Straight Talk Affordable Connectivity Program

In the days of the pandemic, the US government realizes that Internet Access is essential for work, school, and healthcare, and so on. And the fact is that a huge number of citizens are unable to afford the internet. They work day to night to earn their living and high speed affordable and available internet is actually like a daydream to them. To help those people to become able to use the internet, the US Government takes some steps. The result of these necessary steps is the creation of the Emergency Broadband Benefit program, which turns into the Affordable Connectivity Program afterward.

To help the government with this program, like most other MVNOs, Straight Talk also comes forward. Straight Talk offers a discount of $30 per month on internet usage for eligible non -Tribal households and a discount of $ 75 for eligible Tribal land households. If you are eligible and belong to a low-income household then you can also take this advantage of Straight Talk.

To enroll in the affordable connectivity program, you must meet some criteria. Your eligibility for the Affordable Connectivity Program depends on two types of criteria. These are Income-based eligibility and participation-based eligibility.

Eligibility Requirements for Straight Talk Affordable Connectivity Program

Income-based Eligibility

You are eligible for the Straight Talk affordable Connectivity Program if your or your household’s income is equal to or less than 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.

Participation-based eligibility

Participation-based eligibility depends on your or your household’s participation in Government Assistance Programs. If you or one of your household members participates in any one or more of the following government assistance programs, then you or the member of your household is eligible to take benefits from the straight Talk affordable Connectivity Program.

1. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
2. Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
3. Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA).
4. Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit.
5. Medicaid.
6. Free or Reduced Price School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program, at U.S. Department of Agriculture(USDA) Community Eligibility Provision Schools in the 2021-22, 2020-21, or, 2019-20, school year.
7. Acquired a Federal Pell Grant in the current award year.
8. Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for WIC (Women, Infants, and children).

Tribal Assistance Program

If you are a resident of qualifying Tribal land, then you or a member of your household is considered eligible if your or his/her income is equal to or less than 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or if you or he/she takes part in any of the following Programs:

1. Any of the above-mentioned Federal Assistance Programs.
2. Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance.
3. Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).
4. Head Start (Only Households meeting the income qualifying standard).
5. Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR).

You are eligible if you already have lifeline benefits: Lifeline is an initiative of the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) that makes communication services affordable for low-income families. If you are a beneficiary of lifeline programs, then you are automatically eligible for the Straight Talk ACP.

To continue with the Straight Talk Affordable Connectivity Program you must abide by some rules:

1. You must use your Straight Talk Affordable Connectivity Benefits at least once every 30 days.
2. The Straight Talk ACP service is nontransferable. You cannot transfer your ACP Benefits to another individual or household if they are also eligible for the ACP service.
3. Straight Talk ACP is for eligible consumers only.
4. To enroll in the straight Talk Affordable Connectivity Program, you have to submit the necessary proof of eligibility.
5. Only one Straight Talk ACP Benefit is permitted per household.
6. You must recertify your eligibility to the Affordable Connectivity Program’s authority once every year.

Reasons to Choose Straight Talk among other MVNOs

You should choose Straight Talk for the following reasons. 

Straight Talk offers a free phone with:

• Free Unlimited Data.
• Free Unlimited Talk and Text.
• Free 10 GB of Hotspot Data.
• The Opportunity to keep your device and number (BYOP).
• Reliable Call services.
• Access to nationwide Network.
• High-speed streaming quality.
• No Contracts.
• No Hidden Fees.
• Auto-Refill Discounts.
• Regular Deals on Plans and Cell Phones.
• No Early Termination Fee.

Way to Apply for Straight Talk Affordable Connectivity Program

You can apply for Straight Talk ACP through the following Processes:

1. Online.
2. Via Mail.
3. Via Straight Talk.

Apply Via Online

you can visit acpbenefit.org and fill out the application form for Affordable Connectivity Program. Then choose Straight Talk as your preferred provider.

Apply Via Mail

To apply via mail, you need to print out an application form in English or Spanish as you prefer from the ACP’s Official website. You also have to print out the household worksheet and fill it out.

Now send the completed Application, along with the completed household worksheet and all the copies of your proof documentation to:

ACP Support Center
PO Box 7081,
London, KY 40742.

