This article’s topic is very interesting and the provided information may prove to be very beneficial for some of our readers, especially the ones that participate in the EBT program or are planning to do so and need a free laptop. But before we dive into it, let’s review the basic concepts.
So, first of all, why do some people need a free laptop?
What are EBT and the Food Stamps Program?
Now, let’s take a closer look at what exactly is EBT and how it relates to the Food Stamps Program.
EBT is an acronym. It stands for Electronic Benefits Transfer. EBT is an electronic system through which the state welfare department can issue benefits via a magnetically encoded payment card to subscribers who are struggling to pay for groceries.
The EBT system and card are used by low-income people who participate in the Food Stamps Program, which is nowadays officially referred to as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP.
With the EBT system and card, SNAP subscribers can pay for groceries (food items exclusively) with government-funded SNAP benefits. The EBT card can only be used in authorized retail stores and whenever it is used, the user’s SNAP account gets debited in order to reimburse to shop for the items that were purchased.
The EBT system is used in all the states and it is the only method of SNAP issuance throughout the U.S.
As only SNAP participants can use the EBT system, the phrase ‘EBT program’ actually refers to the ‘SNAP program’.
The Food Stamps program or SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), on the other hand, is a government assistance program that helps low-income people purchase food. The items that SNAP participants can purchase in authorized stores with their EBT account only include food and nutrition. Any other non-food items, such as household supplies, cosmetics, medicine, supplements, or even hot meals, cannot be obtained with the SNAP benefits.
Is it Possible to Get a Free Laptop With EBT?
Now, let’s answer the main question. As SNAP or EBT only provides its subscribers with free food, it is not possible to receive a free laptop directly through the SNAP or EBT program. Nevertheless, participating in the Food Stamps program also qualifies all of its subscribers for certain other government assistance programs, such as Lifeline, for example.
Moreover, until recently, participating in the Food Stamps program also made you eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) that was launched during the pandemic to provide assistance in purchasing monthly internet services and connected devices, such as laptops. Unfortunately, the ACP program ended in early 2024 due to the exhaustion of its allocated funds. Despite efforts to secure additional funding, no definitive results were achieved, and as a result, the program officially stopped accepting new applications on February 7, 2024, with the last fully funded month being April 2024. This marked the end of a crucial support system for many low-income households.
Nevertheless, there are other non-profit organizations that offer free laptops for people in need and EBT/SNAP participants are definitely considered people in need. As such, you can receive a free laptop with EBT, however, indirectly.
The Process of Receiving a Free Laptop With EBT
The process of receiving a free laptop with EBT is quite simple but very strict. In order to get your free device, you must follow the steps listed below.
Step 1: Make Sure You Qualify for the SNAP/EBT Program and That You Can Prove It
The Food Stamps program that uses the EBT system is a means-tested program. Therefore, the applicant must meet all of the requirements listed below to qualify:
- Income requirements: A household is SNAP-eligible if it has a gross monthly income that is 130% or less of the federal poverty level.
- Work requirements: Applicants qualify if they work at least 30-80 hours a week. Students, caregivers of children under 6 and incapacitated people, disabled people, and people in drug rehabilitation must work 30 hours a week. Able-bodied adults from 18 to 49 who are not pregnant and don’t have dependents under 18 in the household are required to work, volunteer, join workfare, or do workforce training for 80 hours a month.
- Resource requirements: Households may have up to $2,250 in a bank account or other countable sources. If at least one person is age 60 or older and/or has disabilities, households may have $3,500 in countable resources. However, these requirements may vary between states.
- Housing expenditure: Housing is generally considered affordable when it costs 30% or less of total household income.
- Immigrant status eligibility: You may be SNAP-eligible if you are a legal immigrant who has lived in the U.S. for 5 years or more are receiving disability-related assistance or benefits or have children under 18.
- Student eligibility: Low-income students may also be SNAP-eligible.
To prove any of the above, you will be required to provide unexpired official documents that contain all the vital information and prove that you in fact meet the requirements above.
Step 2: Apply for the SNAP/EBT Program
To apply for SNAP, go to mass.gov/how-to/apply-for-snap-benefits-food-stamps. Scroll down and as you will see, you can apply online, by phone, by mail, by fax, or in person. Click the application method that suits you the best and follow the instructions. During the application process, you will be asked to provide your personal information and proof of your eligibility, therefore, make sure to prepare the documents in advance.
Step 3: Find a Company That Offers Free Laptops With EBT in Your Area
ACP was a government assistance program that used to offer free/discounted laptops, tablets, and other internet-connected devices. In reality, the devices were never completely free of charge, as according to the government rules, each applicant had to pay a small fee of between $10 and $50 to receive the device. Now, the ACP program no longer operates, which makes it a bit more difficult to obtain a discounted device. Moreover, Lifeline does not officially offer discounts on laptops. The best you can hope for is to receive a smartphone or potentially a discounted tablet through Lifeline.
Nonetheless, there are other companies that offer free or discounted laptops to people in need, such as EBT/SNAP participants. The best way to find them is to search online. Primarily, make sure to search for charities and non-profit organizations, as you are unlikely to get a free or discounted laptop directly from the government.
Keep in mind that you can only receive such benefits from providers that offer benefits for EBT/SNAP participants in your state of residence. Once you find such a company, visit its website to find out more.
