A laptop is an urgent need even if someone does not afford to buy it. Surely different people may have different realities because of loss of income, jobless, and business shutdown. In this case, they struggle to meet growing costs and don’t think of buying a laptop. In this modern and more connected world, it is impossible to go a single day without getting connected to the Internet. People need laptops for educational purposes for their kids and easy access to information. They also need a laptop and smartphone to know the government assistance program and apply online. Additionally, a laptop has also been a form of remote work as people are seen to stay at home and do office on a laptop.
So, the government of the United States of America firmly believes that everyone needs a laptop with an internet connection. To get a free laptop or computer income-eligible people may get computers and tablets with broadband Internet. There is a government program named ACP (Affordable Connectivity Program) formerly known as EBB (Emergency Broadband Benefit during pandemic). This provides assistance to such needs for the people who don’t afford to go devices with internet connection.They can get free tablet and free laptop with discounted broadband benefits to reduce the cost of internet as well. So, we are going to discuss a lot of issues on ACP, eligibility, and some places where you may get laptops free of cost or at a discounted rate as well.
Affordable Connectivity Program
ACP, which stands for Affordable Connectivity Program, formerly known as EBB (Emergency Broadband Benefit), is funded by the government with a $14.2 billion budget. This is the highest budget for the Affordable Connectivity Program to make sure everyone can have access to broadband Internet everywhere. This program benefit provides a discount of up to $30 per month for Internet service for eligible families and up to $75 per month for families on tribal land. This is the benefit of broadband connectivity assistance.
There is another assistance under this program to own a computer or tablet. Eligible families can get a one-time discount of up to $100 to make sure they can purchase a laptop, computer, or tablet from the participating providers when they can contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price. It is important to note that ACP is limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount per household.
How To Get ACP Free Laptop from Government?
Technology has made the world so connected with the help of Internet access. Surely Internet access has not been available to all people. But those who have access to the Internet and information technology are one step ahead and they have limited use of time and increased efficiency by using Internet technology. Part of this, students had to attend school at the time of the pandemic, people were seen to shop online and all classes of people took treatment via video conferencing as well.
So, people need a laptop with an internet connection to make life simple and fast forward. But all people don’t afford to buy a laptop and use the Internet. If they don’t use such an Internet connection and get in touch with information technology, they lag behind. It is important to note that progress and development are not possible by keeping a portion of people away from such a service. For this, the government of the United States of America initiated a program named EBB to make sure everyone can use the Internet everywhere. But this program has been extended to the Affordable Connectivity Program which has been funded with a huge budget.
A lot of service providers take part in such ACP programs to make sure assistance and service reach the needy people who have to be eligible under income guidelines. There is a one-time discount on buying laptops and computers. More importantly, the provider also offers Internet service plans at a discounted rate. So you may be eligible for a free laptop from the ACP program and you should reach out to those service providers by following the eligibility criteria and another application process.
Eligible Criteria for Getting ACP Free Laptop from Government
Any assistance program aims to fulfill the needy people who don’t afford to go. For this, there are eligibility criteria for ACP-free laptops from the government. So, we are going to discuss such eligibility criteria.
A household is going to be eligible under the Affordable Connectivity Program when its income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty guideline. Additionally, a member of the household may be eligible if they meet at least one of the criteria below
- Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year.
- Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider’s existing low-income Internet program.
- Participating in one of these assistance programs
- The National School Lunch Program/the School Breakfast Program
- SNAP
- MEDICAID
- Housing choice voucher
- Supplemental security income
- WIC
- Veterans pension or survivor benefits
- Lifeline
Participating in one of these assistance programs and living on qualifying tribal lands
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
- Tribal TANF
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
- Tribal Head Start income based
- Affordable Housing Programs for American Indians, Alaska Natives, or Native Hawaiians
What Documents Do I Need For Getting ACP Free Laptop from Government?
When you are going to apply for ACP free laptop from the government, you may need to provide the required documents, which may need to be uploaded in the process. These documents include
- Qualifying Assistance Program participation
- Household income
- Identity verification
- Address
- Duplicate address
- Emancipated minor
Household income is the most important thing and you may require to provide such documents to verify your income
- Prior years state, tribal, or federal tax return
- Current income statement from your employer. You may also keep a paycheck stub ready to show
- Veterans Administration statement of benefits
- A social security statement of benefits
- Unemployment or Worker’s compensation statements of benefits
- Divorce decree or a similar official document showing income
- A retirement or pension statement of benefits
It is important to note that you may require more documents to verify your ID no and these are common documents that we keep and conserve.
