Skip to main content

Government Assistance Programs

Below we detail the two US government assistance programs we participate in; the Affordable Connectivity Program, and Lifeline.

GO TO: Affordable Connectivity Program    GO TO: Lifeline

Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)

ACP is an FCC program that helps connect families and households struggling to afford internet service.

The Affordable Connectivity Program provides:

  • Up to $30/month discount for broadband service;
  • Up to $75/month discount for households on qualifying Tribal lands; and

The Affordable Connectivity Program is limited to ONE monthly service discount per household.

Eligible households must both apply for the program and contact WAVE Rural Connect to select a service plan.

Check out www.fcc.gov/ACP for a Consumer FAQ and other program resources.

ACP Eligibility Requirements

Who is Eligible?

A household is eligible if a member of the household meets at least one of the criteria below:

  • Has an income that at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
  • Participates in certain assistance programs:
    • SNAP, Medicaid, Federal Public Housing Assistance, SSI, WIC, Lifeline.
  • Participates in one of several Tribal specific programs:
    • Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance.
    • Tribal Head Start (only qualifying households).
    • Tribal TANF.
    • Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations.
  • Receives benefits under the school lunch or breakfast program or USDA Community Eligibility Provision.
  • Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year.

Two-Step Enrollment

  1. Go to fcc.gov/acp to submit an application or print out a mail-in application.
  2. Contact your preferred participating provider to select a plan and have the discount applied to your bill.

Lifeline

Lifeline discounts are not available in all areas served by WAVE Rural Connect. Applicants are allowed ONE discount per household. If you have another service with a Lifeline discount applied you cannot qualify.

Lifeline is a federal program dedicated to making phone and internet services more affordable for low-income households.

Servicios Lifeline de WAVE Rural Connect: Lifeline es un beneficio federal que reduce el costo mensual de servicio telefónico o de internet.

Lifeline Details

Some low-income Members can qualify for a discounted telephone and/or internet service. Lifeline is a U.S. federal government assistance program where Members may be eligible for the following discounts:

  • Up to $5.25 per month on phone service.
  • Up to a $9.25 per month discount on Internet service.

Consumers living on Tribal lands are eligible for up to $34.25 per month on phone service.

Qualifying for Lifeline

You can qualify for Lifeline if you use any of these federal assistance programs:

  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
  • Medicaid
  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
  • Federal Public Housing Assistance
  • Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
  • Tribal programs, if you live on federally recognized Tribal lands