T-Mobile announced today that they will be participating in the new Affordable Connectivity Program created recently by congress via their existing Lifeline Assistance brand called Assurance Wireless.
The Affordable Connectivity Program, or ACP for short, is a new federal assistance program beginning at the start of the year. The program is replacing the existing Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) program created to help with internet costs during the pandemic.
Assurance Wireless currently offers a free cell phone plan and device for eligible customers as part of the EBB. The ACP will be extending this plan indefinitely, offering free unlimited talk, text, and data (plus 10GB of hotspot) to eligible low-income customers. Those customers will also receive a free android-based smartphone.
To qualify for the program, households must participate in programs like SNAP, WIC, or Medicaid, or have an income of less than 200% of the federal poverty level.
Customers that are already enrolled in the EBB will continue to receive those benefits until March 1st. Before that date hits, those customers will receive personalized info from T-Mobile on how to apply or transfer to the new Affordable Connectivity Program.
New customers who are interested in the program can check eligibility and apply beginning Friday December 31st. The program can be applied to on the Assurance Wireless website.
