The Big Apple is also referred to as the Capital of the World, the City of Dreams, and the City That Never Sleeps. Now, is it also a city of free electronics where all inhabitants, rich and poor, can get a free tablet and thus apply for jobs online, work, educate themselves, and more? Let’s find out. In the next paragraphs, you will find out all there is to know about getting a free tablet in NYC.
Are Free Tablets in NYC Necessary and Why?
According to certain studies and estimations, New York City is the wealthiest city in the world. It is home to numerous millionaires and billionaires who can afford the most expensive apartments, cars, electronics, and more. However, New York doesn’t only have rich inhabitants. On the contrary, in 2021, almost 2.7 million New Yorkers lived in poverty, which is 13.9 percent of the population (compared to 12.8 percent of all Americans). These people cannot afford to buy a new tablet.
Now, you may believe that getting food, shelter, and medical care is more important than a tablet. And in a way, of course, you’d be right. However, in a sense, having an internet-connected device, such as a tablet, along with a reliable internet connection, is one of the most important things you can have, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, when life and work have become more digitalized.
Why? For several reasons. One important reason is to bridge the digital divide, which refers to the gap between people who have access to technology and those who do not. In today’s world, access to technology and the internet is crucial for many things, including education, job opportunities, healthcare, and communication. As not everyone can afford the devices or the cost of internet access, which can put them at a disadvantage. Providing free tablets in NYC helps promote equity and access to technology, which can have a significant impact on the lives of many residents.
Is it Possible to Get a Free Tablet in NYC and How?
Yes, it is possible to get a free tablet in NYC through certain programs and initiatives. For example:
- The New York City Department of Education (DOE) has provided free tablets to students to support remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. The DOE distributed over 500,000 internet-enabled iPads to students in need throughout the city, with priority given to students in temporary housing, shelters, and foster care, as well as students with disabilities and multilingual learners.
- The Department for the Aging is helping senior citizens stay connected by providing them free Wi-Fi-equipped tablets to those who don’t have such a device and reside within a Taskforce on Racial Inclusion and Equity (TRIE) neighborhood. Until now, DFTA’s network or providers have distributed over 9000 tablets and have yet to distribute at least 1000 of them.
- Additionally, some nonprofit organizations and community groups may provide free tablets to eligible individuals or families. For instance, the Queens Public Library has loaned out free iPads to adult learners who are taking online classes and who do not have access to a device at home. Other non-profits that offer free tablets in NYC and in other areas of the U.S. include The Salvation Army, Accelerated Schools Program, Adaptive.org, EveryoneOn, Causes, Computer Technology Assistance Corps (CTAC), Komputers 4 Kids, Microsoft Registered Refurbished, On It Foundation, and Smartriverside. Low-income people can also check with local charities, schools, churches, and libraries.
- You may also be able to get a free tablet through a wireless tech company or retailer. While other methods of getting a free tablet in NYC are reserved for low-income people only, everyone, regardless of their income, may be able to get a free device through a company’s promotional offer. However, keep in mind that promotional deals often come with some conditions. For instance, you may be able to get a free tablet if you switch to a carrier, get a new line, purchase a pricey monthly service plan, or even purchase another device at full price. Companies that may sometimes offer limited-time promotional deals on tablets include carriers, Best Buy, Walmart, Target, and tablet manufacturers.
- Furthermore, the new Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which is a federal program that provides discounted or free internet services to eligible low-income households, may also include highly discounted tablets. This program was first launched during the pandemic when the need for electronic devices and services has become that much more obvious. Eligibility requirements and program details can vary, so interested individuals should check with their service provider or program administrator to see if free tablets are available.
Overall, while not everyone may be eligible for free tablets in NYC, there are programs and initiatives in place that can help eligible individuals and families access the devices they need to participate in virtual learning, stay connected, and access important resources. While the initiatives from the New York City Department of Education and the Department for the Aging are only temporary and the tablets provided by non-profit organizations and retailers depend on availability, the safest and most reliable way to get a free tablet (along with free monthly internet services) is through the new ACP program. In the following chapters, we’ll learn just how to do so.
How Can You Get a Free Tablet in NYC Through ACP
To receive a free tablet in NYC through the Affordable Connectivity Program, you must follow these simple steps:
- Make sure that you qualify for the program. See the eligibility criteria in the next section.
