Mayor Purzycki Encourages City Residents to Sign Up for Affordable High-Speed Home Internet
April 17, 2023
Mayor Mike Purzycki encourages eligible City residents and families to sign up for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) [getacp.org], a long-term federal program to help lower-income families pay just $30 for monthly high-speed internet service. The City of Wilmington, in partnership with Governor John Carney and with mobilization assistance from the Wilmington Community Advisory Council [wilmcommunityadvisorycouncil.org] (WCAC), has begun promoting a new effort to close the “Digital Divide” in Delaware [broadband.delaware.gov] in the City as part of a statewide initiative announced March 20 by Governor Carney and municipal leaders across the state. The ACP also offers a one-time $100 discount toward a connected laptop, desktop computer, or tablet through a participating service provider.
The schedule for the remaining sign-up sessions in April is:
* Where: Southbridge Neighborhood House, 1218 B Street
* When: Tuesday, April 18, 5:30 p.m. (Civic Association Meeting)
* Where: Jefferson Street Center, 1801 North Jefferson Street
* When: Thursday, April 20, 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. (Food Pantry)
* Where: SUN Park, East 22nd Street, and Lamotte Street
* When: Thursday, April 20, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. (Food/Clothing Distribution)
* Where: My Sister’s Keeper Community Center, 1009 Sycamore Street
* When: Tuesday, April 25, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. (ACP Workshop)
* Where: Wilmington P.A.L., 3707 North Market Street
* When: Thursday, April 27, 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. (Resource Fair)
* Where: Central Baptist Church, 839 North Pine Street
* When: Friday, April 28, 6 – 7:30 p.m. (Chat & Chew)
A household is eligible if one member 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 [fcc.gov];
•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;
•Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year;
•Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating broadband provider’s existing low-income program; or
•Participates in one of several Tribal specific programs, such as Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Tribal Head Start (only households meeting the relevant income qualifying standard), Tribal TANF, or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations.
“High-speed internet is absolutely essential in today’s world,” said Mayor Purzycki. “It allows people to work remotely, send their children to school, and access healthcare, job training, and critical government services. We are committed to closing the affordability gap in Wilmington – which is concentrated in our underserved communities and disproportionately impacts people of color – so that every resident has equal access to the opportunities of the digital age.”
Prior to attending a sign-up session, City residents and families are urged to visit GetACP.org/Delaware [getacp.org], EducationSuperHighway’s pre-enrollment tool to see if they qualify, what documents they will need at the time of application, and to see a list of “free with ACP” home internet plans.