Internet Access Support Program (IASP)

Internet Access Support Program (IASP) is sponsored by KC Digital Drive. The IASP provides direct financial assistance to families to help subsidize the cost of broadband access.

Internet Access Support Program | Kansas City Digital Drive Internet Access Support Program | Kansas City Digital Drive Internet Access Support Program Providing direct financial assistance to families affected by COVID-19, and helping to subsidize the cost of broadband access at home.

Click to Learn More and Apply Assistance Provided Through the Internet Access Fund Households Enrolled to Date In 2020, we launched the Internet Access Support Program (IASP) to provide direct financial assistance to families affected by COVID-19, and help subsidize the cost of broadband access.

The IASP grew out of KCDD’s role in helping administer Johnson County’s Digital Equity Strike Force , established to deliver CARES Act funding for digital inclusion.

KCDD is the backbone organization that led the Strike Force implementation plan, including: a) assembling a contract staff of 13 to develop and implement the program; b) marketing the program; c) creating a case management system; d) providing high-touch customer service; e) creating an institutional process to connect qualified clients at scale from other community organizations; f) developing and implementing a communications strategy to reach the unconnected g) establishing a novel and secure payment arrangement through Commerce Bank in compliance with CARES Act requirements; h) preserving client choice in the Internet Service Provider (ISP) marketplace; and i) ensuring funds were being spent appropriately.

Families began enrolling in November 2020, and the entire Johnson County allocation ($600,000 for Johnson County residents) was assigned to families by the December 30 CARES Act deadline.

KCDD simultaneously administered the internet support funds from the Recovery Fund ($250,000 in total available to any metro resident), where almost 1,200 individuals and families from across the metro have been enrolled in the program, supported by these two funding sources. To enroll in the program, families may use the program web portal or call the telephone number listed there to apply.

Navigators/case managers determine whether families meet the income guidelines and otherwise qualify for assistance, and determine whether families are looking for new affordable service, trying to pay off an old balance, or trying to get caught up on their current service. Qualified families are eligible for up to $225 in arrears payments, and up to $75/month for their monthly internet service going forward.

Eligibility ends after six months and cannot be accessed more than once in a year. How the IASP Helps People Get Connected Good, high-speed internet access is more important now than ever for work, school, or just to stay in touch with friends and family, but for many it can be difficult to afford. Never before have there been as many options available to help households get connected and pay for their internet bill.

The Internet Access Support Program can explain these options and walk individuals through the process to apply. This program is open to people who live in the greater KC region.

It can help people of all ages: Find affordable internet service in your area Pay for your monthly internet bill, get caught up on your internet service bill, or pay off an old balance preventing you from signing up for service Understand your monthly internet bill and how you may be able to save money by cord cutting or changing internet plans Assistance through this program is primarily intended for households with limited incomes and particularly those who suffered a loss of income as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

As such, some sources of support may only be available to those who meet certain income limits. However, even for households who do not qualify for direct benefits and subsidies, IASP may be able to help individuals better understand their internet bills and discover ways of lowering their costs through negotiation, cord cutting, or other strategies.

To learn more about IASP or other affordability programs, including the FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program , and to apply online – please visit kcconnect. me . Click to Learn More and Apply The June meeting of the KC Coalition for Digital Inclusion brought together four voices from the region’s affordable housing and digital equity sectors for a rich conversation on how housing stability and internet access shape each other.

Health Forward Foundation’s Adriana Pecina and John Tramel, LISC Greater Kansas City Executive Director Geoff Jolly, Hispanic Economic Development Corporation (HEDC) Executive Director Pedro Zamora, and Phoenix Family Program Manager Jessica Welch joined KC Digital Drive Digital Inclusion Program Manager Leslie Scott to explore what it means to live at the intersection of two of Kansas City’s most persistent inequities.

After visiting DC regularly for a number of years for conferences or other programs, it struck me that it might be worthwhile to meet with our federal legislators. I didn’t have an ask or an agenda, and KC Digital Drive does not have a policy portfolio per se.

But we do engage with several federal […] During the 2026 MLK Day celebration, community leaders and advocates showed up in support of Vernon Multipurpose Center’s kickoff of their ADOPT 2. 0 Devices and Public WiFi program. Participants learned about how to receive a free computer, and community partners are encouraged to reach out and learn more on how to connect their clients.

There are no upcoming events scheduled.