We will walk you through each of the three ways you can qualify for the Low Income Free Internet Program in Georgia.

These eligibility guidelines will determine if you qualify for the $30 ACP internet credit.

#1 – Income Requirements for ACP Internet Discount

The first way to qualify for free or discounted internet is based on your household income.

You can qualify to get the $30 ACP Internet Credit if your income is 200% or less than the Federal Poverty Guidelines.

These guidelines are based on your state and household size.

Use the table below to see if your household income qualifies for the monthly ACP internet credit.

The table below reflects 200% of the 2023 Federal Poverty Guidelines:

Please note, you may be asked to provide proof of income when applying for the low income free internet credit. This can include a current tax return or three consecutive pay stubs.

To learn more about income verification documents you may be asked to provide, continue reading this article. We will cover that information in the next section.

If you are currently receiving benefits from another government assistance program such as Georgia food stamps or cash assistance, you may automatically qualify for the $30 internet credit.

To learn more, continue reading below.

#2 – Georgia EBT or Assistance Program Participation

The second way to qualify for the ACP internet discount is through your current Georgia assistance benefits or EBT Card. If you are currently enrolled and receiving benefits through another government assistance program (such as Georgia food stamps), you may automatically qualify for the $30 ACP internet credit.

Georgia Programs that qualify for the Free Internet Discount

You can get free internet for low income families if you or someone in your household participates in one of the following Georgia benefits programs:

• Food Stamps or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
• Medicaid (MA)
• Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
• Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit (DVS)
• Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch Program (NSLP)
• School Breakfast Program (SBP)
• USDA Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) schools in the 2019-20, 2020-21, or 2021-22 school year
• Received a Federal Pell Grant in the current award year

Please note, you may be asked to provide proof of enrollment in any of the following programs listed above.

This can include a card, letter, or official document that shows your participation in one of the programs.

To learn more about this, continue reading and skip to the next section.

#3 – If You Already Receive a Lifeline Benefit

The third way you can qualify for the monthly low income free internet credit is through the Lifeline Program.

If you already receive a Lifeline benefit for discounted monthly phone service, you can automatically qualify for the $30 ACP internet credit.

You will be able to receive both the Lifeline phone and ACP internet credit at the same time.

Additionally, you can apply for the ACP internet benefit through the same or separate company you are using for the Lifeline Program.

Contact your internet company directly to learn more about adding the ACP internet discount. 

ACP Tribal Assistance Program

Additionally, if you live on qualifying Tribal lands, you can get an increased ACP internet credit through the enhanced tribal benefit program.

ACP Tribal Benefit recipients can get up to a $75 per month credit on their internet service.

To qualify, your household income must be at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.

Additionally, you can also qualify if you or someone in your household participates in:

• Any of the federal assistance programs listed above
• Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) General Assistance
• Head Start Program (only households meeting the income qualifications)
• Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF)
• Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)

Please note, you will be asked to provide proof of participation in any of the programs listed above.

To learn more about the enhanced Tribal Benefit through the Affordable Connectivity Program, click here.

Unfortunately, there are there are no federally-recognized tribal lands in Georgia at this time.

Free Internet Program Application

If you believe you qualify for the $30 ACP Internet Credit based on the eligibility standards listed above, your next step is to submit your application.

If you want to submit an Free Internet for Low Income Families Application, you will be asked to provide the following information:

• You full legal name
• Phone Number
• Date of Birth
• Email Address
• Social Security Number
• Home & Mailing Address
• Information for Household Members
• Household Income
• Government Assistance Information (if applicable)

Be sure to have this information ready prior to completing your application for discounted internet.

How to Apply for Free Internet in Georgia

There are three ways to apply for free or discounted internet through the Affordable Connectivity Program – online, by mail, and through your local internet provider.

We will walk you through the step-by-step process on how to apply using each of the three methods below.

Already a Lifeline participant?

If you are currently enrolled in the Lifeline program, you do not have to apply again for the ACP internet discount.

You can apply your Lifeline and ACP benefit to the same or separate services.

To do this, reach out to your internet company directly to enroll in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).

Option #1 – Apply Online

The quickest and easiest way to apply for the ACP internet credit is online.

To complete your free internet application online, visit the ACP Application page on the Lifeline website or go to ACPBenefit.org.

Complete the information and proceed to login or create a Lifeline online account.

Option #2 – Submit your Application by Mail

The second way to complete the ACP Application is by mail. To submit your application for the $30 internet credit, print out the application here.

Once you’ve completed your application and Household Worksheet, mail both to the ACP Support Center.

Mail your completed ACP Application to:

ACP Support Center Address

PO Box 7081
London, KY 40742

To ensure faster application processing, be sure to include copies of your verification documents.

Option #3 – Contact your Internet Provider

The last option to apply for the ACP internet discount is directly through your internet provider.

If you already have an internet provider, contact them to see if they participate in the Affordable Connectivity Program.

Additionally, you can use this online tool to find an ACP provider near you.

If you are already enrolled and participating in the Lifeline Program for discounted phone service, contact your provider to take advantage of the ACP internet discount.

Congratulations! You’ve now successfully submitted your application to receive a monthly $30 internet credit!

