There are 346,000 eligible Kansans who have not claimed their Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) benefit. The Affordable Connectivity Program provides discounts of up to $30 per month off of their internet bills for eligible households that meet program or income requirements, or up to $75 per month for households on qualifying tribal lands, as well as a one-time discount for up to $100 to purchase a laptop, tablet or desktop computer where available.

All households with a child who was approved to receive free or reduced-price school meals under the National School Lunch Program or the School Breakfast Program, within the last 12 months, including children who attend schools participating in the Community Eligibility Provision, are eligible for ACP benefits. Households are also independently eligible if (1) their income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level ($55,500 for a family of four); or (2) a member of the household participates in certain other Federal benefit programs - including, among others, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), Medicaid, and Federal Public Housing Assistance.

For more information, check out www.affordableconnectivity.gov.  Families also can check their eligibility, sign up and find fully covered plans at GetInternet.gov (mobile-accessible and available in Spanish) or by calling 877-384-2575.

School personnel are encouraged to provide information on this benefit with their community to determine if they qualify and how to apply for the program. Teachers, counselors, assistants and administrative personnel can share this information at enrollment, back-to-school activities, text notification, direct mail, game programs, announcements, webpage, social media, newsletters, blogs, etc.

Download the Outreach Toolkit, brochures and flyers to educate families about the program at this link: Community Resources - ACP - Universal Service Administrative Company (affordableconnectivity.gov).