Since we are in the digital age, being connected with your loved ones should top the list of your priorities. As far as being connected is concerned, there are many devices that can help you get started. From laptops to mobile phones, there are a plethora of devices that you can consider. One of the most preferred devices is the tablet. The good news is that a tablet is slightly bigger than a smartphone and comes with tons of incredible features. From being connected to your loved ones to working online, there are many activities that you can carry out with this device. Although this device comes with a myriad of features that can mesmerize you, it also comes at a cost. As a result, individuals from low-income families can hardly afford it on the go.
To enable such individuals to obtain a tablet, the Federal government is now offering this device free of charge through the Affordable Connectivity Program. If you are a EBT cardholder or participant of the Food Stamps Program or the current Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, be sure that you can now apply for a free tablet through the ACP program. In this article, we shall take a closer look at how one can get a free tablet with Food Stamps, alongside other related facets.
About Food Stamps or SNAP Program
As we have mentioned above, it is now possible for you to get a free tablet through the Food Stamp program. Typically, this is program is currently known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Basically, this is a program offered by the Federal government and aims at enabling low-income earners to get some money to purchase food.
Here, individuals usually receive the much-needed financial help in order to purchase the food items they please. In most cases, this financial aid is usually deposited into the EBT accounts of all eligible individuals. With an EBT card in place, all beneficiaries can now pay for different foodstuffs either at convenience stores, supermarkets, food retailers, farmers’ markets, and so forth.
Is It Really Government Gives Free Tablets with Food Stamps in 2023
Yes. As we speak, the Federal government is now giving nearly free tablets to all eligible households through the ACP program. However, these tablets are not free per se. This is because you have to pay at least $10 for you to get a tablet. The maximum amount that you can contribute towards this tablet is $50. On the other hand, the Federal government will offer a one-time discount of $100 towards the purchase of the tablet.
However, for you to get this tablet, there are some eligibility requirements that you must meet. For instance, your income has to stand at or be below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Besides this, you must have children who are not yet adults.
This means that they are either dependent on you or are in school. If you meet these eligibility requirements, you can now go ahead and apply for a free tablet through your preferred service provider.
Eligible Criteria for Enrolled Food Stamps or SNAP Program
By now, you may be wondering how one can be eligible for the SNAP program. After all, with this program, you will not only get a free tablet but also financial aid that will enable you to purchase food items for your loved ones at home. Just like other federal aid programs, not everyone is eligible for this program. For you to be eligible for this program, you must ensure that you meet the following requirements;
1. Income requirements
Although we had stated that low-income earners are eligible for this tablet, there is a certain threshold that one has to meet. To put this into perspective, you have to ensure that your income stands at or is below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines of your state. Since these guidelines differ from one state to another, there is a need for you to check with your state and then confirm whether you meet the minimum threshold or not.
2. Resources requirements
Besides the above-mentioned income requirement, if your household has up to $2250 in a certain bank account, you will be eligible to join the program. If anyone in your family is above the age of 60 and above or has some form of disability, chances are that the household has $3500 in terms of countable resources. This too can make that household eligible for the program. However, it is important to note that resource requirements usually differ from one country to another.
3. Work requirements
If you normally work at least 30 to 80 hours on a weekly basis, be sure that you will be eligible for the SNAP program. To put this into perspective, caregivers of children who are below the age of 6 years and incapacitated people, students, individuals in the drug rehabilitation, and the disabled should work for about 30 hours a week.
However, those who are able-bodied from the age of 18 to 49 and are not pregnant and do not have any dependents who is below the age of 18 should work for 80 hours in a month. Better still, individuals in the second category can volunteer or join a workforce training for about 80 hours in a month.
4. Housing expenditure
To start with housing expenditures vary from one household to another. However, if your housing expenditure is 30% of your entire household income, you are eligible for this program.
5. Student eligibility
If you are a student who comes from a low-income family, be sure that you will be eligible for the SNAP program.
6. Immigrant status eligibility
In case you are a legal immigrant who has lived in America for 5 years or more, trust that you will be eligible for the SNAP program. Better still, if you have been receiving any disability-related benefit or aid, or have children below the age of 18 years, be sure that you will be eligible for this program.
Documents Required to get Free Tablet with Food Stamps
When applying for a free tablet with Food stamps, there are a series of documents that you must provide. With these documents in place, you will be able to authenticate your identity and also show that you truly deserve to get a free tablet from your preferred service provider. Some of the documents that you should provide include:
- Your official name
- Your proof of residence
- A photo ID proof
- Proof of student information or income
- If you are employed, you should present a copy of your payslip
- Your contact details.