If you apply online, you may receive an immediate approval. If your eligibility can not be approved automatically, you will receive an email or letter requesting additional documentation.

To learn more about what happens after you apply, including verification documentation, continue reading below.

After you’re Approved for ACP Internet Discount

Once your ACP application has been approved for $30 internet credit each month, here’s what you need to do:

1. Submit any requested Verification Documentation
2. Find the local ACP participating companies near you.
3. Choose an eligible internet provider.
4. Sign up for internet service.
5. Find out what additional services are available for ACP recipients.

Once you’ve completed these steps, the $30 ACP internet credit will automatically be deducted from your bill each month.

Verification Documentation

If you qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program, you may be asked to submit documentation to verify your identity, address, income, and assistance program participation.

Documentation must include your:

1. First name
2. Last name
3. Date of Birth

Some examples of approved ACP verification documents may include:

• A valid government, military, state or Tribal ID
• Birth Certificate, U.S. Driver’s License or Passport
• Certificate of U.S. Citizenship or Naturalization
• Permanent Resident Card or Green Card
• Government assistance program document
• Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) document
• Prior year’s state, federal, or Tribal tax return
• Mortgage or lease statement

Once you have successfully submitted all verification documentation, you can proceed by finding an ACP internet provider near you.

To find an eligible Georgia ACP internet provider near you, continue reading below.

ACP Free Internet Providers in Georgia for 2023

Currently, there are 152 internet providers that participate in the Affordable Connectivity Program and offer free internet to low income households in Georgia.

This list includes Access Wireless, AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Comcast Xfinity, Century Link, Cox, Boost Mobile, and many more.

Georgia EBT Cardholders can choose from 71 mobile wifi internet providers or 81 home fixed internet providers.

We have also identified the companies that offer free internet service with ACP and/or a discounted device such as a laptop, desktop computer or tablet. Some companies listed below offer offer free internet service when approved for the ACP.

We’ve provided a list of all the Georgia companies offering free or discounted internet to EBT Cardholders below.

Free Internet Program FAQs

Check out the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the Free Internet for Low Income Families in Georgia.

Will I receive a check each month?

No, the Affordable Connectivity Program provides a monthly discount on internet service.

This will come directly off your internet bill. You will not be sent a check in the mail or electronic transfer.

Can I receive more than one ACP benefit?

No, only one monthly service discount and device discount is allowed per household.

In addition, your household cannot get the ACP benefit from more than one company.

If more than one person in your household participates in the ACP, you are breaking the FCC’s rules and will lose your monthly benefit.

Can I sign up for the ACP internet discount if I am already an internet customer?

Yes, the Affordable Connectivity Program internet credit is available to eligible new, past and current customers of participating ACP internet providers.

This means if you are a Comcast Xfinity internet customer, you can still apply for the $30 ACP internet credit with them.

Can I apply for the ACP internet credit if I have a past due internet bill?

Yes, eligible Georgia households with a past due balance or a balance in collections are still eligible for the ACP Internet benefit.

Will I have to provide proof of my income?

Yes, to complete your ACP Application you may be asked to provide proof of your household income.

Approved income documentation can include:

• The prior year’s tax return
• Three consecutive pay stubs
• Current income statement
• Social Security, Veterans Administration, Unemployment, Worker’s Compensation or Retirement statement of benefits

Can I receive both discounted phone and internet service?

The Affordable Connectivity Program is separate from the FCC’s Lifeline Program. If your household qualifies for both programs, you can apply to receive both phone and internet benefits.

For example, you could apply the Lifeline benefit to a mobile service and apply an ACP benefit to an internet service to your home. You could also apply your Lifeline and ACP benefit to a single internet service from the same provider.

To learn more about how to save on your monthly phone bill with the Lifeline Program, check out our article here.

Can I give my ACP internet credit to someone else?

The ACP internet credit is not transferable. This means that you cannot give your internet discount to anyone else, even if they qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program.

What happens if my income no longer qualifies for the ACP internet credit?

If you no longer qualify for the ACP benefit (such as your income exceeds the income level or you no longer participate in a qualifying benefits program), you must notify your ACP internet provider or the ACP administrator within 30 days.

Georgia EBT Discounts & Free Admission

Want to save even more with your Georgia EBT Card and food stamp benefits?

Check out the complete list of Georgia EBT Discounts for 2023 available exclusively with your Georgia SNAP EBT Card.

Discounts include discounted Amazon Prime, home and cell phone service, and more.

Plus, check out the list of places that you can get FREE admission at with your Georgia EBT Card.

There are over 15 locations that offer free or discounted admission in Georgia including museums, zoos, botanical gardens, aquariums and more!

Free Internet for Low Income Families Summary

We hope this post about how to get Free Internet in Georgia was helpful to you!

If you have additional questions about the ACP Free Internet Program for Low income Families, please let us know in the comments section below.

In addition, if you have any questions about the Georgia food stamps or SNAP EBT Program, please let us know.

In the meantime, for more help on with your Georgia Food Stamp benefits, check out our other articles here:

Low Cost Internet Providers in Georgia
Georgia Food Stamps Calculator
Georgia EBT Deposit Dates & Schedule
Stores in Georgia that Accept EBT on InstaCart
Are we getting Extra Food Stamps in Georgia? 

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