Via Straight Talk

You can apply directly through Straight Talk. You can contact them at 1-833-343-8322 and take their guidance with the application or you may go to their website and apply from there.

Documents Needed for Approval of the Straight Talk Affordable Connectivity Program

To be approved as a beneficiary of the Straight Talk ACP, you need to submit the following documents. These documents work as proof of your Identity, Address, Income, or Participation in the Federal Government Assistance Program, etc. Before applying, prepare all these documents and their soft copies (if you apply online). Let’s know about these details.

Proof of participation in the Federal Assistance Program or Income eligibility

To prove that you take part in the Federal Government Assistance Program, you have to submit the following documents as proof:

1. An approval or benefits letter for SNAP or Medicaid.
2. Screenshot of the online portal.
3. Survivors benefit summary letter.

Check that your documents have the following information:

• Your Full name, or, your Dependent’s Full name.
• The name of the program in which you or a member of your household participated.
• The name of the Government or Tribal Agency that issued the document.
• An issued date within the last 12 months or future expiration date.

If you or your dependent participated in an education-related qualifying Program:

1. A letter from the school or school district that confirms a member of the household receives free or reduced-price school lunch or school breakfast for the current year or school year immediately preceding the application.
2. For enrollment in a CEP School- School documentation demonstrating the student is enrolled in a CEP School for the relevant school year.
3. For Federal Pell Grants, written confirmation from a student’s school or the Department of Education that the student has received a Pell Grant for the current award year.

Check that your Documents have the following information:

• Your or your dependent’s first and last name.
• Name of the Qualifying Program (not required for community eligibility provision).
• Name of the school or school district.
• A current award year (For Pell Grant).
• Dated for the current school year or the school year immediately preceding the application (For School Lunch or School Breakfast Qualifying Program).
• Address and Contact information for the School, and School year for which the student is enrolled.

If you qualify through Income

If you qualify through income then you have to submit the following documents:

1. Prior year’s state, federal, or Tribal tax return.
2. Social Security Benefit Statement.

Check that your submitted documents have the following information:

• Your or your dependent’s name.
• Current Income Information.
• If you provide paystubs, then you have to pay three consecutive months of pay stubs.
• An issued date within the last 12 months or prior year tax document.

To prove Address

To prove that your Address is valid, you have to submit the following documents:

1. Map that shows your physical address or location.
2. Official documents that show your name and address; such as Driver’s License; Valid Government, State, Or Tribal ID; Utility Bill excluding wireless phone bills(within the last 30 days); w-2 or tax return; Mortgage or Lease Document.

Proof of Date of Birth

To prove your date of birth you have to submit a copy of an official, unexpired document that has: 

1. Your First and Last name.
2. Date of Birth.

Examples of such documents:

• Government, Military, State, or Tribal ID.
• Driver’s License.
• Birth Certificate.
• Certificate of US citizenship or Naturalization.
• Permanent Resident Card or Green Card.
• Government Assistance Program Document.

Proof of SSN4 or Tribal ID

If you provided the last four digits of your social security number or Full Tribal ID with your application, then you have to submit an official document that has: 

1. Your First and Last Name.
2. The last 4 digits of your social security number or your Full Tribal ID (Please mark out all but the last four digits of your SSN).

Examples Include:

• Social Security Card.
• Prior year’s tax return or w-2.
• Document on Government Assistance Program.
• Taxpayer Identification Document.
• Unemployment/worker’s Compensation Statement.

Proof of your Identity

You need to submit any of the following Documents to prove your Identity:

1. Government, Military, Stater, or Tribal ID.
2. Driver’s License.
3. Government Assistance Program Document.
4. Birth Certificate.
5. Social Security Card.
6. Prior year’s Tax Return, or w-2.

Your submitted Documents must have the following information:

• Your First and Last name.
• Date of Birth.
• The last four digits of your social security number or your full Tribal ID.

You also need to prove that you are alive

to prove that you are alive, submit a document that:

• Confirms your First and Last name.
• Shows life activity within the last three months.

Examples of such documents:

1. Government Assistance Programs Documents.
2. Current Utility Bill.
3. Current Income Statement such as a pay stub.
4. Current Mortgage or Lease Statement.
5. Current Retirement/ Pension Statement of benefits.
6. Current Unemployment statement of benefits.

