Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)
The ACP is a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program that helps connect families and households struggling to afford internet service.
The Benefit provides:
Up to a $30/month discount for internet service.
Up to $75/month discount for households on qualifying Tribal Lands.
A one-time discount of up to$100 for a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet purchased through a participating provider.
Cover letter sample . A PDF that shows what an ideal cover letter looks like
Cover Letter Tips:
- Write different cover letters for different kinds of jobs
- Tell a story to show more than what the resume can tell alone
- Describe what you can offer a prospective employer
- Describe how the customer can help the employer to succeed
- Use the customer’s own words
Resume Sample – A PDF to show you what an ideal resume should look like
Resume Template – A Word document that you can fill in to create a resume
Resume key words– A PDF that provides key words to use on resumes and in cover letters for different jobs
Resume worksheet . A Word document that can be printed and given to a customer before you start to create a resume
Resume Tips:
- Where possible, show up to 10 years of continuous employment. It is the customer’s preference whether to show more
- Include volunteer positions under Professional Experience when there are employment gaps
- Parsers (algorithms) use a hierarchy that is based on employer preferences. That’s why it’s imperative to use key words and list career highlights and qualifications/skills at the top of the resume
- Write a resume around the job description
- Write different resumes for different jobs/industries
- Show on-going education and learning (this makes the resume stronger)
- Eliminate all spelling and factual errors
Online Account and Application Record . An Excel spreadsheet to record online account information and to write progress notes
- NYS Dept of Labor account sign in, job information, job listings
- Unemployment Insurance (NYS Labor Dept) claim or certify benefits
- ID.me Unemployment verification
The SUNY EOCs are a system of educational enterprises that serve eligible adult learners.
As part of this system, the Rochester Educational Opportunity Center will deliver comprehensive, community-based academic and workforce development programs and provide support services leading to enhanced employment opportunities, access to further education, personal growth and development.
REOC provides:
- High School Equivalency
- College Prep
- English for speakers of other languages
- Occupational Trades
- Early Childhood Development training and certification
- Business & IT training and certification
- Healthcare training and certification
OACES
30 Hart Street
Rochester, NY 14605
(585) IMPROVE (585-467-7683)
https://oaces.net
Earn your high school diploma. Prepare for post-secondary education. Train for a career.
Do what you need to succeed and live the life you want.
OACES provides:
- Adult education classes
- High School Equivalency (HSE) exam preparation and testing
- Career and technical training
- English classes for speakers of other languages
- Job placement assistance
- And more!
Center for Workforce Development Adult Education
The Center for Workforce Development (CWD) at Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES provides a variety of industry-aligned educational solutions to prepare you for the 21st century workforce.
- Career and Technical education programs
- High school equivalency diploma
- English classes for speakers of other languages
- Job placement assistance
- And more!
RHCSD
2034 Lehigh Station Rd
Henrietta, NY 14467
585-359-5000
The Rush-Henrietta Adult Literacy Program offers English as a Second Language classes for adults 21 and older at the beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels. Classes are taught by a New York state-certified teacher and offered during the day and evening. Students must be eligible for employment and/or seeking higher-level education to qualify. There is a $20 non-refundable registration fee. Classes are free of charge.
Classes take place at the Good Shepherd building, 3288 East Henrietta Road, Henrietta, NY 14467. Classes are held from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 6 to 9 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays.
For more information and to schedule a registration appointment, call Pat Hantzis, program assistant, at 359-7918, or e-mail phantzis@rhnet.org.
1000 East Henrietta Road
Rochester, New York 14623
Phone: 585.292.2000
Monroecc.edu
Monroe Community College is a public community college in Monroe County, New York. It is part of the State University of New York. The college has two campuses; the main campus in the town of Brighton, and the Downtown Campus in the City of Rochester. The college also has off-site learning at the Applied Technologies Center, Monroe County Public Safety Training Facility and online
NYS Dept of Motor Vehicles – Permit or license, car registration, driving regulations
NYS Medicaid – New York’s Medicaid program provides comprehensive health coverage to millions of lower-income New Yorkers
NY State of Health Official Health Plan Market Place–Browse low-cost, quality health insurance options
NYS Social Programs – Learn about Social Programs offered for low-income individuals/households, people with disabilities, and veterans
NYS myBenefits – Create or login to your NYS benefits account to register for HEAP, SNAP, recertify your benefits, and more
NYS ACCESS (Adult Career & Continuing Education Services) – Resources to serve the education and employment needs of adults in New York State
Directory of all NYS Agencies – Locate the website, social media, and up-to-date contact for information for all NYS departments, agencies, and committees
Directory of all NYS Services – Find out how to apply for and access services such as the Empire Pass, applying for the Excelsior Scholarship, or starting an LLC
Government Benefits, Grants, and Loans – Learn about government programs that provide financial help for individuals and organizations
Medicare – Medicare is health insurance for people 65 or older. You’re first eligible to sign up for Medicare 3 months before you turn 65. You may be eligible to get Medicare earlier if you have a disability, End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), or ALS (also called Lou Gehrig’s disease).
