If you are an American earning less than the deferral poverty guideline, be sure you can reduce your monthly cell phone bills by applying for the Lifeline program or ACP program. Both programs are offered by the Federal government to reduce the overall communication cost of all eligible Americans Lifeline is a Government funded program that offers free or discounted communication services and smartphones to low-income families. On the other hand, ACP is a Government funded program that offers discounts on broadband services and devices. Both of these programs are run by the federal communications commission. However, the programs operate separately. I mean, these programs offer district plans with different eligibility criteria.
Although different, these programs work together sometimes. This is through combining benefits from each to form lifeline ACP combo. As per our research, we found out that various service providers combine benefits from these two programs to enable eligible households to enjoy extended services from the government. Providers such as Qlink, cintex wireless, easy wireless, and so on offer lifeline-ACP combo plans to eligible customers either for free or at a discounted price. It’s prudent to mention that you must qualify for lifeline or ACP programs to enjoy lifeline & ACP combo plan. To help you know much about Lifeline ACP combo plan, we conducted this extensive research for you. Be our guest!
Difference Between Lifeline And ACP Program
As we have already mentioned, lifeline and ACP work separately. However, they are relatively similar. When it comes to similarity, both of these programs help low-income households to access connection services with ease. They are both Government funded programs that help you save more bucks when connecting with friends and family. Nevertheless, these programs differ in several ways. These include:
1. Eligibility criteria
When it comes to eligibility criteria, the above-mentioned broadband programs differ a bit. For instance, if you want to qualify for the ACP program, your income has to stand at or be below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. On the other hand, if you want to qualify for the Lifeline program, your income must stand below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
If you do not qualify via the income criteria, you can also be eligible for the programs if at all you participate in government assistance programs such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income, Federal Public Housing Assistance, among others.
In case you are a participant of the Lifeline program, you can automatically qualify for the ACP program. However, you need to opt-in for you to enjoy the ACP benefits from your carrier. Therefore, you should reach out to your Lifeline provider and ask them whether you can apply for its ACP facility or not.
2. Discounts
Besides the eligibility criteria, the above-mentioned broadband programs differ when it comes to discounts that beneficiaries are bound to get. For example, if you qualify for the Lifeline program, you will be able to enjoy monthly discounts of up to $9.25.If you reside on Tribal lands, you will get slightly higher discounts as you will now be able to enjoy discounts of up to $34.25.
On the other hand, if you qualify for the ACP facility, you will be able to enjoy discounts of up to $30 per month if at all you reside on Non-Tribal lands. However, if you live on Tribal lands, you will be able to get discounts of up to $75 on a monthly basis.
3. Other benefits
Apart from the discounts we have discussed above, you can now get other benefits such as free unlimited data, talk, and a smartphone if at all you qualify for the Lifeline program. However, the amount of mobile data and talk will differ depending on your preferred carrier and the state you live in. Thankfully, you will be able to get a free smartphone from reputable brands such as Samsung, iPhone, LG, Alcatel, among others.
If you qualify for the ACP facility, chances are that you will get a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase either a computer, laptop or tablet of your choice. On the other hand, you must contribute a minimum of $10 and not more than $50 towards the purchase of any of the above-mentioned devices. Although you will not get any of the above-mentioned devices free of charge, you will be able to get them at a discounted rate and thus save more dollars in the long run.
4. Duration of operation
As far as the duration of operation is concerned, it is imperative to note that the Lifeline program has been in existence for several years. To be specific, this program has been operating since 1984. However, it has undergone an array of changes over the years. On the other hand, its counterpart has been in operation since December 31st 2021.
However, there was a transition period from 31st December 2022 to 1st March 2022. After 1st March 2022, all EBB beneficiaries needed to re-verify so that they can continue enjoying the much-needed benefits from the newly launched ACP facility.
From the timelines stated above, it is true to say that Lifeline program is older than the ACP program. The latter is about 9 months now. Besides this, it came to replace the Emergency Broadband Benefit program, which came to an end late last year.
Ways to Get Lifeline ACP Combo Plan Together
Yes. Currently, it is possible for you to get the Lifeline ACP Combo plan together and lower your monthly cell phone bills significantly. The good news is that most carriers now offer this combo plan to all eligible customers living in the United States. Through the lifeline & ACP combination, eligible customers can get more benefits compared to benefits given from one program. It’s prudent to note that some lifeline & ACP combo plans are free while others cost a few dollars.
Next, Discuss About Eligible Criteria For Lifeline ACP Combo Plan
If you want to be a beneficiary of the Lifeline ACP combo plan, there are certain requirements that you must meet. These requirements are either related to your income or participation in a government assistance program. Here is an outline of those requirements that can make you eligible for the Lifeline ACP combo plan:
1. Ensure that you have a low income
In case your income stands at or is below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, you will be eligible for the Lifeline ACP Combo plan. Since different states have different Federal Poverty Guidelines, you can always check what those of your state stipulate and then determine if you qualify for this plan or not.