Step 4: Check Your Eligibility and Prove It
Each charity or non-profit organization will likely have a unique set of eligibility criteria. Once you find a company that offers free laptops with EBT in your area, visit its website or contact them to find out how you can qualify.
Make sure to mention the fact that you participate in the EBT/SNAP program, which indicates that you are a member of a low-income family and are therefore in need of electronic devices, as you cannot afford to buy them yourself. In addition to your EBT/SNAP participation, there are other things that may make you qualify for a free laptop, such as:
- Participating in Medicaid, SSI, Federal Public Housing Assistance, Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit, Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Tribally-Administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Tribal Head Start, Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, etc.
- Having an annual household income at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines.
Moreover, applicants must be at least 18 years old or emancipated minors.
Keep in mind that simply saying that you qualify (based on your income or program participation) will not suffice. Instead, you will have to prove your eligibility.
You can prove your eligibility by providing your SNAP approval letter, benefit award letter, benefit verification letter, statement of benefits, or another valid official document that proves your participation in SNAP. Customers who qualify through other criteria (participation in another assistance program or low income) must prove that as well.
Step 5: Apply for the Program Offering Free Laptops With EBT
Most charities and non-profit organizations will enable you to apply online or contact them to ask about the application process. Once you locate the application form, complete it, add copies of the proof documentation (e.g. an official confirmation that you participate in EBT/SNAP), and submit the documentation. If your application gets accepted, expect to receive a free laptop in a matter of days (depending on availability, your location, etc.).
Companies That Offer Free Laptops with EBT
Not all charities or non-profit organizations offer free laptops. You must find those who do so in your area of residence and contact each of them to ask if they offer a free laptop with EBT.
You can also contact the following companies to possibly receive a free laptop:
- PCs for People. This organization offers a discount on laptops and desktop computers (refurbished) as well as a discount on internet services. To apply, visit acp.pcsrefurbished.com/acp and fill out their application form.
- Human I-T. This non-profit offers discounts on laptops, monthly services, and hotspots. To sign up, human-i-t.org/acp/ and complete the application form below.
- Computers with Causes. Enroll by visiting computerswithcauses.org/application/ and filling out the application form.
- Alliance for Technology. Visit aftrr.org and contact them to apply.
- EveryoneOn. Apply at everyoneon.org/lowcost-offers.
- The On It Foundation. Enroll by sending an email to [email protected].
- Microsoft Registered Refurbished. Start the application process at devicepartner.microsoft.com/en-us/communications/comm-microsoft-refurbisher-programs.
- Smartriverside. To apply, go to smartriverside.org/ or contact the provider at [email protected].
- Technology for the Future. Enroll by contacting the organization at [email protected] and ask if you can receive a free laptop with EBT.
- World Computer Exchange. To enroll, go to worldcomputerexchange.org/get-involved/get-computers/ and fill out the company’s online application form.
Another Way to Receive a Free Laptop
In case you don’t qualify for SNAP, you won’t be able to receive a free laptop with EBT. However, there are luckily some other ways to receive a free laptop, including:
- From a charity or non-profit organization. Many organizations, including the ones listed above, as well as Adaptive.org, With Causes, Freecycle, and others, offer free laptops for people in need.
- From a church.
- From a library.
- From a school or college.
Free Laptop EBT Related FAQs
Why Do People Need a Free Laptop?
Well, we live in a technological age in which certain electronic devices have become a basic need. We have relied heavily on cell phones, tablets, laptops, and computers for many years now. However, the pandemic has shown us that we need these devices even more than we realized. Children and students suddenly had to use laptops or other computers for education purposes (accessing virtual classrooms, writing assignments, reading studying materials, etc.). Workers relied on laptops for work and those who were unemployed needed them to search for a job. We also rely on laptops to stay in touch with loved ones, internet browsing, entertainment, and much more.
However, despite the fact that some laptops are relatively affordable these days, some households are still unable to afford them. Nonetheless, they need them just as much as the rest of us, if not even more.
As you will see below, luckily, the government is aware of this issue, and therefore, it offers certain ways that may help low-income families get a laptop free of charge.
Are ACP Laptops Really Free?
Laptops offered by ACP providers were never completely free of charge. According to government rules, ACP providers were only able to provide a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a device, however, the customer had to pay a mandatory co-pay of $10 to $50. Of course, this is currently no longer relevant, as the ACP program recently expired anyway.
Can I Get a Free Tablet With EBT?
Yes, certain companies not only offer free laptops but free tablets and desktops with EBT as well.
Can I Get a Free Phone With EBT?
Yes. Participating in SNAP/EBT also makes you Lifeline-eligible and Lifeline providers offer free phones.
What Are the Other Benefits of Participating in the Food Stamps Program?
Directly, participating in SNAP provides you with free food. Indirectly, it also makes you eligible for some other assistance programs, through which you can receive other benefits.
Can I Get Both a Free Laptop With EBT and Free Internet Services?
Yes, many companies that offer free laptops also offer free internet services.
Can I Replace My Free Laptop if Damaged or Not Working?
It depends on the provider. Some offer a 14-day warranty or a one-year manufacturer’s warranty.
Do Any Other Government Assistance Programs Offer Free Laptops With EBT?
No, the only government assistance program through which participants could hope to receive a free laptop with EBT was ACP. However, this program is no longer operating due to the depletion of funds. Luckily, as you can see above, there are also some other, non-government ways to receive a free laptop.