Apart from the above-mentioned documents, you should not hesitate to present proof of eligibility in case you are a beneficiary of the SNAP program. For instance, if you qualify as a result of having a low income or meeting the minimum housing requirements, you should submit copies of the same so as to ascertain that you are eligible and is a beneficiary of the Food Stamp program.
Besides this, if you are a participant of a government-aided program such as Medicaid, SSI, Federal Public Housing Assistance, be sure that you can present documents showing the eligibility of these programs and be able to secure a free tablet. For optimal results, you should accompany your personal details alongside the eligibility documents so that you can maximize your chances of getting a free tablet with Food Stamps.
Applying Guideline for Getting Free Tablet with Food Stamps
When applying for a free tablet with Food Stamps, there are a series of steps that you should follow. Fortunately, this process is easy and straightforward. Here are the steps that you should follow so that you can get started:
1. Determine your eligibility for the Lifeline or Eligibility Broadband Benefit program
If you want to get a free tablet with Food stamps, it is important to note that you can only get it through the Affordable Connectivity Program. Previously known as the Emergency Broadband Program, this program was initiated by the Federal government in response to COVID-19. Here, beneficiaries would get free devices and affordable cell phone plans. To determine your eligibility for the ACP program, you can visit “https://www.checklifeline.org/lifeline/?id=nv_flow&ebbp=true”. Here, you will fill out a form and then your eligibility will be verified before you proceed to the next step.
2. Choose the service provider of your choice
Once your eligibility has been verified, time is ripe for you to choose your preferred service provider. The good news is that there are several service providers that offer free tablets through either of the above-mentioned programs. For instance, T-Mobile and Qlink Wireless are some of the reputable carriers that offer a tablet through the above-mentioned programs.
3. Apply for the tablet
After choosing your preferred carrier, you can now apply for a free tablet. Here, you will be asked to submit a number of personal documents such as your name, proof of address, contact details, proof of income, and so forth.
For optimal results, you should ensure that you have gathered all these details in good time so as to avoid future inconveniences. Besides the personal documents, you should submit soft copies of the eligibility documents.
From the documents showing that you are a low-income earner to documents showing that you are a beneficiary of a government aid program such as Food Stamps, there are many documents that you should have at hand. Upload all these documents and then submit them as required by your service provider.
4. Wait for your application to be approved
Once you have submitted your application form, you should wait for your service provider’s team to approve it. If you meet all the requirements of your service provider, be sure that your application will see the light of day.
However, if there are some personal documents or eligibility documents missing, your application may not be approved. Here, you may be needed to reapply or consider other options. In both scenarios, you will be notified so that you can take appropriate action.
5. Receive your tablet
If your application was approved, you will be able to receive your tablet after a few days. Typically, you can receive it after 5 days or thereabout. Remember that the tablet will be shipped using the address that you included in the application form. Once you receive the tablet, you can now activate it and then start using it the way you please.
Providers that Offer Free Tablets with Food Stamps
Some of the providers who offer free tablets with Food Stamps include:
T-Mobile
This is one of the most popular and reliable carriers in the US. Although this carrier has been offering 4G LTE network to its customers, it is now purposing to offer 5G fast internet. As we speak, several areas of the US are not enjoying its 5G and 5G ultra network.
Besides offering a fast and reliable network, this carrier is a participant in the ACP program. This means that you can now apply for a free tablet from this carrier and get one with ease. As long as you meet its EBB eligibility terms, you will be able to get a discounted tablet from it.
Qlink Wireless
The above-mentioned carrier is one of the main cell phone service providers in the US. It is important to note that this carrier is a Mobile Virtual Network Operator on the T-Mobile network.
As we speak, this mobile company is available in over 30 states. Since it is the nation’s largest service provider of Lifeline service, over 2 million Americans benefit from the services offered by this carrier. Here, they are able to enjoy its 5G network, 4G LTE network among other services.
Just recently, Qlink Wireless started participating in the ACP program. With this program in place, all eligible individuals can get nearly free tablets. If you are an eligible individual or household, you just need to part with as little as $10 and you will be able to get a good tablet.
Once you confirm your order, this carrier will start the delivery process. Depending on the stock present, the order might take about 6 to 8 weeks to get processed. Once you place your order, you should ensure that you pay the $10 within a period of 30 days.
Other Ways to get Free Tablets for Low-income Families
Besides the Food Stamps, Lifeline, and EBB program, you can now get a free tablet through other ways. To put this into perspective, there are other non-profit organizations and charities that offer free government tablets to individuals who come from low-income families. Some of these organizations include:
1. CTAC (Computer Technology Assistance Corporation)
This is one of the leading non-profit organizations that offer tables to low-income households. Based on your income, be sure that you will get a free government tablet from this organization.