With all these documents, you also need to submit a completed ACP Household Worksheet

Once you provide all the above documents with your application and your application is approved then you can enjoy all ACP Benefits with a discount of 30$ (for non-tribal Residents) and $75 (for Tribal Residents) on your monthly internet plan.

Straight Talk also gives its valued customers the opportunity to keep their own phone in the BYOP (Bring your own phone) program while taking benefits from ACP. To take this service your phone requires to be Unlocked and compatible with the Verizon network. You can also keep your phone number or port your number through Straight Talk. To activate the service with BYOP, You have to purchase a SIM card and also a phone plan. For your consideration, StraightTalk’s monthly Internet plans are given below:

Plan	Plan Details	Other plan features	Monthly Retail Cost	Cost with ACP	Cost with ACP Tribal Discount
$15 Home Phone Plan	Unlimited Nationwide calling	30 days of service	$15	Free	Free
$15 Mobile Hot Spot Plan	Hotspot: 2 GB	30 days of service. Only compatible with mobile Hotspot devices and tablets	$15	Free	Free
$15 Tablet plan	Hotspot: 2 GB	30 days of service. Only compatible with Mobile hotspot devices and tablets.	$15	Free	Free
$25 Mobile Hotspot Plan	Hotspot: 4 GB	30 days of service; Only compatible with Mobile Hotspot devices and tablets	$25	Free	Free
$25 Tablet Plan	Hotspot: 4 GB	30 days of service; only compatible with Mobile Hotspot devices and tablets.	$25	Free	Free
$30 Home Phone Plan	Unlimited International and nationwide Calling	Call up to 15 unique numbers in Mexico, Canada, China, and India, plus over 1000 landline destinations. 30 days of service.	$30	Free	Free
$30 Home Phone and WiFi	Unlimited Nationwide Calling Hotspot: 1 GB	30 days of service.Unlimited nationwide calling.	$30	Free	Free
$35 Bronze Unlimited Plan	10 GB; Hotspot Enabled up to 5 GB	Calls to nationwide and also Canada and Mexico	$35	$5	Free
plan	Plan Details	Other Plan Features	Monthly Retail Cost	Cost with ACP	Cost with ACP Tribal Discount
$40 Mobile Hot Spot Plan	Hotspot: 8 GB	60 days of service. Only compatible with Mobile Hotspot devices and tablets.	$40	$10	Free
$40 Tablet Plan	Hotspot: 8 GB	60 days of service. Only compatible with Mobile Hotspot devices and tablets.	$40	$10	Free
$45 Silver Unlimited Plan	Unlimited Data; Hotspot:5 GB	Calls to nationwide and also Canada and Mexico.	$45	$15	Free
$45 Home Phone and Wifi	Unlimited Nationwide calling; Hotspot:5GB	Unlimited Nationwide calling. 30 days of service.	$45	$15	Free
$55 Gold Unlimited Plan	Unlimited Data; Hotspot: 15 GB; Cloud storage of 100 GB	Nationwide calling and also calls to Canada and Mexico.	$55	$25	Free
$75 Hot Spot Plan	Hotspot: 20 GB	60 days of service. Only compatible with mobile Hotspot devices and Tablets.	$75	$45	Free
$75 Tablet Plan	Hotspot: 20 GB	60 days of service. Only compatible Mobile Hotspot devices and tablets.	$75	$45	Free
$90 Gold Unlimited 2 Lines	Unlimited Data; Hotspot: 15 GB; Cloud storage of 100 GB	Nationwide calling and also calls to Canada and Mexico.	$90	$60	$15

For any kind of inquiry, you can contact Straight Talk customer care service. 

Call 1-877-430-2355 or text them at 611611.
E-mail them at: “straighttalk.com”

Straight Talk is a renowned MVNO among other MVNOs and tries its best to reach internet service to each and every person in the country. Straight Talk is also proud that it can take part in Federal Communication Commission’s Affordable Connectivity Program. As an MVNO, Straight Talk is committed to working with the government hand in hand to ensure Affordable internet for all the people of the country.