Affordable Connection Program

The Affordable Connection Program (ACP) is a federally funded program to help families and households’ access and maintain internet access through the Covid-19 pandemic and beyond. With everything happening online these days, it’s so important that internet service is accessible. Rock Island is excited to be a participating service provider.

About the ACP Discount

This is a $30 discount on Residential Fiber or LTE only. The Affordable Connection Program provides a discount of $30.00 towards broadband service for eligible households.

The Affordable Connection Program benefit is limited to one service discount and one device per household.

Who Is Eligible for the Affordable Connection Program?

A household is eligible if a member of the household meets one of the criteria below:

Has an income that is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or participates in certain assistance programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid, or Lifeline;
Approved to receive benefits under the free and reduced-price school lunch program or the school breakfast program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision, in the 2019-2020, 2020-2021, or 2021-2022 school year;
Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year;
Experienced a substantial loss of income due to job loss or furlough since February 29, 2020, and the household had a total income in 2020 at or below $99,000 for single filers and $198,000 for joint filers; or
Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider’s existing low-income or COVID-19 program.

How To Apply

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Online:

Visit https://acpbenefit.org/do-i-qualify/ to see if you qualify. Also, how to apply (https://acpbenefit.org/how-to-apply/) and to fill out the online application.
Once your application has been approved, send an email to Rock Island at [email protected] with the following information:
- Your application number
- Your signed consent form (this gives Rock Island permission to enroll you in the ACP program)
- Any questions we can answer for you.

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By Mail:

Print an application here or call 833-511-0311 to request one be mailed to you
Return your completed application to:

ACP Support Center
P.O. Box 7081
London, KY 40742

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In Person:

Libraries, schools, and family resource centers in San Juan County are ready to assist you with applying in person if necessary.

RIC Info for Qualified Persons: Internet Support

ACP FAQ’s

As of December 31, 2021, the Affordable Connectivity Program (or ACP) was put into place on a national level, formerly the EBB Program (Emergency Broadband Benefit Program), to assist qualified individuals with a credit towards their monthly internet bills. Rock Island Communications continues to participate in this federally funded program for all eligible community members.

Residential Customer Benefit
Non-School District families and individuals who are ACP qualified receive $30.00 off their monthly internet bill for any of our residential tiered services. In addition to this, Rock Island is carrying forward our efforts to keep our students connected! ACP qualified families with students in attendance at San Juan, Lopez, or Orcas Island School District will receive additional funding support for Fiber 100 (formerly Fiber 30) and LTE services as we will credit the remaining monthly fees for these programs in full while funding is available.

RIC caps our coverage at $50.00 per LTE services, and $55.00 per Fiber 100Mps services.

The ACP Discount is $30 per line of service.
RIC Payment of services is not subject to add-ons or other services, or even additional internet lines of service.
1 LOS per family, residential services only.

What is the ACP Program?

The Affordable Connection Program is a federal program that allows qualifying customers to receive a credit on their monthly internet rate.

How much is the discount?

$30.00 off your monthly Residential Fiber or LTE internet service bill.

How do I qualify?

Check here: https://acpbenefit.org/do-i-qualify/

How do I apply?

Visit https://acpbenefit.org/how-to-apply/ to determine if you are eligible.

How long will the discount last?

As this is a federal grant program, we don’t know how long the designated funds will last; we will update you as we learn more about the timeframe of this program

How Do I Get a Credit on My Monthly Statement?

Apply to the Affordable Connectivity Program: https://acpbenefit.org/how-to-apply/
Provide Rock Island Communications with your ACP qualification number.
Provide Rock Island Communications with a signed consent form. This consent allows Rock Island to upload your personal information with the FCC for reimbursement for your credited amount and is required.
Your credit will be applied on your next billing cycle.

How Does My Child Receive Internet Assistance for Online Education?

I, or my child, qualifies for assistance AND is a student in the San Juan Island, Orcas Island, or Lopez Island School District.
Provide an ACP qualification number upon approval: https://acpbenefit.org/how-to-apply/
Provide Rock Island Communications with a signed consent form. This consent allows Rock Island to upload your personal information with the FCC for reimbursement for your credited amount.
Indicate which school district you/your child attends
Upon successful transmission of information to the ACP program, the credit will appear on the next billing cycle. *Fiber 100 and LTE residential services for qualifying ACP district families will be paid in full.

What Other programs are Available to Me for Monthly Internet Assistance?

Currently, OPALCO offers an Energy Assistance Program (EAP) to help qualified community members with their monthly energy bills. Any Rock Island customer who qualifies for energy assistance also qualifies to receive a $25.00 monthly credit on their internet services. Information is available here: OPALCO EAP PROGRAM

Can I use this discount on any Rock Island rate plan?

The discount is applicable to Residential Fiber or LTE Services :

If I lose this discount, how do I keep my costs low?

OPALCO offers an Energy Assist Program (EAP). Rock Island customers who qualify for ACP get discount on their internet service bill

Examples of Coverage:

*Activation Fees are Waived for All New Fiber and LTE Lines of Service
The USAC ACP program regularly requalifies recipients to ensure they remain qualified for the discounted rate.

Fiber Services

All ACP Qualified Applicants receive a $30.00 discount off their monthly residential service.

ACP Qualified School District Students and Families receive additional support:

School District Qualified ACP Assistance for Fiber Services

Fiber 100Mbps: $85.00/ month. ACP Discount $30.00. RIC covers the remaining $55.00 means no charge for stand-alone monthly service.
Fiber 200Mbps: $100.00/month. ACP Discount $30.00. RIC covers $55.00/month, meaning there will be a $15.00 charge to the customer for this higher level of service.
Fiber 500Mbps: $130.00/month. ACP Discount $30.00. RIC covers $55.00/month, meaning $75.00 charge per month
Fiber Gig: $185.00/month. ACP Discount $30.00. RIC covers $55.00/month, meaning $130.00 charge per month
Fiber 2 Gig: $285.00/month. ACP Discount $30.00. RIC covers $55.00/month, meaning $230.00 charge per month

LTE Fixed Wireless Services