How to Apply for the Affordable Connectivity Program in Minutes

If eligible, you could save hundreds per year on cell phone bills.

Life during a pandemic has been challenging for many Americans. When we were quarantined for months on end, one of the biggest ways we stayed connected to our world was through reliable and trustworthy cell phone service.

Staying connected to our friends, family, school, doctors, and work was essential.

Some Americans unfortunately struggle to pay every bill that keeps their family afloat, and more often than not, have to choose which bills are most important to pay every month.

How much money do you spend per year on your cell phone bills? Wouldn’t it be a relief to not have to pay it at all?

What is the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)?

Last year the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) brought some help to Americans by introducing the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB), which began on May 12, 2021. The EBB was a temporary government program that provided discounts on certain connected devices to low-income Americans.

The EBB was created for Americans whose income was impacted by COVID-19. On December 31, 2021, the EBB was replaced by the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The ACP offers similar benefits that the EBB did, but it is now a program with no end date, and with broadened qualification requirements.

Similar to the EBB, the ACP helps low-income American households afford communication services they need in their lives. Qualified households may apply the discount to their bills; or they may apply for the program through an approved provider and receive benefits.

Q Link Wireless is an approved ACP provider and an approved provider of the Lifeline Assistance Program, a federally-run program that was established in the 1980s.

With these two programs, Q Link Wireless offers customers free monthly unlimited data, talk, and text. Q Link Wireless is on America’s largest 4G LTE/5G network; you may receive the free cell phone service on your own phone.

So, how do you apply for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)? First, let’s discuss how to see if you qualify for the ACP.

How to qualify for the ACP

If someone in your household is already signed up for Lifeline with Q Link Wireless, then you can also get ACP benefits and upgrade to free unlimited data, talk, and text.

If you don’t already participate in Lifeline, then there are other programs that may qualify you for the ACP. If you currently participate in a government program, then you may also qualify for the ACP.

Common government programs include:

• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, or Food Stamps)
• Medicaid
• Medicare
• Federal Public Housing Assistance (Section 8)
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

Another way to qualify for the ACP is based on your household’s income. If you don’t participate in any government programs, you may be eligible for the ACP if your income is at or below 200% of your state’s Federal Poverty Guidelines. 

For each additional person, add $9,080. Also, the amounts are different for Alaska.

Federal poverty guidelines change every year, so we recommend you check out your state’s guidelines to see if you may qualify by income. Make sure you take the numbers on that site and multiply them by two to see the 200% of the guidelines.

How to get ACP right away with Q Link Wireless

 As mentioned earlier, if you’re already a Lifeline subscriber with Q Link Wireless, then you can enroll in the ACP with them as well.

All you need to do is opt in for the ACP with a click of a button. Simply log into your Q Link online account, and then click on the opt in button that pops up once you log in.

If you receive Lifeline with a provider other than Q Link Wireless, you can transfer your Lifeline benefits to Q Link Wireless by signing up. Then, you can get both the Lifeline program and the ACP with Q Link Wireless.

Now, let’s talk about how to sign up if you aren’t already receiving Lifeline.

Let’s apply for the ACP!

The fastest and easiest way to apply is online is to visit qlinkwirelss.com/signup/, and enter your zip code and email address to get started. From there, you follow the easy steps to complete your application.

Make sure you select that you want to opt in for the ACP with Q Link Wireless when prompted. This will ensure you receive free unlimited data, talk, and text every month.

Q Link Wireless also allows you to bring your own phone to their 4G LTE/5G network. You’ll have to make sure that your phone is ready to be activated on a new network. Usually this means it must be compatible to be used with Q Link Wireless, and it must be unlocked from your previous provider. Learn about unlocking your phone here.

Since the ACP is a federal program, you may be requested to provide documents to move forward with your ACP enrollment. You may need to submit a copy of your proof of identity, proof of participation in a government program, or proof of income, depending on how you’re qualifying for the ACP.

Common types of proof documents include:

• An EBT card
• A Medicaid card
• A benefit check stub
• A statement of benefits
• A public housing assistance lease agreement
• A Section 8 voucher
• A Veterans Pension grant or letter
• An official award letter or documentation showing participation in a program

For a full list of documents, refer to this page here. Once you complete your application with Q Link Wireless, you’ll access the member’s area where you can upload your proof documents securely.

Once you submit your documents, you can move on to the final step in the enrollment process!

Very important: activate your service!

Once approved for the ACP, Q Link Wireless will send you activation instructions so you can use your benefits.

Q Link Wireless will send you a free SIM Card to activate the service on your phone. If you don’t activate your services after a period of time, you may lose your benefits and will have to reapply again to the ACP program.

Q Link Wireless has a guide on activating service on the network here.

Final things to keep in mind

The ACP is a non-transferrable program, and you may only receive one ACP discount per household. You must also notify Q Link Wireless if you no longer qualify for the ACP.

Q Link Wireless does not charge you at all for using the service. You’ll really get free unlimited data, talk, and text for as long as you qualify. There are no fees or service charges, ever. You’ll never have a credit check on your either.

The ACP is a long-term program with no end in sight; this allows Q Link Wireless to slash your phone bill for years to come!

If you’re not sure you qualify, apply and find out for free and unlimited cell phone service.

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