NYS Dept. of Taxation & Finance – Tax information, file state returns
Internal Revenue Service – Tax information, account sign in, file federal returns
RGE – Gas and electric company.
Fairport Electric – Fairport gas and electric company.
Monroe County Water Authority – Authority created by New York State statute to supply clean water to residential, commercial and industrial customers
Spectrum – Television, phone, and internet service provider.
Greenlight Networks – Internet service provider
Frontier Communications – Internet, phone and TV service provider
T-Mobile – Home internet, phone service provider
All Choice Connect – Satellite communication service in Rochester, New York
Rochester Housing Authority – Apply for public housing
Tips on how to create a strong, complex password:
1) Use a combination of lower and uppercase characters, special characters (&^%) and numbers.
2) Uses passwords of at least 8 characters or more (the longer is better)
3) Create a long passphrase, a sentence or a phrase that includes a combination of upper- and lower-case letter, special characters, and punctuation (example: R@che$ter$Lilacfe$tiva!)
When making a password, avoid the following:
- Do not use your network username as your password.
- Don’t use easily guessed passwords, such as “password” or “user.”
- Do not choose passwords based upon details that may not be as confidential as you’d expect, such as your birth date, your Social Security or phone number, or names of family members or pets.
- Don’t use a consecutive string of numbers such as “1234”
Email is an old technology and it is inherently flawed. Consider following these guidelines to make yourself and your personal information more secure.
General Recommendations:
Passwords: there are two ways to create an email password: 1) use a combination of lower and uppercase characters, special characters (&^%) and numbers; or 2) create a long passphrase (It’s100%coldin Rochester)
Two email accounts: consider using one email account for family/friends, and another account for all business transactions. Why? Some companies will sell your data, and having a second account limits your exposure
Security Do’s: 1) if you suspect that your account with a business has been compromised, change your email password immediately; 2) change your password from time to time; 3) apply all software updates to your device
Security Don’ts: 1) don’t send sensitive information by email; 2) don’t store sensitive information in cloud services like Evernote and Dropbox; 3) don’t ever give out personal information in response to an email. Contact the sender using a number on the website from a trusted source, do not use the number, email, address, or any links given in the email.
Consider: using Gmail for your email account(s). It is less susceptible to spam and phishing than yahoo, Hotmail, Frontier, and AOL.
Definition: Spam is simply unsolicited email sent to a large number of recipients. For example, you book a hotel through hotels.com and suddenly you’re receiving email promotions from hotels.com
Remedy:
1) unsubscribe to company emails (at the bottom of the email you’ll find the unsubscribe function in small print)
2) when you create accounts online, look for settings that allow you to regulate the emails you receive
3) report the email as spam (you’re email provider will have an easy way to do this)
4) delete emails in your spam/junk folder. Remember first to review all emails in the folder, since some legitimate emails will end up there. When in doubt, report and delete.
Cyber Safety Tips
Internet-enabled crimes and cyber intrusions are becoming increasingly sophisticated and preventing them requires each user of a connected device to be aware and on guard.
- Keep systems and software up to date and install a strong, reputable anti-virus program.
- Be careful when connecting to a public Wi-Fi network and do not conduct any sensitive transactions, including purchases, when on a public network.
- Create a strong and unique passphrase for each online account and change those passphrases regularly.
- Set up multi-factor authentication on all accounts that allow it.
- Examine the email address in all correspondence and scrutinize website URLs before responding to a message or visiting a site
- Don’t click on anything in unsolicited emails or text messages.
- Be cautious about the information you share in online profiles and social media accounts. Sharing things like pet names, schools, and family members can give scammers the hints they need to guess your passwords or the answers to your account security questions.
- Don’t send payments to unknown people or organizations that are seeking monetary support and urge immediate action.
Cyber-Security-Quick-Reference
Current list of Cybersecurity Alerts & Advisories
*Information source FBI.gov
Phishing
Definition: The fraudulent practice of sending emails purporting to be from a reputable company in order to induce individuals to reveal personal information, such as password and credit card numbers.
Phishing emails will try to sell you something or gain access to your personal information. Sometimes, the phishing email appears to be from someone you know or from a company you’re doing business with.