- A valid government state military tribal ID
- Birth Certificate
- Passport
- U. S. Driver’s license
- Certificate of U. S. Citizenship or naturalization
- Government Assistance program document
- Permanent residency card or green card
- Individual taxpayer’s identification number document
Additionally, there are more documents to ensure your address by providing the following documents so that you can be reached easily.
- Driver’s license or any other valid government state or tribal ID
- Utility bill
- Most recent W-2 or tax return
- Mortgage or lease statement
These are the document list but you may need more documents. As documents are the papers that ensure your eligibility, you need to provide such documents after knowing clearly. While providing documents, it is important to ensure that you are providing clear and authentic documents as your information may be verified. More importantly, you need to provide a copy of documents on update and original to make sure your information can be verified easily. Any falsification of information may disqualify your eligibility as well.
Organizations that provide free ACP laptop
Now we are going to discuss some organizations that provide ACP-free laptops and you may get some ideas on it but you should visit their website for more details.
PCs for People
ACP is the Federal Affordable Connectivity program and it wants online connectivity for everyone to make a sure more connected and digital world. PCs for People is a non-profit organization that provides refurbished computers to eligible customers for an affordable price. It is important to note that PCs for People has been approved for participation as an ISP n the ACP program.
For this, it provides free internet service by $10 to $30 per month to limit internet costs for eligible people. It also provides assistance for low-income people with a device such as a laptop or desktop and it comes as $100. there is an eligibility criterion and it is going to be 200% of the federal poverty level. So, you should follow the terms and conditions to get started with the registration process.
For the application process, it is important to check out that you are not receiving the benefit with another provider and you need to visit https://acp.pcsrefurbished.com/ebb to provide information for verification and validation through the federal database. after that, you should create an account with PCs for People in which you need to upload your eligibility documents, and then you can get a free laptop.
Human-I-T
Human I-T is an ACP provider to make sure low-income people can also have access to the Internet and device to be connected. Part of this organization provides free monthly Internet service for a one-time payment of $80. There is also bundle offers as an ACP hot-spot to make Internet at a reduced cost. More importantly, one can get a discounted laptop as low as $105.
So you might get started with the application process for getting connected and getting under the Affordable Connectivity Program. So, there is an application form that you need to fill up from this link and you may also call 888-391-7249. In the application form, there are different types of field to submit information about you. Surely you need to provide authentic and accurate information even the spelling of your name as well.
Broadlinc
Broadlinc is a business organization that provides high-quality residential and business video, Internet, WiFi, and digital phone products through cable, fiber, and fixed wireless networks. Surly Affordable connectivity program is designed to limit the cost of Internet and device for low income. Under this program, there is a discount of $30 per month on broadband service for eligible households and $75 per month for households on tribal land. It is important to note that Broadlinc is not participating in the equipment purchase portion of the program. More importantly, the Affordable Connectivity Program is only limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount per household.
One Degree
One Degree is a 501 (c)(3) technology-driven non-profit organization to make sure low-income families can get technological resources. These resources are important and help them achieve social and economic mobility and improve their lives. When you need internet access to make your life fast and forward in the digital world, you may get financial assistance and purchase a computer or laptop. As the Affordable Connectivity Program provides income-eligible households to pay for internet and devices like laptops or tablets and one may get a one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, tablet, or desktop. You need to check your eligibility from your internet service providing company when they participate in this program and participating companies can help you get such device as well.
EveryoneOn
Internet access should be for all to make sure people can live in a more connected world. For this, EveryoneOn has been working to democratize the power of the internet and technology. EveryoneOn firmly believes that people should get economic empowerment by using useful tools such as the internet. This organization aims to unlock opportunities by connecting families in neglected communities to affordable internet service and computers and delivering digital skills. This organization also has helped more than 1,000,000 people to the internet and provided 5000+ computers and delivered training on digital skills as well. So you may check out their current programs to get free computers and internet according to your need.
Alternative Ways To Get Free or Discounted Laptop
Surely government programs for the internet and laptop can be worth going with the availability of internet and laptop. But sometimes, the participating companies may have limitations and it may not be possible to go free laptops as well. In this case, you may seek an alternative way to get a free or discounted laptop. We have found some organizations where you may get a free or discounted laptop as well.
