Internet opens vast opportunities in front of us. In our daily life, in every moment of the day, we depend on internet. In the time of pandemic , we could feel the importance of internet. The Government also realize this fact. Now the government tries its best to make internet affordable to common low-income people. To achieve the goal, government established Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). Altice USA’s Optimum is proud to be a partner with the government in Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). With the help of Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Optimum offers a phone plan with discount of up to ($30/mo for residents of non-Tribal Lands) or up to ($75/mo for residents of Tribal Lands). for its valued new and current customers.
Eligibility Criteria for Optimum Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)
In the Affordable Connectivity Program, An individual or a household is eligible if they fulfill some criteria. These criteria are mainly of two types. So, to be eligible for Optimum Affordable Connectivity Program, a person or a household also need to fulfil the above criteria. The eligibility for Optimum Affordable connectivity Program (ACP) is described below:
- Income based Eligibility: You or Your household can be qualified for Optimum Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) if your or your household’s income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
- Participation based Eligibility: If you or any member of your household participates in any of the following government or Federal Assistance Program , then you are eligible for the Optimum Affordable Connectivity Program.
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program(SNAP).
- Supplemental Security Income(SSI).
- Federal Public Housing Assistance.(FPHA)
- Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit.
- Medicaid.
- Free or Reduced-price School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program, at US Department of Agriculture(USDA)Community Eligibility Provision Schools in the 2021-22, 2020-21, or 2019-20, school year.
- Acquired a Federal Pell Grant in the current Award Year.
- Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for WIC(women, infants, and children).
- Tribal Assistance Program: If you reside in a qualifying Tribal Land, then you can be qualified for the Optimum Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), if your or your household’s income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty guidelines or if you or a member of your household takes part in any of the following Programs:
- Any of the above mentioned Federal Assistance Program.
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance.
- Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.(TANF).
- Head Start (Only Households meeting the income qualifying standard).
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations.(FDPIR)
- If you already have Lifeline Benefits: Lifeline is a supportive Program from Federal Communications Commission(FCC) that makes communication service affordable to low-income People. If you are eligible for the Lifeline, then you are automatically eligible for Optimum ACP too.
What Document Should I Submit When Apply Optimum ACP Program
When you apply for the Optimum Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), you need to submit documents to prove your Identity, Address, Proof of participation in the federal assistance programs etc. Here is given a list of these necessary documents.
- To prove your Identity, you have to provide one of the following documents:
- Birth Certificate.
- Driver’s License or Passport(Unexpired).
- Certificate of Naturalization or U.S. Citizenship.
- Permanent Resident or Resident Alien card(Unexpired).
- Foreign Passport.
- To prove your address, you have to submit one of the following documents:
- Driver’s License; Government, State, or Tribal issued ID(Unexpired).
- Current income statement, Paycheck stub, or W2.
- Statement of Benefits from a qualifying program that contains your name and address.
- Current Mortgage or Lease statement.
- Utility Bill.
- To prove that you or one of your household participates in Government or Federal Assistance programs such as SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, etc, you have to submit one of the following documents as proof:
- Current or Prior year’s statement of benefits from a qualifying state, Federal, or Tribal program.
- Notice letter of participation in a qualifying state, Federal , or Tribal Program.
- Government or Federal assistance program participation Documents.
- Another official Document evidencing the consumer’s participation in a qualifying state, Federal, or Tribal program.
How to Apply for Optimum Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)
Before Apply For the Optimum Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), you must ensure that you are eligible for the Optimum ACP. If you are already a lifeline subscriber then you are automatically qualified for the ACP and you do not need to apply again. You also have to prepare all soft copies of your all necessary documents when apply online. There are 3 ways to apply for the Optimum Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). They are:
- Apply via Online: You can enroll for Optimum service via online. Just go to: “affordableconnectivity.gov/how-to-apply“. It will take you to the Affordable Connectivity program’s website. From the site you can directly fill up the FCC’s National verifier form. Fill up the form with all necessary fields and submit. You have to upload all your necessary documents’ soft copies.
- Apply via mail: you can print out an application form from: “affordableconnectivity.gov/help/tool/#instructions“. From the same website you can also print out the household worksheet form. Complete the application and fill out the household worksheet. Now you have to send the completed application, along with the completed household worksheet and all the copies of your proof documents to the following address: ACP Support Center, PO Box 9100, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18773.