Remedy:
1) always check the email address of the sender. If it is unfamiliar, then it is likely spam or phishing
2) never click on a link or attachment in a suspicious email
3) use your email provider to report phishing
4) text or call the individual or company listed as sender to verify the email is legitimate. Do not forward the email before verifying that it is legitimate
Ways to Check if a Website is Legit or Trying to Scam You
Hackers and Cybersecurity professionals put a lot of time and effort into making fraudulent websites look as legitimate as possible. Below are some ways to check if a website is legitimate or trying to scam you.
Carefully Look at the Address bar and URL
- Be sure that the site is secured by looking at the address bar (URL) to see if there is an “s” in the URL, which should look like this “https://” to start with or has a lock symbol in the address bar. This does not guarantee against a scam site, but it shows that the site owner is using secured encryption processes to transfer data and protect itself from hackers.
Check the Contact Page
- Review the options for contacting the company. If you don’t see multiple options (phone, email, live chat, or physical address) then proceed with caution.
- Note that one can fake contact details and may lead to calls being made to different call center’s which could lead to phishing scams
Review the Company’s Social Media Presence
- Most legitimate companies have some social media presence and activity. If you see the social media icons on their website, see if they link to a social media channel, and review the company reviews and see if you can find real employees of the company on LinkedIn.
- Though this would out multiple scams, it is still not a guarantee, if something looks “too good to be true, it isn’t”
Double Check The Domain Name
- Scammers will tend to create “similar” domain names to trick the user into thinking they are on a legit site, like Yah00.com or Amaz0b.net, making subtle changes that you may not even notice. Always double check the address bar to see if you have been redirected to a website that is not legitimate.
Look Up the Domain Age
- It is easy to look up the age of a website domain. Verifying the age of a site helps provide you with confidence that it has been in business for an established amount of time. Scam and fake sites usually have a short lifespan as they are rooted out early and shut down by legitimate business site owners.
Watch for Poor Grammar and Spelling
- Legitimate company websites will take great care in having a professional looking site. An excess of spelling, punctuation, and grammar errors could mean the website went up quickly. Occasional typos on a website can happen, but excessive errors could mean you are not on a legitimate site.
Walk Away If It’s Too Good to be True
- Though it is a common practice for some retailers to provide large price discounts on items to move inventory or promote a new product or service, if you find a site that offers an unbelievable deal, then think twice before continuing. If it’s too good to be true, then it probably isn’t legit.
Do Your Research
- A simple online search for the company’s reviews will tell you a lot about the business. See how recent the reviews are and if you see proactive responses from the company (where available.)
- Use the Better Business Bureau to research the reputation of a company.
ABC
400 West Ave
Rochester, NY 14611
585-325-5116
Action for a Better Community is a Community Action Agency that promotes and provides opportunities for low-income individuals and families to become self-sufficient.
ABC Programs:
- Action Front Center
- Bridges 2 Success
- Community Building in Action
- Employment Retention Investment Curriculum
- Energy Conservation Program
- Head Start & Early Head Start
- Health Career Programs
- High Impact Prevention Services for Youth
- High School Equivalency Prep
- Housing Grant Repair & Rehab Intake
- Office of New Americans
- Strategies to Success
- Strengthening Working Families Initiative
- Summer Youth Employment
- Training in Employment and Soft Skills
ABC
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the largest federal nutrition assistance program. SNAP provides benefits to eligible low-income individuals and families via an Electronic Benefits Transfer card. This card can be used like a debit card to purchase eligible food in authorized retail food stores.
Eligibility is based of your Gross monthly income — that is, household income before any of the program’s deductions are applied — generally must be at or below 130 percent of the poverty line.
Applicants must live in the state in which they apply and meet certain bank balance limits. A household with an elderly (over 60) or disabled household member may have a higher bank balance limit.
You can apply online at Mybenefits.ny.gov, Download an application and mail to/drop off at 691 St. Paul St. Rochester, NY 14605, Call 585-753-6960 to have an application mailed to you, or you can pick up an application at 691 St. Paul St. Rochester, NY 14605.
If everyone applying is over 60 years old and/or disabled, you can use this new simplified application and mail to/drop off at 691 St Paul St. Rochester, NY 14605.
When the application is submitted, you will be screened for expedited benefits and, if eligible, the benefit will be issued within five business days. You will be contacted by phone for the screening interview, if applicable, and mailed an appointment for a SNAP telephone interview. You will not need to be seen in person.
Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
HEAP 2023-2024 Regular HEAP benefit is scheduled to open on November 1st, 2023.
