Ramsey Connected - Computer & Internet Resources
Ramsey County Library - Digital Inclusion Week
Ramsey County Library has digital literacy classes scheduled throughout Digital Inclusion Week at rclreads.org.
Ramsey County's digital literacy coordinator is working with a Community Technology Empowerment Project member to staff a table at various libraries throughout the week promoting digital equity resources available within Ramsey County, including affordable internet options, refurbished devices, computer classes, career labs, etc.).
About Digital Inclusion Week
Digital Inclusion Week is an annual week of awareness, recognition and celebration. Organizations and individuals across the country host special events and campaigns to promote digital equity in their communities. This year’s theme is “Turning Our Moment into Movement,” signaling a turning point and time of action for the digital inclusion movement.
Please join us Oct. 3-7, 2022 – this will be our biggest Digital Inclusion Week ever, with seasoned practitioners and newly launched programs hosting virtual and in-person events. Digital Inclusion Week aims to raise awareness of solutions addressing home internet access, personal devices, and local technology training and support programs.
Learn more about Digital Inclusion Week
About Ramsey Connected
Built on the belief that digital access is a basic need, Ramsey Connected is an initiative designed to ensure all Ramsey County residents have access to low-cost internet and computers and the skills to use them.
The resources listed below are for informational purposes only and are not endorsed by the county.
Digital equity resource map
An interactive map is available to help you find digital equity resources near you.
View Digital Equity Resource Map
Low-cost internet and computers
To find a local internet provider, you can use the Companies Near Me search tool. The results may vary. See below for additional low-cost options for internet and computers.
Affordable Connectivity Program
The Affordable Connectivity Program is a Federal Communications Commission program that helps connect families and households struggling to afford internet service. This new benefit provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward broadband 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.
Comcast Internet Essentials
Residents who qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program can receive their Internet Essentials or Internet Essentials Plus plan for free.
PCs for People
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.
Repowered
Repowered (FKA TechDump/TechDiscounts) offers high quality refurbished and vintage electronics along with new devices.
Phone resources
The Federal Communications Commission's Lifeline program provides free cellular service each month for eligible customers. Lifeline is a government assistance program. Lifeline benefits are limited to a single line of service per household. You may not receive multiple Lifeline discounts. You may apply your Lifeline discount to either one landline or one wireless number, but you cannot have the discount on both.
In general, if a subscriber participates in any of the following programs, they are qualified for low-income telephone assistance:
- Food Stamps or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
- Medicaid (not Medicare).
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)*.
- Section 8 Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA).
- Veteran's Pension or Survivor's Pension Benefit.
- An individual may also qualify if their income is at or below 135% of federal poverty guidelines.
Telephone Equipment Distribution (TED) Program
The Telephone Equipment Distribution (TED) Program provides a variety of adaptive phone devices to people who have difficulty using the phone. People who are deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing or who have a speech or physical disability often find these devices make using the phone easier. Devices are loaned for free to those who qualify, for as long as they need them.
Improve your computer and job skills
- North Star Digital Literacy
- Ramsey County Library Tech Support
- Saint Paul Public Libraries
- Saint Paul Public Library Digital Navigators
- Project for Pride in Living computer learning handouts
- Saint Paul Literacy Consortium digital literacy classes
- Grow with Google - With Google Career Certificates, any U.S. business can train their employees at no cost, Google is offering access to up to 500 scholarships per company.
Ramsey County Community Career Labs
Ramsey County Community Career Labs provide in-person and virtual services for job seekers.
Saint Paul Public Library Career Labs
Tech careers
About Ramsey Connected
Ramsey County believes internet access is a basic need and low-cost internet should be available to all residents. While Ramsey County is not an internet service provider, we serve as a promoter, connector and partner through our Ramsey Connected program. In these roles, we share information from other government, for-profit and nonprofit organizations to Ramsey County residents and community organizations. We also make connections between residents, community organizations, federal and state government and for-profit technology organizations, and serve as a partner to share our knowledge of community needs, bring impacted communities to the table, and share and develop ideas and strategies.