Computer with causes
Computer with causes is a 501c3 non-profit organization that fills up the gap in technology for the less fortunate people. When you are a low-income person and don’t afford to buy a laptop or computer, you may seek help from this organization. Surely this organization wants people and students to empower financially with the required skills of computers. This organization also works on computer donation from different segments of the people in the community and these donated computers are provided to much-needed areas such as education and vocational.
This highly empowers the community with resources through technological skills. So, low-income families, children in foster homes, and the disabled and elderly may apply for a computer as there are refurbished computers gifted by generous donors. Before applying, you need to check out the eligibility criteria by visiting their website as well.
The On It Foundation
The On It Foundation based in Florida, is one of the organizations that understand the need for a computer to make sure a better future. This is an organization that helps the future generation by expanding technological skills through the use of computers. As it has been found that all the jobs are technology-based and the skills on a computer are wroth ensuring a good paying job for the people.
These people may have low income and they may not afford to buy a computer. Luckily this organization receives donated computers and provides each low-income family with a student a free refurbished computer and at least 20 hours of computer training with ongoing support service as well.
Freecycle
Freecycle stands for getting free stuff and give away to the less fortunate people. It is a non-profit organization that works on grants and sponsorship from the communities. This organization highly puts importance on the reuse of the stuff that is unnecessary to some people. These unnecessary kinds of stuff may include refurbished laptops and computers and many other items for people’s needs. This is how freecycle works and free laptops may be available from this organization according to availability. So, you may visit and sign up for what you need like a free laptop.
Computers for Kids
Computers for Kids is a non-profit organization it provides free and refurbished computers to schools, non-profits, and students in grades K-14. The aim of these free computers gives away is to empower the children who don’t have access to computers and laptops. Surely, they may lag behind technologically due to the lack of such devices. Since its inception, more than 50,000 refurbished computers have been given away. This organization wants computers donation from the rich community and given away to the less fortunate children. So you may get a computer from this platform as well and visit the website of this organization.
Notebooks for Students
Notebooks for students is another organization based in California and they highly understand the need for a notebook for class work, online classes, gathering information for study purposes, and many other reasons. The program of this organization provides affordable and dependable and powerful laptops for all students. Additionally, the laptops are refurbished and this may come at a discounted rate or at a very lower rate. When you are a student and feel the need for a laptop, you may check out the program criteria and other guidelines to get started.
Charities
Charities may provide free desktops, laptops, and computers and these may be available at a local level. Charities are always open to low-income families who may get numerous assistance in every aspect of their life. A laptop may be even so helpful and this may make someone’s life so better with technological skills. For this, you may turn to charities and explain your need as to why you need a computer and laptop to empower your life as well.
Dell
Dell is an American Technology company that develops, sells and repairs, and supports computers related products. Dell is not just doing business but it also looks at the student community. There is a program named back to school discounts and the students may get exciting discounts to make sure they can easily have a computer for their study purposes. So, you may visit Dell for any other information on discount plans.
Lenovo
Lenovo is another way to go for the students to get discounted student items and more during Lenovo back-to-school sales. Surely the students and teachers may get such a product to make sure they can save money but have a laptop as well. There is a wide range of items and models and you may choose according to your need and get discounted laptops as well.
Microsoft
Microsoft is a giant multination technology company that has a wide range of technological products. When it comes to laptops and notebooks, you may not get free laptops and notebooks. But there are discounted laptops from Microsoft stores that are offering up to a $100 discount on the newly launched surface laptop go 2, including a few other high-end devices.
Craigslist
Craigslist is going to be another place to get cheap laptops. Craigslist is an American classified advertisement website that is devoted to jobs, housing, items wanted, and community services. This is also best known as the buy/sell and trade site on this list. When you need a laptop which is used and refurbished and you don’t mind using this type of laptop, you may contact it for buying purposes. But you need to follow precautionary steps before buying anything on craigslist and you should spend time buying anything on craigslist to make sure you are not going to be cheated as well. This way, you may get discounted laptops or cheap laptops as well.
Final Verdict
Free Laptop is a really wonderful way to go with information and having a laptop is not a luxury but it is one of the needs as well. As government understands this reality, so you need to get started in a proper way. More importantly, there is some organization that also provides free laptop and computer. One may check out their current program and availability. You need to be careful about scams that may happen to some organizations. For this, it is important to check out those organizations if they truly give away laptops and computers. You check out their reviews and organization history as well. Then providing documents should be in an effective way to make sure you don’t have to face any hassle in proceeding with further documents.