A federally funded program that assists low-income households in meeting the high costs of home heating. (heating supply can be natural gas, electric, oil, coal, propane, wood pellets, corn, or kerosene)
If you are eligible, you may receive one regular HEAP benefit per program year and could also be eligible for emergency HEAP benefits if you are in danger of running out of fuel or having your utility service shut off.
Eligibility and benefits are based on income, household size, the primary heating source, and the presence of a household member who is under age 6, age 60 or older or permanently disabled.
Benefits are given directly to the energy supplier not the recipient.
Your household may be eligible for a Regular benefit if:
A member of your household is a United States Citizen or qualified alien
Your household’s gross monthly income is at or below the current income guides for your household size
You receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits
You receive Temporary Assistance
You receive Code A Supplemental Security Income (SSI Living Alone)
How to apply for Regular Benefits
Online:
at myBenefits.ny.gov
By phone:
(585)753-6209 or (585)753-6477
In-person:
You may apply in person at your HEAP Local District Contact.
In writing:
Print and mail the completed HEAP application
The 2023-2024 Emergency HEAP benefit is scheduled to open on January 2nd, 2024.
- Eligibility is based on income, available resources, and the type of emergency
Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement
The 2023-2024 Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement benefit is scheduled to open October 2nd, 2023.
- If you are a homeowner and eligible, the Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement benefit can help you repair or replace your furnace, boiler and other direct heating equipment necessary to keep your home’s primary heating source working.
- Benefit amounts are based on the actual cost incurred to repair or replace your furnace, boiler, and/or other essential heating equipment, $4,000 for a repair and $8,000 for a replacement.
- You may call your HEAP Local District Contact to apply. An eligibility interview is required for all HERR applications, but may be completed with applicants in person or by telephone. Your local district contact will decide if you meet all the eligibility conditions, including the income and resource requirements. The district will provide more information on how to submit the application and required documentation.
Clean and Tune Benefit
The 2023-2024 HEAP Clean and Tune benefit is scheduled to open on October 2nd, 2023.
- Eligible households can receive energy efficiency services, which includes the cleaning of primary heating equipment, but may also include chimney cleaning, minor repairs, installation of carbon monoxide detectors or programmable thermostats, if needed, to allow for the safe, proper and efficient operation of the heating equipment. Benefit amounts are based on the actual cost incurred to provide clean and tune services, up to a maximum of $500. No additional HEAP cash benefits are available.
- Your household eligibility requirements include filing out a Clean and Tune benefit application with your local department of social services, providing all necessary documentation, and the household must reside in an eligible living situation.
Cooling Assistance Benefit
The 2023-2024 Cooling Assistance is scheduled to open April 15, 2024.
- If you are eligible, you may receive one Cooling Assistance benefit per applicant household for the purchase and installation of an air conditioner or a fan to help your home stay cool.
- In circumstances where an air conditioner cannot be safely installed, a fan will be provided.
- Only one air conditioner or fan, not to exceed $800 with installation for a window, portable air conditioner, or fan and not to exceed $1,000 for an existing wall sleeve unit, will be provided per applicant household. No additional HEAP cash benefits are available.
The Housing Choice Voucher (Formerly Section 8) Program is a federally-funded HUD program which subsidizes the rents of eligible low-income households.
Assistance is tenant-based. This means families can live in a qualifying rental unit of their choosing anywhere within the RHA jurisdiction or, if the family is eligible, they are able to “port” their voucher and move anywhere in the country.
For a unit to qualify for the program, the rent must be reasonable in comparison to other similar unassisted units in the area. The unit must also pass a Housing Quality Standards (HQS) inspection and maintain HQS standards throughout the term of the contract with RHA.
The family will typically pay 30 to 40% of their monthly income for shelter (rent plus utilities). RHA will enter a Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) Contract with the owner to pay the remaining balance.
Applicants on the Rochester Housing Authority Housing Choice Voucher Tenant-Based waitlist.
Eligibility for a housing voucher is determined by RHA and is based on the total annual gross income and family size. Eligible families cannot exceed the 50% of the median income for the Rochester area.
Eligible families must be US citizens and specified categories of non-citizens who have eligible immigration status. RHA will also examine the criminal background and prior Housing Choice Voucher history of any adult member of the household.
The Housing Choice Voucher tenant-based waiting list is currently closed and NOT accepting applications.
The Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) helps low income households pay the cost of drinking water and wastewater services.
The program can assist households who have past due bills (arrears) for drinking water and/or wastewater services.
LIHWAP can help prevent your drinking water and wastewater services from being shut off.
