No government program for free internet and tablet, contrary to viral claim

The claim: The Affordable Connectivity Program gives eligible Americans free wireless internet and a tablet

A Dec. 11, 2023, Facebook post (direct link, archive link) includes a link to a website that it claims can save Americans money through a government program.

“Big Wireless doesn’t want you to know this hack,” reads part of the post. “You can get FREE wireless internet + a Smart Tablet. The Affordable Connectivity Program – ACP – is a new government benefit program designed to make sure everyone is online.”

It goes on to claim that Americans making less than $60,000 per year and recipients of government programs such as Medicaid and Social Security are eligible for the free benefit.

It was shared more than 4,000 times in six weeks.

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Our rating: False

The Affordable Connectivity Program offers a monthly discount on internet services for eligible households and a one-time discount for the purchase of a tablet or other electronic device. It does not cover the entire cost of either purchase. A program spokesperson said the claim “overstates” its benefits and makes incorrect statements about eligibility criteria. Both the Facebook page making the claim and the website its post directs users to are unaffiliated with the federal government.

Eligible households can receive discount on internet service, electronic device

The Facebook post “overstates the ACP benefits and misstates the eligibility criteria,” said Jaymie Gustafson, a spokesperson for the Universal Service Administrative Company, which administers the program.

Internet service for participants is discounted, not free. Eligible households can receive up to $30 per month toward internet service or $75 per month if the household is on Tribal land, according to information about the program on the Federal Communications Commission’s website.

The same is true when it comes to purchasing electronics. Eligible households can receive a one-time discount of up to $100 toward the cost of a tablet, laptop or desktop computer, but beneficiaries must contribute between $10 and $50 for the purchase.

Households are eligible for…