- Apply through Optimum: You can contact Optimum Wireless and apply for the Optimum Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) through their application process. Visit: “optimum.com/affordable-connectivity-program“.
 After application submission, the Optimum authority will share the result of your application with you. Normally Online application is approved immediately. But if your eligibility cannot be confirmed immediately, then USAC authority request you to submit additional documents and also provide information on how you can submit those documents for review. In these cases it takes 3-4 days to be approved.
Optimum Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) Plans
The Optimum Affordable Connectivity Program uses T-Mobile’s 4G LTE/5G network and offers up to $30-$75 discount for its valued customers. For Optimum Affordable Connectivity program consumers from Tribal lands ,Optimum’s Plans are absolutely free. The Optimum ACP plans are given below:
Free with ACP(Light User)
- 1GB, Reg.$15/mo.
- Features: Send and receive emails and images, lightly browse the internet, and occasionally check social Media.
- Offers:
- 1 GB Premium Data.
- Unlimited talk and text.
- 5G access at no additional cost.
Free with ACP(Moderate User)
- 3GB, Reg. $25/mo
- Features: Stream music, closely follow social media, make a few video calls, and occasionally stream video.
- Offers:
- 3GB Premium data.
- Unlimited Talk and Text.
- 5G access at no additional cost.
$15/mo with ACP(Heavy User)
- Unlimited , Reg. $45/mo.
- Features: Regularly stream video and music, download and play connected games, and join work meetings on the go.
- Offers:
- 20 GB Premium Data.
- Unlimited talk and text.
- 5GB Hotspot.
- 5G access aty no additional cost.
$25/mo with ACP(Always Connected)
- Unlimited Max, Reg. $55/mo.
- Features: Regularly stream HD-quality video and music, download and play the most modern connected games, and more.
- Offers:
- 50 GB Premium Data.
- Unlimited talk and text.
- 15 GB Hotspot.
- 5G access at no additional cost.
An special offer for Optimum ACP Consumers: Qualifying new and current customers can use their ACP Benefit on the optimum Internet service if they wish. Once approved, they can enjoy internet for the whole month for free of cost at 300 Mbps Speed.
Restriction of Optimum Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)
To continue with the Optimum Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), you must be abide by some rules. These are:
- You must use your Optimum ACP service at least once in every 30 days, If you do not do so, then your service will be terminated.
- The Optimum ACP is non-transferable. That means you cannot transfer your ACP benefits to another individual or household though they are eligible.
- Optimum ACP is for eligible consumers only.
- To enroll in the Optimum Affordable Connectivity Program, you need to submit proof of eligibility.
- Only one Optimum ACP benefit is permitted per household.
- An Important Thing to Note: Each household can only receive one Optimum Affordable Connectivity Benefit. The benefit is portable from one participating provider to another, but cannot be transferred to another individual or household even though they qualified. Qualifying Households will be subject to optimum’s undiscounted rates and general terms and conditions if they disqualify, de-enroll, transfer their benefit to another provider without cancelling service, or if the program ends.
Optimum Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) Recertification
Every year, USAC authority or your internet provider check to confirm that you are still qualified for the Affordable Connectivity Program or not. This verification process is called Recertification. If you are requested to respond to the recertification notice, but you do not respond timely, then you may lose your Optimum Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) Benefits and your internet service may be terminated.
How do I Contact Optimum for Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)?
If you have any enquiry, please contact their customer support. Phone support is available:
- Support: Optimum Mobile Customer service: 866-200-7186 or 611 (From an optimum mobile phone). Optimum Mobile Technical support: 866-200-7186 or 611( From an optimum mobile phone).
- For sales related enquiry: Optimum Mobile sales: 866-200-7004
- Support Hours: Monday – Friday : 8 A.M -10 P.M EST., Saturday – Sunday : 8 A.M-8 P.M EST.
Conclusion
To make internet affordable , government takes many necessary steps. In this regard, we can consider Optimum’s role as a helping effort to assist the government achieve the goal. Optimum, like many other wireless providers, plays a vital role in making internet affordable for low-income common people of the U.S. We hope that Optimum will continue their service and make internet not only affordable but also available for all citizens of the U.S.