- Make sure you can prove your eligibility by providing valid documents.
- Apply for ACP.
- Find a company that offers free tablets in NYC through ACP and apply for its services.
- If your application gets approved, enjoy your free tablet and monthly services.
Let’s break down these steps in the following sections.
Who Can Get a Free Tablet in NYC Through ACP
To get a free tablet in NYC through ACP, you must:
- Be a resident of New York state.
- Be at least 18 years old or an emancipated minor.
- Be the only applicant in your household (exceptions apply).
- Meet the government’s ACP eligibility criteria. A household is ACP-eligible if it meets at least one of the following conditions:
- Its annual income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines. For example, if you have a household of 4, your annual income must be at or less than $60,000.
- A household member participates in one of the following government assistance programs:
- Lifeline
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Medicaid
- Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
- Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
- Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program, including at U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Community Eligibility Provision schools
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
- Head Start (only households meeting the income qualifying standard)
- Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF)
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
- The household received a Federal Pell Grant in the current award year
How Can You Prove That You Qualify for a Free Tablet in NYC
To prove that you qualify for a free table in NYC through the ACP program, you must prove the following information:
- That you are a NY resident. You can prove your address with a valid ID, driver’s license, utility bill, most recent W-2 or tax return, mortgage or lease statement, or another valid official document that includes your address and full name.
- That you are old enough to participate or that you are an emancipated minor. You can prove your age with a valid ID, birth certificate, passport, driver’s license, Certificate of U.S. Citizenship or Naturalization, Permanent Resident Card or Green Card, or another valid official document that includes your full name and date of birth. You can prove your emancipation status with a court document or emancipation certificate.
- That you meet the ACP eligibility criteria (either your low income or your participation in a qualifying assistance program or the Federal Pell Grant). You can prove your low income-based eligibility with paycheck stubs, a current income statement from your employer, a prior year’s tax return, a Social Security statement of benefits, an Unemployment or Worker’s Compensation statement of benefits, a retirement/pension statement of benefits, divorce decree, child support award, or another valid official document that includes your full name and income. You can prove your program participation-based eligibility with an approval letter, benefit award letter, benefit verification letter, statement of benefits, or another valid official document that includes your full name, the name of the program, the name of the issuing establishment, and a valid expiration date.
You won’t have to prove that you are the only applicant in your household, as the National Verifier will be able to determine it on its own.
How to Apply for ACP to Get a Free Tablet in NYC
Some ACP providers enable you to apply directly through them. However, it’s best to first apply through the National Verifier, as this institution is the one that ultimately decides whether or not you qualify anyway.
You can apply through the National Verifier online at https://nv.fcc.gov/lifeline/?id=nv_flow&ebbp=true&awsl=link-from-how-to-apply. Simply fill out the application by providing all the required information and digital documentation copies.
You can apply via mail by following the instructions at https://www.affordableconnectivity.gov/how-to-apply/. When applying via mail, make sure to provide physical copies of your proof documentation.
How to Find the Best Free Tablet Provider in NYC
The best ACP companies that offer free ACP tablets include:
- AirTalk Wireless
- Cintex Wireless
- Easy Wireless
- Excess Telecom
- Go Technology Management
- Maxsip Telecom
- Moolah Wireless
- My Tablet ACP
- NewPhone Wireless
- Q Link Wireless
- StandUp Wireless
- Stimulus
- TruConnect
From these companies, only AirTalk Wireless, Easy Wireless, and TruConnect surely also operate in New York. You can check for other companies that may offer free tablets in your area at https://cnm.universalservice.org/. To do so, enter your ZIP code or city and state, choose ACP, and get a list of all available ACP providers in your area. Note which ones offer discounts on devices and then contact each of them to ask if they offer tablets.
To apply for a provider’s program, visit its website, find the ACP application form, and complete it by providing all the required information and documentation copies.
What Benefits Can I Get in Addition to a Free Tablet in NYC
As an ACP subscriber in NYC, you can get:
- A free tablet (according to government rules, you will have to pay a one-time fee of more than $10 and less than $50 to get the device)
- Free or discounted monthly internet services
- If it’s a Lifeline provider as well, you can also receive free phone service and even a free phone