Frequently Asked Questions

The application fee is $20. This fee is mandatory and non-refundable. This small fee helps us to offset the cost of reviewing applications, identity checks and the time it takes to verify eligibility information.

Most applicants can complete this application within about 15 minutes although the process is different for most.

Grants are provided as long as there is funding. We are always funding this area, receiving funds for this area or soliciting funds from donors to help us help you and your family.

This question is a popular one. Grants are given on a case by case basis, first come, first serve. When funds are depleted, the application round is closed, and all participants are added to our waiting list based on the order the application was received. When new funds are received, the participants on the waiting list are contacted first and given 48 business hours to respond. If a response is not received within the time frame alotted, the application is rejected and the grant seeker must reapply when there is availability.

Synergy Charity does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, approving and denying grants and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, clients, volunteers, subcontractors, vendors, and clients. All grant seekers or clients are assisted on a case by case basis, first come, first serve, to make it fair for everyone.

Synergy Charity will work with any Internet Service Provider within the States that we are registered in. That being stated, Synergy Charity has engaged the services of Synergy Internet to provide both wired and wireless services to our grantees. Where Synergy Internet is not available, Synergy Internet faciliates setting up services for our program participants with other local and national providers. Sio while we focus on the grants and the grant seekers, Synergy Internet is engaged by us to focus on the actual physical services provided to our clients.

On average, it takes around 7 to 15 days to provide service to a program participant once a grant has been approved. Although it can take longer depending on various factors. Synergy Charity does not guarantee that service will come within a specified period of time. Grant seekers who need immediate internet are encouraged not to follow through on applying for services if you are unable or unwilling to wait.

Although, our grants seek to cover 100% of your internet costs, in some instances, a grant will only partially cover services with an internet service provider. This means that you may be required to cover upto 35% of your internet. In those cases, we will provide a grant to cover the remainder of the amount owed for the contract term but you must make your portion of the internet payment on time, every month to avoid late fees or disconnections with the carrier. Synergy Charity will not provide a grant to restore service or to pay past due balances when a partial grant has already been provided.

Eligible applicants who have not recieved a grant are enouraged to apply once every 6 months. Once you receive a grant, you can only recertify towards the end of  1 year of being one of our active clients. If you are a client who receives a partial grant to cover internet services and your service is disconnected due to non-payment, you may apply again 1 year from the date of the disconnection. Again, all grants are first come, first serve. Recertifying does not guarantee that you will be reapproved or continued on our program. We reserve the right to withdraw your grant at any time, for any reason.

The short and simple answer is YES. If it is proven by law enforcement that you are using the services we are providing to you through our grant, for any unlawful or dishonest purpose, your grant will be withdrawn and your services disconnected. This includes data abuse, providing internet to a next door neighbor or running an online gambling or cannabis business.

For all new and existing participants, the speed of the program’s Internet service is now 50 Mbps downstream and 5 Mbps upstream! There is no need to do anything, existing customers are automatically included in this speed. However these speeds do vary from location to location and are never guaranteed. 

This will depend on the service provider in your area. However, our standard grant covers wireless internet which is backed by the Verizon Network and is available anywhere Verizon wireless is available. Wired service is provided in some areas.

Our grants are designed to cover 500GB wireless capped plans per month or wired plans with download speeds of 50 MBPS or lower. participants can opt for higher data allotments at there own cost. When you reach the monthly allotment of 500 GB, you are subject to a soft cap and services will slow down. The average family utilizes about 200 to 300 GB per month, on average.

Our grants will normally cover the following unless you are provided with different information upon approval :

1. Activation Fee (if any)
2. 50% or 100% of your Installation Fee depending on eligibility and final approval
3.  65% to 100% of your monthly bill depending on eligibility and final approval
4. The cost of the lease on the router/modem
5. 50% of any lease deposits
6. Money currently owed to Synergy Internet depending on eligibility and final approval
7. 100% shipping costs to your place of residence - for wireless devices

We do not approve grants for:

1. Minors or anyone under the age of 18.
2. More than 1 person in a household, unless you can provide separate residential leases such as would be the case for individuals or families renting a room.
3. Restore Fees or Late fees for participants already receiving a grant.
4. Illegal or business purposes
5. Individuals or families residing in states where Synergy Charity is not legally registered.
6. Any other purpose beyond providing free or low cost individuals or families who find themselves in disadvantaged situations.
7. Application Fee

All grants are provided to the internet service providers directly. No portion of the funds are provided to the grant participants to distribute. Synergy Charity review panel chooses the provider and method of the service provided. 

