How to Get T-Mobile Free Internet (Complete Guide)

T-Mobile free internet is available in two ways – the company’s Project 10Million and the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). Low-income families can apply for free internet via any of the above initiatives if they qualify.

Once they get free internet from T-Mobile, individuals can stay in touch with friends and family and keep working remotely. With a reliable network like that of T-Mobile, you should have no trouble working from any location in the United States.

But how do you enroll in Project 10Million or the ACP? It is simple – after ascertaining your eligibility, you must apply for either of these programs to get free internet. This article provides details on the eligibility criteria and application procedure for both of these programs.

Key Takeaways

• You can get T-Mobile free internet through Project 10Million if you have a K-12 student in the NSLP
• Through the ACP, low-income households get a $30 (or $75 on Tribal Lands) discount, which they can use to pay for internet
• Application for the ACP subsidy is either online, by snail mail, or via the Assurance Wireless or Metro by T-Mobile website

How to Get T-Mobile Free Internet Via Project 10Million

Project 10Million is a T-Mobile initiative to provide free internet to millions of low-income households with at least one student. Through the program, users can get free internet and mobile hotspots and access to heavily-discounted tablets and laptops. Each qualifying student gets 100GB of data annually.

The program is available to both existing and new T-Mobile customers. Parents with school-going children can sign up for the program after checking their eligibility. Of course, it is necessary to prove eligibility by attaching the necessary documents. The program has stringent eligibility criteria, which all applicants must meet to qualify.

Therefore, you may qualify for T-Mobile free internet if you meet any of the following conditions:

1. Participation in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)

Project 10Million mainly targets families with children who participate in the NSLP. Therefore, if you have at least one family member participating in the NSLP, you qualify to get free internet through this program. It doesn’t matter if your child gets free or reduced-price meals. A letter showing proof of participation in this program should suffice.

2. Benefit from Other Assistance Programs

Besides your child’s participation in the NSLP, you can get free T-Mobile internet if your family benefits from other government assistance programs. The following are some of the programs that can make it possible for you to qualify for free internet from T-Mobile:

• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP via EBT or P-EBT
• Medicaid
• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
• Head Start
• Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)
• Foster, homeless, migrant, or runways youth
• Community Eligibility Provision (CEP)

3. Region-Based Eligibility

In most states, only families with the above conditions can get free T-Mobile internet via Project 10Million. In Puerto Rico, all students are eligible for Project 10Million. That’s because all students in this U.S. territory participate in the NSLP.

When applying for the project, parents must provide the student’s enrolment or report card certificate. The Department of Education provides a certificate of enrolment once a child joins the schooling system. All documents must have been produced in 2019 or later.

Benefits of Participating in Project 10Million

The primary purpose of Project 10Million is to provide free internet to students from low-income families who participate in the SNLP. It is available to new and existing T-Mobile customers. Those on Assurance, Metro by T-Mobile, and Sprint may also apply. Here are some of the benefits of participating in Project 10Million:

• Data: Qualifying households get up to 100GB of data annually. Once you reach the annual data limit, you have to wait until the next automatic renewal. Otherwise, you can purchase another internet plan from T-Mobile if you want additional data.
• Mobile Hotspot: Once approved for the Project 10Million, you’ll receive one free T-Mobile hotspot per household. You can use the hotspot to distribute the internet to other Wi-Fi-ready devices.
• Free Device: Besides free internet, households also get an affordable tablet, laptop, or another Wi-Fi-only device. With these devices, students in low-income households can complete school work, research, and get entertained.

How to Enroll in Project 10Million and Get T-Mobile Free Internet

You must enroll in Project 10Million to get T-Mobile free internet. Since this is a T-Mobile initiative, the enrolment is on the company’s website. The following is the procedure you should take to achieve that:

• Step 1: Check your eligibility for Project 10Million. You cannot take it for granted that you’ll qualify for free internet from T-Mobile. That’s why you must check that you tick all the boxes to get free internet.
• Step 2: Go to the T-Mobile website and Check Availability and Apply. You may also visit a T-Mobile store to complete the application.
• Step 3: Fill out the application form and provide proof-of-eligibility documents, which could be digital copies or photocopies. Also, provide your name, email, and shipping address.
• Step 4: Wait for T-Mobile to approve your application for free internet. If approved, you’ll get a notification via text or email.
• Step 5: T-Mobile will send you the Wi-Fi hotspot through the address you provided. You can then install it and activate your 100GB of annual data. Enjoy surfing the web.

