Closing the Digital Divide in DC: Funding Opportunities:

The District of Columbia State Broadband and Digital Equity Office is working to secure federal broadband funds to ensure that every resident, every business in every corner of DC can live, work, and thrive in the digital age -- without bias or barriers. To ensure our plans reflect the perspectives and needs of all populations across the District, we welcome feedback from all D.C. stakeholders on the plans and proposals being developed by our office.

Why this matters:

The BEAD program provides $42.45 billion to all 50 states and U.S. territories to fund planning, infrastructure, deployment, and adoption programs for expanding broadband connectivity throughout the next five years.

The Digital Equity Act provides $2.75 billion to establish three grant programs to promote digital opportunity – ensuring all people and communities have the skills, technology, and capacity to fully participate in the modern world.

​

Make your voice heard:

If you would like to hear more about our work or give feedback on our broadband / digital equity plans, you can engage in the following ways:

Join an upcoming stakeholder engagement session (link to calendar)

·Fill out our stakeholder survey (link here)

 

The District of Columbia State Broadband and Digital Equity Office is especially interested in hearing from unserved and underrepresented populations, including:

·Low-income individuals

·People with disabilities

·Older residents

·People with language barriers

·Incarcerated individuals

·Racial and ethnic minorities

·Veterans

A household is eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program if the household income is at or below $46,000 (at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines), or if a member of the household meets 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;

• Participates in one of these assistance programs:

  • SNAP 

  • Medicaid 

  • Federal Public Housing Assistance 

  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

  • WIC

  • Veterans Pension or Survivor Benefits

  • or Lifeline;

• Participates in one of these assistance programs and lives on Qualifying Tribal lands:

  • Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance 

  • Tribal TANF

  • Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations

  • Tribal Head Start (income based)

1. Go to ACPBenefit.org to submit an application or print out a mail-in application.
    

2. Contact your preferred participating provider to select a plan and have the discount applied to your bill.
    

Some providers may have an alternative application that they will ask you to complete. Eligible households must both apply for the program and contact a participating provider to select a service plan.

If you are a DC Resident and need assistance or have questions about the Affordable Connectivity Program please call 202-CONNECT (202-266-6328) or email techtogether@dc.gov.

​

If you need to talk to someone about your eligibility or application status, call the ACP Support Center at (877) 384-2575.