There are three ways you can apply for an Internet grant with Synergy Charity:

Faster: click here to submit your application online. It takes about ten minutes if you do not have to submit documents.

Fast: you can call the Synergy Internet call center at 1-855-7-SYNERGY (1-855-779-6374) during business hours and a Synergy Representative will walk you through the easy application process. The whole process takes about 10 minutes if you do not have to submit documents.

Slow: You can chat with a Synergy Internet representative by clicking the chat dialogue box on our page, during business hours, and a Synergy Representative will walk you through the application process. We have found that this takes longer due to the typing and the delay in response. 

Hours of operation are from 9 AM to 4 pm (PST), Monday through Friday.

The answer to this will depend on if the internet service provider we assign to your grant is in that area. In some cases, this is not possible. In this case, the additional grant would be forfeited. However if the internet service provider does cover that area, you can make arrangments directly with the ISP for the move and the internet grant provided would follow your account.

If your service is through Synergy Internet, feel free to click here to chat with an Synergy Representative. Our grant reviewers are unable to answer questions regarding your bill or service. Synergy has generously offered to assist us with answering our chats and phones to assist us with keeping our operating costs low. If you are assigned to another carrier, you will need to contact the customer service number on your internet bill.

If a document has to be submitted for your application, please provide one (1) document from the list below:

1. MEDICAID:  card or most recent eligibility letter for any member of your household. Public housing assistance documentation such as your lease, housing assistance payment (HAP) contract, or eligibility documentation from HUD.
2. SNAP:  letter indicating you are approved for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits or EBT (Electronic Benefits)
3. TANF:  eligibility letter for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.
4. SSI: eligibility letter for Supplemental Security Income.
5. NSLP/Head Start: copy of a letter indicating current participation in the National School Lunch Program or Head Start, with your child's name, the school name, and the address of where you are requesting service.
6. LIHEAP: letter confirming your eligibility for Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.
7. WIC: eligibility letter for the Women, Infants, and Children program.
8. FEDERAL PELL GRANT: (Colorado and Illinois only) documentation from your community college’s financial aid office.
9. VA PENSION: veterans pension eligibility determination letter from the Veterans Administration. 
10. Tribal assistance eligibility letter, including TTANF, FDPIR, etc

If you need to upload documents for your existing application, click here.

If you encounter the following issues when submitting an online application, please call 1-855-7-SYNERGY (1-855-779-63746) for assistance from a Synergy Representative and help with filling out the application. Agents may be able to assist if:

1. It says my address is invalid
2. I already have an existing application
3. I am unable to complete my application online
4. The web page freezes up / I got stuck on a page

Hours of operation are from 9 AM to 4 PM (PST), Monday through Friday.

You can cancel your service with the provider at any time. Please remember that you will also need to return your equipment or you will be billed for the full cost of your device. You will not be able to apply for an internet grant with Synergy Charity within two years if you do not return the ISP's equipment. Sending your device back ensures that other households just like you can benefit from having the Internet at home.  Thank you.

If your household's income is at 135% or less than of the federal poverty guidelines, you may be eligible for our Internet Assistance Program. Click here to check out the guideline chart.

There are no overages, or overage charges as the current plan has a 500GB cap.

We are currently trying to processs grants within 2 weeks. We verify information through other governmental and non-governmental agenices which tends to take time. We are also many times, waiting for those agencies to get back to us. As we are not in control of the response time, this can add time to our current processing time. 

Eligible participants for the Internet Assistance Program will be notified by email, text, snail mail or sometimes by phone. Please make sure that any information provided to us, is up to date so that we are able to notify you when the time comes.

Applicants are allowed to upgrade to the unlimited plan, however the additional cost, is the responsibility of the participant and not the Internet Assistance Program. Additionally, if the plan or additional payments are not made on time, no additional grants are available for late fees, restore fees, or collections fees. 

IPTV is a seperate service from the Internet Assistance Program. You are allowed to add this service to your account, if you choose. However, you are responsible for paying the additional costs. It cannot be added to your grant. Additionally, if the plan or additional payments are not made on time, no additional grants are available for late fees, restore fees, or collections fees.