How to Get T-Mobile Free Internet Via the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)

The FCC established the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) to provide free internet to low-income families across the United States. Thus, qualifying households can get free T-Mobile internet in their homes with the ACP discount. Each household gets a $30 (or $75 on Tribal Lands) subsidy on the monthly internet bills. Plus, there’s a one-off $100 subsidy on an internet-ready device like a tablet or laptop.

You may get free T-Mobile internet if you meet the eligibility criteria for the ACP. The qualification requirements are based either on your income or participation in a government assistance program. Here are the different ways in which you can qualify got the ACP discount:

1. Income Below Twice Poverty Guidelines

Is your annual household income twice the poverty guidelines or below? If you answered in the affirmative, you could get free T-Mobile internet. It essentially means that, based on the prevailing poverty guidelines, your income meets certain thresholds that depend on the number of family members and residence. The following table summarises ACP income thresholds for the 2022 poverty guidelines:

Number of people in the household	Alaska	Hawaii	48 States, Washington DC, and Territories
1	$33,980	$31,260	$27,180
2	$45,780	$42,120	$36,620
3	$57,580	$52,980	$46,060
4	$69,380	$63,840	$55,500
5	$81,180	$74,700	$64,940
6	$92,980	$85,560	$74,380
7	$104,780	$96,420	$83,820
8	$116,580	$107,280	$93,260
For each additional person, add	$11,800	$10,860	$9,440

To get free T-Mobile internet, a two-member family living in Alaska and Hawaii needs a maximum annual income of $45,770 and $42,120, respectively. In the rest of the country, the income threshold for a two-member family is $36,620. That means the wider income brackets make qualifying for the ACP easier in Alaska and Hawaii. There is an additional $11,800, $10,860, and $9,440 for every extra family member in Alaska, Hawaii, and the rest of the U.S., respectively.

2. Benefit from Lifeline Assistance

The Lifeline program is an FCC initiative that aims to provide free or discounted internet and phone services to low-income families. It provides a $9.25 (or $34.25 on Tribal Lands) discount covering part of the beneficiaries’ monthly internet bills.

You can automatically join the ACP if you are a Lifeline Assistance beneficiary. That’s because some of the ACP eligibility criteria are the same as that of Lifeline. You only need to show interest in the ACP to get enrolled. After enrolment, you can combine the Lifeline and ACP discounts to get better internet deals from T-Mobile.

3. Benefit from Lifeline-Eligible Programs

Even without being a Lifeline beneficiary, you can still get free T-Mobile internet if you benefit from some Lifeline-eligible programs. Here are examples of programs in which you can participate to get the ACP subsidy:

• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
• Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
• Medicaid
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit

4. Benefit from Tribal Assistance

Do you live on Tribal Lands and benefit from any available assistance programs? If so, you can quickly get free T-Mobile internet. Depending on your residence, the following are some of the Tribal programs you can use to qualify for T-Mobile internet:

• Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
• Tribally-Administered Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (Tribal-TANF)
• Tribal Head Start (only for those who meet income eligibility)
• Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)

5. Benefit from the Federal Pell Grant

If you’re an undergraduate university student that benefits from the Federal Pell Grant, you can use the resultant documents to prove your ACP eligibility. Through the program, needy university students get funded for their education. Why won’t you use it to claim the ACP subsidy?

6. Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program

One of the best ways to get T-Mobile free internet is by proving that your family benefits from WIC. That means you should provide documents showing the participation of your family members in the program.

How to Apply for T-Mobile Free Internet Via the ACP

The Universal Services Administration Company (USAC) is the body tasked by the FCC to administer the ACP. It operates the National Verifier, through which you can check your eligibility for the ACP. You may apply via the National Verifier, ACP websites, mail-in, or T-Mobile website.