LIHWAP is a benefit based on the actual amount of water and/or sewer arrears, up to a maximum of $2,500 per water or sewer provider, or $5,000 if water and sewer services are combined, per applicant household. Benefits are paid directly to the household’s water and/or sewer vendor(s).
Eligibility is based on Income, Household, and amount owed.
Catholic Charities Family and Community Services provides housing, employment, and coordination of care to help people of all ages and all walks of life live independently with dignity while facing the challenges of addiction, aging, mental illness, HIV, poverty, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and immigration.
Services
Behavioral Health
Coordinated Care and Support for People of all ages
Employment and Independence
Housing and Stabilization
Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities
Refugee & Immigration Services
Support for Families & Children
RochesterWorks offers free employment and workforce development services for every job seeker – the parent, the caregiver, the student, the veteran, the upstart, the entrepreneur.
Services
5 Steps Program
Enhanced Programming
Group Programming
Individual Programming
Online training with Coursera
Recruiting Events
Selective Service Registration
Resources And Support Services
Ticket to Work
Training Grants
Job Readiness Training
Youth Career Center
Library Resource Outreach Center (LROC) is a collaboration between the Rochester Public Library and local human service agencies to offer services to the homeless, those in danger of becoming homeless, and those in need of access to the various resources listed below, without barriers.
• There are no eligibility standards for services
• No appointments necessary
• We work to eliminate or lessen barriers to other services
LROC is staffed by employees of Person Centered Housing Options, MC Collaborative, and Volunteer Legal Services as well as interns and volunteers.
LROC can connect patrons to services and resources, including:
• Housing
• Food
• Clothing
• Shelter
• Income
• Case management
• Medical care
• Legal assistance
• Employment
Central Library Hours & Contact
Tuesdays: 1pm-3pm
Wednesdays: 10am – 12pm
Thursdays: 1pm-3pm
Fridays: 1pm – 3pm
Phone: 585-428-8110
Email: libraryresourceoutreachcenter@gmail.com
LROC is located on the 3rd floor of the Bausch & Lomb Public Library Building of the Central Library of Rochester & Monroe County,
115 South Ave., Rochester, NY 14604
Move from Android to iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch -instructions from Apple on how to transfer data from an Android device to an iPhone
Move from iPhone to Android – instructions from Samsung on how to transfer data from an Android device to an iPhone
Move from Android to a Google Pixel Phone Instructions from Google on how to transfer data from an Android OS Device to a Google Pixel Phone.
Move from iPhone to a Google Pixel Phone Instructions from Google on how to transfer data from an iPhone to a Google Pixel Phone.
Android Support Page – Get manufacturer help for your Android device, searchable by brand
Samsung Support Page – a searchable page for operating all Samsung mobile devices, including set-up, basic operations, and advanced uses
Samsung User Manuals – provides links to the PDFs of all Samsung mobile device models, and provides instructions on how to access the user manual on your phone
iPhone User Guide – a searchable user guide on learning the basic of operating an iPhone
iPhone support page – a page of various weblinks for different iPhone uses including how to back up your data, managing your Apple ID, etc.
Apple’s iPhone Forum – a community forum for troubleshooting iPhone devices
iPad User Guide – a searchable user guide on learning the basic of operating an iPad
iPad Support Page – a page of various weblinks for different iPhone uses including how to back up your data, managing your Apple ID, etc.
Apple’s iPad Forum – a community forum for troubleshooting iPad devices
MacBook Pro Essentials An easy to navigate guide by Apple for all MacBook Pro devices. Use the site’s table of contents to learn how to set-up your device, what apps come with your device and what they’re for, FAQ’s, keyboard shortcuts, security features, and more!
MacBook Air Essentials An easy to navigate guide by Apple for all MacBook Pro devices. Use the site’s table of contents to learn how to set-up your device, what apps come with your device and what they’re for, FAQ’s, keyboard shortcuts, security features, and more!
Mac Tips for Users Switching from Windows Devices Learn how to perform some common tasks
on your Mac and popular keyboard shortcuts.
MacBook Manuals Type your device name into the search bar and view it’s user-guide. Did you know that you can access device manuals on every Apple device? Download Apple’s books app, type “Apple Inc.” into the search bar and you will see all of their manuals.
MacBook Forum A community forum for troubleshooting MacBook devices.
Move Android to MAC PC Instructions from Verizon on how to transfer data from an Android smartphone to a MAC PC.
New to Chromebook– Switch to a Chromebook, Set up your Chromebook, Migrate from Cloud Print, Set up your printer, Chromebook security
Chromebook shortcuts – Chromebook keyboard shortcuts
Chromebook support – Chromebook help
NorthStar Digital Literacy offers curriculum, testing, and skills certifications for Digital Literacy volunteers and customers.
