Assistance
Assistance
Affordable Connectivity Program
What is the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)?
ACP is a federal program designed to assist low-income households in paying for broadband internet service and connected devices. ACP is under the authority of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and is administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC). ACP replaced the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBBP).
Eligible households can receive a discount of up to $30 a month, or up to $75 a month on Tribal Lands, on internet service. Additionally, eligible households can receive a one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price.
How does the program work?
- ACP is available for all service offerings (including broadband internet access service or a bundle of broadband internet service and voice telephone service).
- The ACP benefit is non-transferable and limited to one monthly internet discount per household and a one-time connected device discount per household.
- You may obtain ACP-supported broadband internet service from any participating provider of your choosing and may change providers at any time.
- If the program ends or when a household is no longer eligible, customers will be subject to RTC Communications’ regular rates, terms, and conditions.
Who is eligible for ACP?
You can get ACP if you (or someone in your household):
- Already receive a Lifeline Benefit
- Participate in any of these Federal Assistance programs:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as Food Stamps
- Medicaid
- Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
- Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
- National School Lunch Program or the School Breakfast Program, including through the S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Community Eligibility Provision
- Received a Federal Pell Grant in the current award year
- Participate in any of these Tribal Assistance programs:
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
- Head Start (only households meeting the income qualifying standard)
- Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF)
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
- Or if your household income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. The Federal Guideline is based on your household size and state.
Affordable Connectivity Program
What is the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)?
ACP is a federal program designed to assist low-income households in paying for broadband internet service and connected devices. ACP is under the authority of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and is administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC). ACP replaced the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBBP).
Eligible households can receive a discount of up to $30 a month, or up to $75 a month on Tribal Lands, on internet service. Additionally, eligible households can receive a one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price.
How does the program work?
- ACP is available for all service offerings (including broadband internet access service or a bundle of broadband internet service and voice telephone service).
- The ACP benefit is non-transferable and limited to one monthly internet discount per household and a one-time connected device discount per household.
- You may obtain ACP-supported broadband internet service from any participating provider of your choosing and may change providers at any time.
- If the program ends or when a household is no longer eligible, customers will be subject to RTC Communications’ regular rates, terms, and conditions.
Who is eligible for ACP?
You can get ACP if you (or someone in your household):
- Already receive a Lifeline Benefit
- Participate in any of these Federal Assistance programs:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as Food Stamps
- Medicaid
- Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
- Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
- National School Lunch Program or the School Breakfast Program, including through the S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Community Eligibility Provision
- Received a Federal Pell Grant in the current award year
- Participate in any of these Tribal Assistance programs:
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
- Head Start (only households meeting the income qualifying standard)
- Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF)
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
- Or if your household income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. The Federal Guideline is based on your household size and state.
How do households apply?
Step 1: Apply to qualify with USAC at ACPBenefit.org.
Step 2: After USAC determines you are eligible, call RTC Communications to enroll in the ACP program.
Households currently enrolled in the Lifeline program: You do not need to contact USAC; call RTC Communications to enroll in the ACP program.
For more information, please call our customer service number at (812) 486-3211 or visit www.fcc.gov/acp or www.usac.org/about/affordable-connectivity-program/.
Who can you contact if you have a complaint?
If you are having difficulties enrolling with RTC Communications or having issues with RTC Communications regarding an ACP-supported service, you have the right to file a complaint with the FCC’s Consumer Complaint Center.
For more information, please contact the FCC’s Consumer Complaint Center at 888-CALL-FCC (888-225-5322) or visit https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov.
Ready to get started? Two Steps to Enroll:
1) Go to ACPBenefit.org to submit an application or print out a mail-in application.
2) Once approved, fill out the consent form by clicking the button on right.
Contact us once you’ve completed steps 1 and 2 to select a plan and have the discount applied to your bill. Some providers may have an alternative application that they will ask you to complete.
Eligible households must both apply for the program and contact a participating provider to select a service plan.
How do households apply?
Step 1: Apply to qualify with USAC at ACPBenefit.org.
Step 2: After USAC determines you are eligible, call RTC Communications to enroll in the ACP program.
Households currently enrolled in the Lifeline program: You do not need to contact USAC; call RTC Communications to enroll in the ACP program.
For more information, please call our customer service number at (812) 486-3211 or visit www.fcc.gov/acp or www.usac.org/about/affordable-connectivity-program/.
Who can you contact if you have a complaint?
If you are having difficulties enrolling with RTC Communications or having issues with RTC Communications regarding an ACP-supported service, you have the right to file a complaint with the FCC’s Consumer Complaint Center.
For more information, please contact the FCC’s Consumer Complaint Center at 888-CALL-FCC (888-225-5322) or visit https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov.
Ready to get started? Two Steps to Enroll:
1) Go to ACPBenefit.org to submit an application or print out a mail-in application.
2) Once approved, fill out the consent form by clicking the button on right.
Contact us once you’ve completed steps 1 and 2 to select a plan and have the discount applied to your bill. Some providers may have an alternative application that they will ask you to complete.
Eligible households must both apply for the program and contact a participating provider to select a service plan.
Lifeline Phone Assistance
RTC Communications offers Lifeline Assistance to eligible customers. Lifeline Assistance provides eligible residential customers with a $5.25 discount on monthly local phone service or a $9.25 discount on monthly broadband internet service when selecting a speed package of 25/3 or greater. Exceptions may apply to the speed package, please contact RTC Communications to inquire. Lifeline Assistance is available to all residential customers who meet the following requirements:
- Customers, their dependents, or their household must be participants in one of the following programs: Medicaid, SNAP, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), federal public housing assistance (section 8), or the Veteran’s or Survivor’s Pension Benefit.
- Only one discount is given per household, not one per person.
- In addition, a customer may be eligible if his or her household income is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
To apply for Lifeline assistance, please contact our office at (812) 486-3211. Application forms and help applying for Lifeline Assistance is available in our office. Lifeline customers must annually re-certify their continued eligibility by the anniversary of their service date.
Lifeline Phone Assistance
RTC Communications offers Lifeline Assistance to eligible customers. Lifeline Assistance provides eligible residential customers with a $5.25 discount on monthly local phone service or a $9.25 discount on monthly broadband internet service when selecting a speed package of 25/3 or greater. Exceptions may apply to the speed package, please contact RTC Communications to inquire. Lifeline Assistance is available to all residential customers who meet the following requirements:
- Customers, their dependents, or their household must be participants in one of the following programs: Medicaid, SNAP, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), federal public housing assistance (section 8), or the Veteran’s or Survivor’s Pension Benefit.
- Only one discount is given per household, not one per person.
- In addition, a customer may be eligible if his or her household income is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
To apply for Lifeline assistance, please contact our office at (812) 486-3211. Application forms and help applying for Lifeline Assistance is available in our office. Lifeline customers must annually re-certify their continued eligibility by the anniversary of their service date.