2. Be a participant in a government assistance program
Apart from having a low income as discussed above, you can also qualify for the Lifeline ACP Combo plan if at all you are a participant of a government assistance program. Here are some of the programs that can make you eligible for this plan:
- Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit
- Supplemental Security Income
- Medicaid
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
- Federal Public Housing Assistance
- You benefited from the Federal Pell Grant during the current award year
- You are a beneficiary of the Free and reduced-price school lunch program or school breakfast.
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
- Tribal TANF
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
Documents Need for Apply to Lifeline ACP Combo Plan in 2024
To prove your identity and eligibility status, there are certain documents that you must submit whenever you want to apply for the Lifeline ACP Combo plan. Ideally, you should submit copies of your personal documents and eligibility documents so that your application can see the light of day. After our successful research, we came up with a list of all the documents required to apply and get approval for lifeline $ ACP combo plan.
1. Personal documents
When it comes to personal documents, you should submit a copy of an official document that contains the following details:
- Your full legal name
- Your date of birth
- Your address or place of residence.
Some of the documents that contain these essential details include:
- U.S driver’s license
- Government-issued, state, Tribal or military ID
- Certificate of U.S citizenship or naturalization
- Permanent resident card or Green Card
2. Eligibility documents
Through income
Besides the personal documents listed above, you should submit copies of your eligibility documents in order to prove your eligibility status. When it comes to eligibility status, you can submit documents that show that you participate in a government assistance program or earn a low income. To prove the latter, you should submit a document that shows that your current income stands at or is below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Some of the documents that can help prove this include:
- Current income statement from your employer
- A copy of your paycheck stub
- A copy of your prior year’s federal, state or Tribal tax returns
- A copy of your Social Security statement of benefits
- A copy of your retirement or pension statement of benefits
- A copy of an official document that shows your current levels of income.
- Through program
Here, you should submit any valid document with proof that you receive help from the federal or tribal assistance programs. This can be your program’s approval letter, benefit verification letter, statement of benefits or benefits award letter. Note that these documents should be duplicated copies and not original documents. For instance, you can attach a copy of Medicaid program approval letter, SNAP cover letter, any other official document that shows that you received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year, a copy of an official document that shows that you are a beneficiary of a free and reduced-price school breakfast program or school lunch program.
List of Best Providers That Offer Lifeline ACP Combo Plan Together in 2024
Previously, most carriers used to offer Lifeline and ACP programs separately. However, most of them are now offering these programs as a combo so that you can get the most out of them. Some of the carriers that offer Lifeline ACP combo plan together include:
1. AirTalk Wireless
This carrier is one of the many service providers that offer Lifeline ACP Combo plan. Once you qualify for this plan, you will not have to part with anything for a whole month. Therefore, you will save more money in the long run. Besides this, you will enjoy the following offers:
- A free iPhone 7, Samsung Galaxy S8, iPhone 6 or any other similar model.
- Unlimited talk
- 15GB of high speed 4G LTE or 5G mobile data. Once you exhaust this data cap, your internet speeds will no longer remain the same. In this case, they might reduce significantly.
- Unlimited text and picture messaging
- Free shipping
- Caller ID
- 3-way calling
- Call waiting
- Voicemail services
- Unlimited calling to Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica, Columbia, Canada, Peru, Guadeloupe, Venezuela, among other states.
It is imperative to note that AirTalk’s benefits are valued at up to $750 per year. For more information, visit airtalkwireless.com/plan
2. Cintex Wireless
Apart from AirTalk Wireless, Cintex Wireless is another carrier that offers Lifeline ACP combo plan. If you qualify for this plan, you will pay $0 per month. Additionally, you will enjoy the following offers:
- A free smartphone. This model can be Samsung Galaxy S8, iPhone 6 Plus, or iPhone 7.
- Unlimited text and picture messaging
- Unlimited talk
- Caller ID
- Free shipping
- Voicemail services
- Call waiting
- 3-Way calling
- Unlimited calling to Brazil, Canada, Paraguay, Peru, Colombia, Mexico, Guadeloupe, Venezuela, among other states.
- 15GB of high-speed mobile data. Once you get 15GB of mobile data is exhausted, the internet speeds will reduce. Thankfully, you will not be charged an extra dime even after you exceed the data cap.