In addition, this organization offers grants from other organizations such as Salvation Army, Goodwill, and SmartRiverside. Typically, this organization works hand-in-hand with the Federal government and other technology-based businesses such as Microsoft so as to avert the digital divide in the US.
2. The Salvation Army
Besides CTAC, The Salvation Army is another non-profit organization that offers basic services to the general public as way of giving back to society. Here, they usually offer free devices such as laptops, tablets, desktops to all eligible individuals.
To discover how you can obtain a free tablet from this organization, you can visit https://salvationarmy.org/ and learn more. Here, you will be required to show proof of income and once it is reviewed, you can now go ahead and complete the application form and be able to get a tablet on the go.
3. Computer with Causes
Typically, this is a federal company that offers refurbished tablets to all eligible applicants. If you do not necessarily need a brand new tablet, you can contact them online and then apply for one. Unlike other companies, this one usually recycles various electronic devices and then offers them to all eligible applicants. Therefore, you will get a refurbished tablet that works as good as a new model.
4. Computer For learning
Just like Computer with Causes, this is a company that offers refurbished tablets, laptops and computers to universities, schools and colleges so that learners from low-income families.
Consequently, these learners will be able to get a device that can help them learn and do their research while schooling. If you want to get their assistance, consider contacting them either through email or by phone.
5. The On It Foundation
If you are a resident of Florida, you can now go ahead and apply for a free tablet from this foundation. All you need do is to visit “https://theonitfoundation.org/faqs/” and then fill an application form. Once you apply, your application form will be reviewed by the team of experts on the other end. If you qualify to get a tablet, be sure it will be shipped to you within a few days.
6. World Computer Exchange
To start with, this is a program that collaborates with non-profit organizations and the government in order to offer free internet as well as tablets and computers to students and children from low-income families. To obtain a free tablet from this program, you can contact them online or liaise with their stakeholders and partners.
7. SmartRiverside
This is another program that offers free tablets to all eligible individuals from low-income households. To obtain a free tablet from this program, you just need to visit its site online and then fill out an application form.
If you meet the necessary requirements, you will be able to get a free tablet. As far as eligibility is concerned, it varies from one state to another. Therefore, you can check the eligibility requirements of your state and then make an application online.
8. EveryoneOn
This is another national non-profit organization that works around the clock to ensure that they eliminate the digital divide among Americans. To achieve this objective, this organization normally partners with content creators, libraries, technology industries, and other organizations to offer free tablets among other devices to all Americans.
If you want to benefit from EveryoneOn, your family’s income should not surpass $35000.Here, you can get a refurbished tablet and use it to work online, learn online, communicate with your friends, and so forth.
Frequently Ask Questions
Can I get free internet if I get food stamps?
Well, the internet offered here is not free per se. However, the cost involved here is relatively low compared to when you purchase a data plan from a service provider out there. This means that you will get internet at a subsidized price and thus save more on your budget.
Some of the carriers offering discounted internet with Food Stamps include Charter Communications, Inc., T-Mobile, AT&T, Mediacom Connect2Compete, Altice, Eagle Communications, and so forth. For optimal results, you should contact your local service provider for more details.
Does Qlink offer free tablets?
Yes. As we speak, Q-Link now offers near free tablets to all eligible individuals in the US through its ACP program. Whether you earn a low-income or are a participant of the government assistance program such as Medicaid, SNAP, SSI or Federal Public Housing Assistance, be sure that you will get a free tablet from this carrier. If you want to apply for one, you have to part with a minimum of $10 and a maximum of $50, and the government will offer a one-discount of $100 towards the purchase of your desired tablet.
What type of Tablet can I get from food stamps?
To start with, there are different models offered by different carriers who offer free tablets with Food Stamps. Although there are a plethora of models available, you may not essentially get the tablet that you want. Instead, you will get the tablet that is available at the moment. The good news is that all these tablets are either refurbished, new, or used. Unlike other models, they come with incredible features that make them worth considering. Some of the tablets you can get from Food Stamps include:
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S7
- Apple 12.9 inch iPad pro 2021-Space Gray
- Lenovo Tab M10 Plus
- LG G PAD 5-4GB LTE Unlocked Tablet
- New Microsoft Surface Go 2 Platinum
- Samsung Galaxy Tab Active 2 8” Ruggedized Tablet, Black
- Fire HD 10 Tablet
Final Words
From allowing you to connect with those whom you love to enable you to work online, there are many benefits of having a tablet. Since this device comes at a cost, you can get it affordably by applying for it through the ACP program. As long as you are eligible for the Food Stamps program, you will be able to get this device on the go. Consequently, you will be able to keep your communication cost at the bare minimum during this difficult pandemic period and beyond.