The NorthStar curriculum is aligned with the Minnesota Adult Basic Education Content Standards. Lesson plans are learner-centered and interactive. The lessons give learners multiple opportunities to build digital literacy skills through practice tasks and application of skills.
Lessons are independent of each other and are not required to be taught in sequence. They can be taught in order, or teachers may choose lessons for their class based on desired instruction for specific skills or standards.
Upon completion of each lesson, learners can take a NorthStar Digital Literacy Skills Assessment, on online, interactive test that emulates the actual software or website they are likely to use. Passing these proctored assessments provides students with a certification, which can be included on resumes and job applications to supplement their learned skills.
Take a sample assessment with NorthStar Digital Literacy online
Contact us to get set up with a NorthStar Digital Literacy Account
GCFGlobal.org program has helped millions around the world learn the essential skills they need to live and work in the 21st century by offering self-paced online courses.
From Microsoft Office and email, to reading, math, and more – GCF Global.org offers more than 200 topics, including more than 2,300 lessons, more than 2,000 videos, and more than 50 interactives and games, completely free.
TypingClub is the most effective way to learn how to type.
Learn touch typing online using TypingClub’s free typing courses.
It includes 650 typing games .
Keep practicing each lesson until you get all five stars.
Typing.com
Join millions of Typing.com users and learn to type at your own pace with free gamified lessons and student-led progression.
Office 365 Essential Reference Guide
Outlook 2021 Basic Reference Guide
Word 2021 Basic Reference Guide
Word 2021 Intermediate Reference Guide
Word 2021 Advanced Reference Guide
Excel 2021 Basic Reference Guide
Excel 2021 Intermediate Reference Guide
Excel 2021 Advanced Reference Guide
The Affordable Connectivity Program is an FCC benefit program that helps ensure that households can afford the broadband they need for work, school, healthcare and more.
The benefit 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.
The Affordable Connectivity Program is limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount per household.
Who Is Eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program?
A household is eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program if the household income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or if a member of the household meets at least one of the criteria below:
- Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year;
- Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider’s existing low-income internet program;
- Participates in one of these assistance programs:
- Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program, including at U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Community Eligibility Provision schools.
- SNAP
- Medicaid
- Federal Housing Assistance, including:
- Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program (Section 8 Vouchers)
- Project-Based Rental Assistance (PBRA)/Section 202/ Section 811
- Public Housing
- Affordable Housing Programs for American Indians, Alaska Natives or Native Hawaiians
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- WIC
- Veterans Pension or Survivor Benefits
- or Lifeline;
- Participates in one of these assistance programs and lives on Qualifying Tribal lands:
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
- Tribal TANF
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
- Tribal Head Start (income based)
Lifeline provides up to a $9.25 monthly discount on service for eligible low-income subscribers and up to $34.25 per month for those on Tribal lands.
Subscribers may receive a Lifeline discount on either a wireline or a wireless service, but they may not receive a discount on both services at the same time.
Lifeline also supports broadband Internet service and broadband-voice bundles. FCC rules prohibit more than one Lifeline service per household.
Note: You may receive the lifeline benefit and the ACP benefit together if eligible.
Lifeline is available to eligible low-income consumers in every state, commonwealth, territory, and on Tribal lands.
The Lifeline program is administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC). USAC is responsible for helping consumers apply for the program, understand eligibility requirements, and keep their benefit current through an annual recertification process.
USAC’s website provides additional information regarding the program, including program requirements.
To participate in the Lifeline program, consumers must either have an income that is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or participate in certain federal assistance programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicaid, Federal Public Housing Assistance, Supplemental Security Income, the Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit, or certain Tribal Programs.
You can see if you are eligible by reviewing the information available at lifelinesupport.org (click “Do I Qualify?”).
Lifeline partners:
SafeLink Wireless
Assurance Wireless
QLink Wireless
Standup Wireless
Connect All sells refurbished laptops, Chromebooks, desktops, tablets, and monitors at low cost.
They also offer Internet Service through Mobile Citizen if you qualify.
Why Buy from Connect All:
IT HELPS OTHER: Your purchase helps Under-Served Communities Gain Access to Technology.
GOOD FOR THE ENVIROMENT: Reusing Working Computers is up to 20 times more energy efficient than recycling them.
GOOD FOR YOUR BUDGET: A refurbished computer is generally 30% less expensive than a comparable one.
This program provides:
– Desktop & Laptop Computers
– Tablets & Accessories
– Low-Cost Internet
Eligibility Requirements
Connect All serves both Non-Profit Organizations and income-eligible customers.