The benefits of this plan are valued to be $750 annually. For more details, visit cintexwireless.com/plan
3. NewPhone Wireless
If you are looking for a way to reduce your monthly cell phone bills, consider applying for the Lifeline ACP combo plan offered by NewPhone Wireless. Unlike other carriers, this one does not charge anything per month. Apart from enjoying zero charges on a monthly basis, here are other features that will mesmerize you:
- A free smartphone. Here, you might get incredible models such as Samsung Galaxy S8, iPhone 7, iPhone 6S Plus, among others.
- Unlimited talk
- 15 GB of high speed mobile data. Thankfully, you will enjoy this data across 4G and 5G networks. However, once your data is exhausted, you will experience slow internet speeds.
- Unlimited text and picture messaging
- Free shipping
- Call waiting
- Voicemail services
- Caller ID
- 3-Way calling
- Unlimited calling to Argentina, Venezuela, Columbia, Brazil, Paraguay, Guadeloupe, Mexico, Canada, among other countries.
The benefits of this plan are valued to be $750 per year. To learn more about this plan, visit newphone.com/plan
4. MyEasy wireless (Unlimited Plan)
Unlike other carriers, MyEasy Wireless offers a number of combo plans. Here, you have the luxury of choosing any of the following combo plans:
- Unlimited plan
- Plus Plan
- Base Plan
Once you qualify for the unlimited plan, you will enjoy a free monthly service alongside the following offers:
- Unlimited data
- Unlimited text
- A free smartphone
- Unlimited talk
If you qualify for the Plus Plan, you will not pay a dime for a whole month. Besides this, you will enjoy the following offers:
- 5GB of mobile data
- Unlimited text
- Unlimited talk
- A free smartphone
Finally, if you qualify for the Base plan, you will enjoy free monthly service and the following other offers:
- Free text
- $25 smartphone
- 25MB of data
- 1000 talk minutes
Other additional services that you will enjoy in any of the plans mentioned above include:
- Free 411 directory assistance
- Free 911 emergency services
- Voicemail services
- Call waiting
- Caller ID
- Text and Picture messaging
- Call forwarding
- 3-way calling
For more information, feel free to visit myeasywireless.com/lifeline-acp-plans
5. StandUp Wireless
As we speak, you can now apply for the Lifeline and ACP combo plan from this carrier and save more on your overall monthly communication costs. Here, you will be able to save about $40 once you bundle ACP and Lifeline benefits from this carrier. Besides this, you will enjoy the following offers:
- A free smartphone
- Unlimited text and talk
- A good network coverage
- 10GB of high speed data
- Unlimited additional data.
To learn more about this carrier’s Lifeline ACP combo plan, visit standupwireless.com/apply-now
6. EnTouch Wireless
Apart from the carriers that we have mentioned above, EnTouch Wireless is another eminent service provider that offers Lifeline ACP combo plan. Once you qualify for this plan, you will enjoy the following benefits:
- A great customer
- A free smartphone
- A good network coverage
- Unlimited text and talk
- Unlimited data
If you want to get started, visit this site; entouchwireless.com/about-acp
7. Assist Wireless
Unlike other carriers we have discussed above, this one offers Lifeline ACP combo plan with a number of features. However, these features are different depending on the state one resides in. For instance, if you come from Maryland, here are some offers that will impress you:
- Unlimited text
- Unlimited talk
- 12GB of mobile data
In case you come from Arkansas, some of the offers that you will enjoy include:
- 10GB of mobile data
- Unlimited text
- Unlimited talk
If you reside in Missouri, here are the offers that you are likely to enjoy:
- Unlimited talk
- 10GB of mobile data
- Unlimited text
To learn more about this plan and its respective offers, consider visiting this site assistwireless.com/lifeline-plans
8. Q-Link Wireless
After qualifying for Qlink’s Lifeline ACP combo plan, here are the benefits that you will enjoy:
- Tablet + Smartphone deal for only $29.95 + FREE Plan
- A free SIM card
- Free SIM card activation
- Unlimited text and picture messaging
- Unlimited talk
- Unlimited mobile data
- 911 Emergency service calls
- Unlimited mobile data
- Access to 10 million free Wi-Fi locations
To learn more about the offers of this carrier’s Lifeline ACP combo plan, consider visiting this site: enroll.qlinkwireless.com/signup/combo-lp#TabletplusSmartphone.
How Long Will The ACP Program Last?
First, the ACP facility was rolled in to replace the Emergency Broadband Benefit program. The EBB program came to an end late last year and the ACP got launched on 31st December 2021. It is imperative to note that ACP program will be in existence for the better part of this year. This program will be in operation until its allocated funds deplete. As we know, ACP has huge allocated funds that can push the program throughout the year 2024. As we head towards 2024, all beneficiaries of the ACP facility might be required to recertify so that you can be eligible once again. Unlike the EBB program, this one is bound to be in existence for long-term service.
