Can CalFresh/EBT recipients qualify for discount internet? Need help finding programs

Yes! You absolutely qualify for discounted internet through the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). Since you have CalFresh/EBT, you automatically qualify. Most major providers participate - AT&T, Spectrum, Xfinity, etc. You can get $30 off your monthly bill, and some providers offer special plans that would be completely covered by the discount (basically free internet). Go to affordableconnectivity.gov to apply and see all participating providers. You'll need to provide proof of your CalFresh benefits during the application.

i got it thru xfinity its like 10 bucks a month with the discount and its decent speed too not the super slow kind u usually get with discount stuff

Just adding that the program is the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), and it's actually administered by the FCC, not directly through CalFresh. But your CalFresh eligibility makes you automatically eligible. The discount is up to $30/month ($75 if you live on qualifying Tribal lands). Some providers even have special plans that would be completely covered by the $30 discount, meaning essentially free internet. I work as a benefits counselor, and I recommend applying directly on the ACP website first (affordableconnectivity.gov), then contacting your internet provider with your approval information. Some providers try to upsell you on more expensive plans when you could be getting a basic plan fully covered by the discount.

My sister got this and its been a huge help for her family. One thing tho - when you recertify your CalFresh you need to also recertify the internet discount or they cut it off. She found out the hard way lol

So this is kinda related but also if you get CalFresh you can usually get a discount on your cell phone too! Its called Lifeline and you get like a big discount on service or even a free phone. I've had it for years, way better than paying full price. Check that out too while your looking at the internet thing.

Getting through to verify your benefits with these internet companies can be a nightmare sometimes. I spent 3 hours on hold with my provider trying to get the discount applied after I was approved by ACP. If you're struggling to reach someone at your internet company about the ACP benefit, I'd recommend using Claimyr.com - it helped me actually get through to a human being without the endless hold times. They have a video showing how it works at https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8. Basically they wait on hold for you then call you when a real person answers. Made the whole process much easier.

One other important thing to note - the Affordable Connectivity Program is a federal benefit program, but it does have limited funding. Congress has to appropriate more funds for it to continue. I recommend getting signed up as soon as possible because if funding runs out, they may stop accepting new enrollments while continuing service for those already enrolled.

btw u can also get amazon prime cheaper with ebt too its like half price i think

I tried getting this discount last year and got DENIED because they said my income was too high even though I'm on CalFresh!!! Makes NO SENSE. The whole system is rigged to make you think you'll get help then deny you for some random reason. Total waste of time filling out all those forms just to get nothing.

Update: I just applied through the ACP website and it was actually pretty easy! Took about 15 minutes. I uploaded a screenshot of my CalFresh approval letter as proof. Now I just need to contact Spectrum to get the discount applied to my account. Thanks everyone for all the helpful information! I had no idea I qualified for so many different discounts with CalFresh.

Just wanted to add that if you have kids in school, some school districts also help connect families to these internet programs! My kid's school sent home a flyer about ACP when they found out we were on CalFresh. They even had someone from the district help families fill out the applications during a parent meeting. Worth checking with your school counselor or front office if you have school-age kids - they might have additional resources or be able to walk you through the process.

Another tip - if you're switching providers to take advantage of ACP, make sure to check if there are any installation fees or equipment costs. Some providers waive these for ACP customers, but others still charge. I switched from my expensive provider to a new one that offered a completely free plan through ACP, but they wanted to charge me $100 for installation. I called and asked them to waive it since I was an ACP customer and they did! Always worth asking - the worst they can say is no, but you might save some money upfront too.

Just wanted to share that some community centers and libraries also help with ACP applications! When I was helping my mom apply, we went to our local library and they had staff who could walk through the whole process with us. They even helped us compare different provider options in our area to find the best deal. Plus they had computers and printers available if you need to print documents or don't have internet access to apply online. Really helpful if you're not comfortable doing it all yourself or need someone to explain the process step by step.

Also worth mentioning that if you're a veteran, you might qualify for additional internet discounts on top of ACP! The VA has partnerships with some internet providers for extra savings. I'm a vet and I was able to stack my veteran discount with the ACP benefit to get free internet plus some premium channels. Definitely worth checking if you served - just contact your local VA office or check their website. They have people who can help you navigate all the different benefits you might be eligible for that you didn't even know about.

This thread has been so helpful! I just wanted to add that if you're having trouble with the ACP application process, don't give up. I actually had my first application rejected because I accidentally uploaded the wrong document (sent my EBT card photo instead of my CalFresh approval letter), but I reapplied with the correct paperwork and got approved within a few days. The customer service for ACP was actually pretty good when I called to ask what went wrong. They walked me through exactly what documents they needed and even stayed on the line while I resubmitted everything. Sometimes these government programs actually do work if you're persistent!

This whole thread is amazing - I had no idea there were so many different programs and discounts available! I just got my CalFresh benefits a couple months ago and nobody told me about any of this stuff when I applied. Reading through all these comments, it sounds like there are discounts for internet, phone service, Amazon Prime, and even help from libraries and schools. I feel like there should be some kind of comprehensive list or guide that tells you all the benefits you qualify for when you get approved for CalFresh. It's crazy that people have to stumble across this information by accident or through community forums like this. Thank you all for sharing your experiences - I'm going to start applying for these programs this weekend!