Here are the steps you must take when applying for free T-Mobile internet via the ACP:

1. Online Application

Online application for T-Mobile free internet is possible on the National Verifier of ACP websites. You should be able to fill out the application form by taking the following steps:

• Step 1: Go to the National Verifier or ACP website.
• Step 2: First, verify your eligibility if you’re still on the National Verifier website. Pick your home state.
• Step 3: Click Get Started.
• Step 4: The ACP application form should open. Please fill it out, providing the required information.
• Step 5: Completing the application takes several steps. Press Next several times until you reach the end. Remember to attach relevant documents.

2. Mail-In Application

For some applicants, filling out the online application form can be challenging. Sending the application via snail mail is the best way to handle it for these individuals. If you opt to go that route, take the following steps:

• Step 1: Open the ACP website. Download and print the ACP application form.
• Step 2: Fill out the form by providing the required information.
• Step 3: Collect, photocopy, and attach documents proving address, identity, and eligibility.
• Step 4: Send your application to the address below: ACP Support Center, P.O. Box 7082, London, KY, 40742

3. Application Via T-Mobile

You may apply for the T-Mobile free internet by going directly to any company’s service websites – Assurance Wireless or Metro by T-Mobile. Here is the straightforward application procedure you may follow:

• Step 1: Verify your eligibility by going to the National Verifier website.
• Step 2: Open the Assurance Wireless or Metro by T-Mobile website and fill out the application form.
• Step 3: Attach digital copies of the required documents and submit your application.
• Step 4: Wait for T-Mobile to process your application and notify you if you qualify.

Regardless of how you hand in your application, you’ll get notified about approval via SMS or email. You may get notified either by USAC or T-Mobile. After that, you must pick a suitable internet plan for applying for the ACP subsidy. Ideally, you should get utterly free internet from T-Mobile after getting the ACP.

Document Required to Apply for T-Mobile Free Internet

When applying for the free T-Mobile internet, you must attach specific documents proving your identity, eligibility, or address. The following are the different types of documents you need to collect in readiness for completing the application:

1. Identity Documents

Identity documents are required when applying for both Project 10Million and the ACP. Providing these documents helps authenticate your application. Therefore, provide documents showing your name, date of birth, and social security number (SSN). You may attach copies of any of the following documents to prove your identity:

• Federal Assistance Program Document
• Certificate of U.S. Citizenship
• Birth Certificate
• U.S. Driver’s License
• A valid Tribal, military, state, or government ID
• Certificate of Naturalisation
• Passport
• Permanent Resident Card or Green Card

2. Address Documents

T-Mobile requires its customers to provide their residential or shipping address. Besides providing it, you must provide a document proving it. In that case, you should attach an official document with your name and address. Any of the following documents should do just fine:

• A valid Federal, state, Tribal, or military
• A current utility bill
• Driver’s License
• Tax returns (Tribal, Federal, or state) or the most recent W-2
• Lease or mortgage agreement

3. Income Documents

When applying for free T-Mobile internet, proving your income is a must. After assessing the necessary documents, USAC can decide if you meet the established income thresholds. Therefore, attach a document showing your name and annual income. Here are some of the documents you may need:

• A current paycheck stub
• A Social Security benefits statement
• The previous year’s tax returns (Federal, state, or Tribal)
• Veterans Administration benefits statement
• A retirement/pension benefits statement
• Employer income statement
• Divorce decree or child support award
• Worker’s Compensation or Unemployment benefits statement
• Any other official document with annual income

4. Federal Assistance Documents

If you or a family member benefits from a government assistance program, you must provide documents proving it. The document must bear your name and show the annual income regardless of the assistance program. Collect a document for the current year which is unlikely to expire soon. Any of the following should do the trick:

• Benefit award letter
• Approval letter
• Statement of benefits
• School documentation
• Benefit verification letter

Emancipated minors (no longer living in the custody of an adult) must provide a court order or certificate of emancipation. With that, they would be treated like adults and allowed to apply for T-Mobile free internet.

The Bottom Line

T-Mobile free internet is available in two main ways – Project 10Million and the ACP. To qualify for Project 10Million, you should have a K-12 child participating in the NSLP. Otherwise, you’ll need to prove that you participate in other federal assistance programs. Qualifying households get 100GB of data annually.

For the ACP, you need an income double the poverty guidelines. If you cannot prove that, you should participate in any assistance program. The program affords $30 (or $75 on Tribal Lands) to each qualifying household.

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