Food Stamps: Can You Get a Free Tablet With Your SNAP Benefits?
Written by
Vance Cariaga
Edited by
Cory Dudak
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If you’ve heard rumors about free tablets being provided by the federal government’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), don’t get your hopes up. While eligible households can receive deep discounts on tablets, there’s nothing on any official government website indicating that they’re free.
The ACP is a benefit program run by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that helps ensure households can afford the broadband they need for work, school, healthcare and more.
According to the ACP website, the program provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households, and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price.
A household is eligible for ACP if its income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or if a member of the household meets certain criteria — including participation in SNAP, the food-assistance program formerly known as food stamps. SNAP payments are now made using an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card.
Nowhere does the ACP website mention a free tablet. However, eligible households can get a tablet with a contribution of as little as $10.01 — so it’s not too far off.
Still, that stands in contrast to certain websites indicating that free tablets are available through SNAP/ACP. One of those websites is Government Free Phone, which has a blog titled, “How to Get Free Tablet With EBT.” Among the providers mentioned as offering free tablets are Q Link Wireless, Standup Wireless and Easy Wireless.
But take a quick look at their websites, and you won’t see anything about a free tablet either. The providers’ websites state that the FCC requires them to charge at least $10.01 to qualifying participants before receiving their tablets. So, you’re not likely to find a free tablet through ACP — but you can snag a good deal on one if you qualify.
To enroll in ACP, go to AffordableConnectivity.gov to submit an application or print out a mail-in application. Another option is to contact your preferred participating provider to select a plan and have the discount applied to your bill.
Outside of ACP, there are donation-based organizations that provide affordable tablets to qualifying low-income families.
Computers Without Causes gives out donated computer equipment to individuals or families in need. The organization does a need assessment, background and reference check to eliminate false requests and the application turnaround time is 30 days. The organization does warn, however, that if you receive government assistance, a free device could affect your current benefits.
There could also be state programs that help low-income residents.
For example, Florida residents with children K-12 may qualify for a free device through the On It Foundation. To apply, you must write to the foundation requesting a free computer and include information about the student and school, and the foundation does require proof from the school that the student received free or reduced-price lunch at a public school.
Vance Cariaga contributed to a previous version of this article.
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