Get Help with Internet Access

Larry D. Moore

Many Veterans are turning to Telehealth to get care from the VA. But if you live in a rural area or have trouble affording an internet connection, it can be tricky using Telehealth services. For help, the new Affordable Connectivity Program may give you up to $100 to purchase a computer or tablet. It can also provide $30 per month toward your internet bill and up to $75 per month for households located on qualifying tribal lands. Some might be eligible for both.

You can use this service if you meet at least one of the criteria below:

• Income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines
• You participate in assistance programs
• You’re in tribal programs
• You receive benefits under the free and reduced-price school lunch program or school breakfast program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility
• You’ve received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year
• You meet the criteria for a participating provider’s existing low-income program

For more information on this benefit, visit the Affordable Connectivity Program website: www.fcc.gov/acp or call the support center at 877-384-2575 between 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. ET.

A second source of a potential discount on your home internet or phone service is Lifeline, which subsidizes the cost of home broadband and phone services. 

You can take part in Lifeline if you have a low household income or a member of your household takes part in one of the following federal programs:

• Federal Public Housing Assistance
• Medicaid
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Tribal programs
• VA pension
• VA Survivors Pension

Visit the Lifeline website: www.lifelinesupport.org or call 800-234-9473 between 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. ET.

AT&T, SafeLink by TracFone, T-Mobile, and Verizon help Veteran subscribers avoid data charges when using VA Video Connect on their networks. This enables Veterans to access their VA care teams through Telehealth with fewer worries about data fees. 

In Appreciation,

Executive Director