For nonprofits and charity organizations, please sign up for an account on ConnectAll.org and upload your organization’s EIN and 501(c)(3) determination letter to become an approved buyer.
To qualify as an income-eligible customer, please submit documentation when you create an account showing current participation in a government-based assistance program or this year’s tax return (showing proof of income under 200% of the federal poverty level or 60% of median area income).
These verification documents include
- Food support:
- SNAP/EBT card with name (required dated letter of eligibility or enrollment)
- National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program
- WIC Voucher
- Approval Letter with name from any of the above programs
- Medicaid Enrollment Statement
- Housing assistance:
- Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program award letter (LIHEAP)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance
- Section 8
- Group Residential Housing (GRH)
- Section 42
- Low-Income Housing Tax Credit or other HUD low-income program
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
- Veterans Pension or Survivor Benefits
- Lifeline
- Child enrollment in Head Start
- Federal Pell Grant
- The most recent year’s tax return showing that your annual household income did not exceed 200% federal poverty level (FPL) or 60% area median income (AMI)
- Lives in Qualifying Tribal Lands or part of these programs:
- Tribal TANF
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
- Tribal Head Start
At Human-I-T, we create equitable access to opportunity by providing devices, internet access, digital skills training, and tech support for communities left on the wrong side of the digital divide—while at the same time, empowering businesses and organizations to do good by diverting technology from landfills to protect our planet.
We believe access to technology is a right, not a privilege. It’s what allows people to study remotely, apply for jobs, attend telehealth appointments, connect with distant family, or explore new ideas and perspectives.
This program provides:
– Laptops & Tablets
– Low-Cost Internet
– Digital Training
– Tech Support
Eligibility Requirements:
Proof can be submitted electronically, through text message, or in-person
at one of our locations at the time of purchase.
Government Assistance Program Accepted Proof:
- SNAP / EBT
- Medi-Cal / Medicaid
- SSI (Supplemental Security Income)
- SSDI (Social Security Disability)
- NSLP (National School Lunch Program)
- Public Housing Assistance or Section 8 voucher
- Lifeline
- Cal Grant Financial Aid
- Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
- California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE)
- Head Start
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
If the household does not receive any government benefits, they may provide proof of their yearly gross income. Households that make 250% of the federal poverty level threshold qualify for donations. Any documentation provided to prove income level must display dollar amounts that can be used to figure Annual Income. Must include the number of members in the household on purchase application.
Accepted forms of proof of income include:
- The prior year’s state, federal, or tribal tax return
- A Social Security statement of benefits
- Federal or tribal notice letter of participation in General Assistance
- A Veteran Administration statement of benefits
- A retirement/pension statement of benefits / Social Security benefits
Please note:
- Pay stubs are not accepted
- SNAP/EBT, Medi-Cal/Medicaid cards alone are not accepted.
A letter/document that confirms the active benefit is required. - The documentation must be dated within the last 6 months and it must be an active benefit.
- Households will be required to submit eligibility every 15 months.
If you meet the above eligibility requirements, please click either of the buttons below to access low-cost computers or low-income internet plans today.
If You’re Not Eligible
Don’t worry if you don’t meet our income eligibility requirements. You can still find plenty of low-cost computers, tablets, and smartphones from brands like Apple, Dell, HP, Intel, and Lenovo at our eBay store.
Plus, all proceeds from our eBay store go directly towards our efforts to shrink the digital divide and the e-waste stream.
PCs for People is a national nonprofit social enterprise working to get low-cost quality computers and internet into the homes of individuals, families, and nonprofits with low income. By recycling and then refurbishing computers, PCs for People provides a valuable service to businesses, families, and the planet by keeping computers out of landfills and repurposing them to advance digital inclusion.
This program provides:
– Refurbished Desktop and Laptop Computers
– Low-Cost Mobile Internet
– Affordable Computer Repair
Please visit the website for more information about acceptable eligibility documentation. If you have questions about documentation that is not listed on the website, please contact one of the offices by phone or email. Any proof of eligibility is subject to approval by PCs for People staff. Additional documents may be required to unquestioningly prove income or enrollment in government assistance program. Once you have your documentation ready, there are three ways to send it in, online while placing an order, by email, or by faxing it to 651-666-1045.
Eligibility approval for online orders may take up to 2 business days. If you are eligible, you can purchase computers online, or come to one of our stores where computers are available ranging from $0 to $150.
