Starting 12/31/2021 the ACP program replaced the EBB program. Qualification is based on income and other factors. EBB customers must submit a new application for the ACP.
The FCC discontinued the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) program, March 1, 2022, allowing EBB program enrollments until December 30, 2021, at 6 PM EST. After December 30, 2021, additional enrollments in the EBB program are not accepted.
The new program called the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) began accepting enrollments on December 31, 2021.
Through the ACP program, Red Pocket Mobile provides eligible customers with unlimited minutes, unlimited text messages, and unlimited data. The ACP program is available in the following states:
- Alabama
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- New York
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Puerto Rico
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia
- Washington
- Wisconsin
- Washington, DC
Select from one of three plans, depending on how much high-speed data you need.
Unlimited talk, text and data, with 10GB at high speed
This plan is provided at $0.00 per month, plus a $1 regulatory recovery fee (per month). High speeds (4G and 5G speeds) are throttled after the first 10GBs of data usage.
Unlimited talk, text and data, with 25GB at high speed
This plan is provided at $10.00 per month, plus a $1 regulatory recovery fee (per month). High speeds (4G and 5G speeds) are throttled after the first 25 GBs of data usage.
Unlimited talk, text and data, with 50GBs at high speed
This plan is provided at $20.00 per month, plus a $1 regulatory recovery fee (per month). High speeds (4G and 5G speeds) are throttled after the first 50GB of data usage.
Please Note: These plans will incur a $1 monthly regulatory recovery fee, to help offset the growing burden of government regulatory compliance. Please click here to learn more about the Regulatory Recovery Fee.
What is the ACP program?
Congress recently created the Affordable Connectivity Program, a long-term $14 billion program, which will replace the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program. This investment in broadband affordability will help ensure we can afford the internet connections we need for work, school, health care, and more for a long time.
Source: FCC
Who qualifies for the ACP?
A household is eligible if a member of the household meets at least one of the criteria below:
- Has an income that is at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines;
- Participates in certain assistance programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid, Federal Public Housing Assistance, SSI, WIC, or Lifeline;
- Participates in Tribal specific programs, such as Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Tribal TANF, or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations;
- Is 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; or
- Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider's existing low-income program.
Please Note: Experiencing a substantial loss of income due to job loss or furlough was a qualifier for the EBB program, however, it is not an eligible qualifier for the ACP program.
Applications for the ACP program are accepted starting December 31, 2021. Visit redpocket.com/assist to submit an application.
I qualify for the EBB program because I lost my job due to Covid, what will happen to my account?
See if you qualify for the ACP program another way. Visit redpocket.com/assist to start the application process. Unfortunately, if you do not qualify for the ACP program, your EBB program phone line will be disconnected on March 1, 2022.
Please consider switching to one of Red Pocket’s affordable calling plans. Like our unlimited talk, text, and data plan with 3GB of high-speed data, for just $20/month. Transfer your phone number and SIM ICCID easily. Visit redpocket.com/plans.
I have WIC and I did not qualify for the EBB program. Do I qualify for the ACP?
Yes. Submit an application for the ACP program by going to redpocket.com/assist.
Are you an existing Red Pocket Mobile customer? Once approved, learn how to move from your regular Red Pocket Mobile line into an EBB account.
How do I move from the EBB program to the ACP program?
Moving from the EBB program to the ACP program is easy. Within the application system, we’ll determine which EBB accounts are eligible for the ACP program. Qualifying customers will automatically be moved over to the new program, but some customers may need to take additional steps. Click here for additional information on the transition process. You will be able to keep your phone number.