South Slope Cooperative Communications: ACP Program

If you live in Iowa, there's a chance that South Slope offers internet services at your location. South Slope Cooperative For a small local internet company, South Slope does much to help its community. As such, they participate in the Federal Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity programs. These Federal programs were created to help close the digital divide between the haves and the have-nots.

Lifeline and ACP Discounts

The Lifeline program offers a $5.25 discount for voice and $9.25 for broadband or bundled services. The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), on the other hand, offers a one-time discount of up to $100 towards purchasing a device (laptop, desktop, or tablet). Subject to a co-pay of more than $10 but less than $50. In addition to the one-time discount, the ACP provides monthly discounts of up to $30 per month to apply toward internet services.

South Slope Internet Plans

Currently servicing the following areas of Amana, Ely, Fairfax, Newhall, North Liberty, Norway, Oxford, Solon, Shueyville, Swisher, Tiffin, Watkins, Walford, West and South Cedar Rapids and parts of Coralville. If you live in the South Slope service area, below is a listing of internet plans and pricing (as of June 2023).

50Mbps

Number of Devices: Up to 5
Unlimited Data
Cost: $55 per month

250Mbps

Number of Devices: 5-10
Unlimited Data
Cost: $75 per month

500Mbps

Number of Devices: 10-20
Unlimited Data
Cost: $105 per month

1Gig

Number of Devices: 20
Unlimited Data
Cost: $145 per month

The above plans have the same upload and download speed and operate through a fiber network.

Adding wi-fi costs an additional $9.95 per month.

If you are enrolled in Lifeline, ACP, or both, the cost of the above plans is reduced by the benefit amount.

Qualifying for ACP or Lifeline

You must enroll in either ACP, Lifeline or both to take advantage of the discounts. Since the programs were created to help low-income families, you must meet one of the following eligibility criteria to qualify for benefits:

Have a household income of 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines to qualify for Lifeline. Or a household income of 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines to qualify for ACP (If you are eligible for Lifeline, you automatically qualify for ACP), or

Have received a Pell Grant in the current year, or

Participate in one of the following government assistance programs:

Medicaid
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Food Stamps or SNAP)
Supplemental Security Income
WIC
Federal Public Housing Assistance
Veterans and Survivors' Pension Benefit

Enrolling in the Lifeline/ACP Benefit Programs

After satisfying the eligibility criteria, the next step is to apply for benefits. You may apply at theLifeline.org site. Having an application approved for Lifeline means you will also be approved for ACP.

Please have the necessary documents handy to make the application process easier. Necessary documents include having a government-issued ID and proof of meeting the eligibility criteria. You can find a listing of acceptable forms of proof on the Affordable Connectivity website.

The approval process usually takes about 30 to 40 minutes. However, delays do occur depending on application volume and having the proper documentation. Occasionally, the documents must be re-verified, which will also slow things down.

Applying to South Slope for Service

Once your Lifeline/ACP application is approved and you receive the email confirmation, the next step is to notify South Slope. According to their website, South Slope asks that you send a copy of the email confirmation along with your name, address, and phone number to lifeline@southslope.com. If you have any questions, you can call them at 319-626-2211

One of the benefits of signing up with South Slope is they are customer oriented. ThTheyave people answering the phones instead of using an automated service. Calling a business and actually having a human being to talk to is becoming rare. It's good to know that South Slope still values human interaction.

A few things to Know about Lifeline/ACP

You must provide annual proof that you still qualify for benefits. As such, you must complete the recertification process.

Only one ACP/Lifeline benefit is allowed per household.

If you select a plan with a monthly charge in excess of the ACP/Lifeline benefits, you are responsible for paying the portion the benefits do not cover.

If you are hearing impaired and have been diagnosed by a professional, you may qualify for the free government program ClearCaptions.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: This site was created to help people find information about free government phones. The ower of this site does not mail, activate or repair free government phones nor provide phone service. If you have questions about phone service it is suggested that you contact the phone service provider directly.

Last Modified: 23 June 2023