Eligibility Requirements:
Qualifying Income-Based Assistance Programs
- Adult & Child Mental Health Case Management
- Employment Services (only if income-based in your state)
- Extended Foster Care
- Food Support (a dated letter showing current eligibility is required)
- Financial Assistance, such as GA, TANF, etc. (a dated letter showing current eligibility is required)
- Head Start
- Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
- Medicaid or Medical Assistance (bring a document that says “MA” or “Medical Assistance” on it)
- The National School Lunch Program’s Free or Reduced Lunch Program
- Section 8, Federal Public Housing Assistance, or Group Residential Housing (GRH)
- Section 42, Low Income Housing Tax Credit unit or other HUD low income program
- Social Security Disability (SSD)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Federal Pell Grant
Qualifying Income Documentation
- The prior year’s state, federal, or tribal tax return (W2 forms or pay stubs are not acceptable)
- A Social Security statement of benefits
- A Veteran Administration statement of benefits (VA cards alone are not accepted)
- A retirement/pension statement of benefits
- An Unemployment/Workmen’s Compensation statement of benefits
- Federal or tribal notice letter of participation in General Assistance
The goal of the Computers with Causes is to provide a refurbished computer gifted by generous donors towards an educational, future learning program, foster home or disabled veteran in need.
This program provides:
– Refurbished computers
We get an overwhelming amount of gifted computer requests every year. We do a strict need assessment, background, and reference check, which helps us eliminate false requests and benefit those truly in need. If you or your organization truly “are in need”, chances are we will be in contact with you. Sometimes this can be weeks, so please be patient. We have a very limited volunteer staff and strive to meet all application demands in a timely manner.
Be advised that if you are currently receiving assistance from one or more of these sources (TANF, SSI, SSDI, Welfare, Food Stamps, etc..) acceptance of tangible property, gifts, financial assistance or services (Additional income) may affect or terminate your current benefits.
Please do not call our phone lines. Our phone lines are dedicated to accepting donations.
We invite anyone in need of a working computer to complete the application below. We have a full list of the causes we support (causes) with our main emphasis being the assistance of; students, teachers, and parents, the elderly, foster homes, shelters, disabled US veterans and struggling military families, and like-minded nonprofit organizations.
We do a strict need assessment, background and reference check, which helps us eliminate false requests and benefit those truly in need. If you or your nonprofit truly “are in need” and we are able to help, we will certainly contact you. Sometimes this can be weeks, so please be patient. We have a limited volunteer staff and strive to meet all application demands in a timely manner.
Please complete the form and tell us why you are a candidate for a gifted computer. Also be advised that if you are currently receiving assistance from one or more of these sources (TANF, SSI, SSDI, Welfare, Food Stamps, etc..) acceptance of tangible property, gifts, financial assistance or services (additional income) may affect or terminate your current benefits. After the application is submitted, we will review the information provided, then review our inventory, and if we are able to assist you then you will be contacted within 30 days. All applications are valid for 30 days, so if you do not hear from us within that time frame then you can apply again.
Working to connect every student
Project 10Million is an initiative aimed at delivering Internet connectivity to millions of underserved student households. The program offers free Internet and free mobile hotspots – and access to low-cost laptops and tablets. We believe access to education is access to opportunity. That’s why we’re offering free hotspots and internet to 10 million eligible households.
Your child can qualify for Project 10Million through eligibility for the National School Lunch Program, which also can be verified through participation in many government programs, including:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) via P-EBT or EBT
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)
- Community Eligibility Provision (CEP)
- Medicaid
- Head Start
- Foster youth, migrant, homeless, or runaway youth
It only takes 5 minutes to apply and you’ll have it for 5 years. Plus, there are no annual fees or re-certifications. Check eligibility or see the list of qualifying program
Affordable devices for hybrid learning.
Once you’ve signed your family up for Project 10Million, you can purchase these affordable devices at-cost through your account or at your nearest T-Mobile store.
- Samsung Chromebook 4
- Lenovo 100e Chromebook
- Lenovo 100e Windows PC
- TCL Tab 8 LE
Maven Technologies, LLC is the first Certified Electronics Recycler™ in New York State and the eleventh in the United States. They are dedicated to providing their customers with a full range of life cycle management services for their computers, telecommunications, and electronics.
They serve both residential and commercial communities throughout New York State.
Maven Technologies has an online Ebay account were you can purchase quality PC and Apple products: Computers, Monitors, Printers, Components, Peripherals and other Electronic Products.
The Shore Foundation is now known as… Shift2
At Shift2 they are the connection point between companies that want to find a second home for their used computers, and the community members who can use that technology to support a strong future.
They highlight what technology can do when it shifts from being an internal corporate computer to being in the hands of its next owner.
They provide quality, used-business computers to organizations and charitable causes.