TL;DR
Anyone can shop at the Human-I-T Online Store, but creating a free account unlocks better perks — and income-qualified individuals or nonprofits can apply for a Gold Membership to access low-cost internet plans, hotspots, and steeper device discounts. Sign up takes minutes: visit the store, choose Standard or Gold, and provide the required info. Every purchase supports digital equity and diverts e-waste from landfills.
Table of Contents
- Who Can Shop at the Human-I-T Online Store?
- What Are the Different Membership Types?
- How Do You Sign Up for a Membership?
- What If You Need Help?
- FAQ
Introduction
A refurbished laptop for a fraction of retail price — and your purchase helps connect a working family to the internet. That’s the idea behind the Human-I-T Online Store.
We redesigned our storefront to serve everyone, not just income-qualified shoppers. Whether you’re a college student hunting for a budget-friendly device, a nonprofit stretching a tight equipment budget, or a single parent who needs reliable internet at an honest price, the store is built for you. Standard Members get access to quality refurbished electronics. Gold Members — verified income-qualified individuals and nonprofits — unlock low-cost internet plans, hotspot purchases, and deeper discounts on laptops and tablets.
Every device you buy directly funds our mission: bridging the digital divide and keeping electronics out of landfills. Here’s how the store works, step by step.
Who Can Shop at the Human-I-T Online Store?
Everyone. The store is open to all — no income verification required to browse or buy.
In the past, our storefront served exclusively low-income individuals with affordable refurbished electronics. That model made a real impact, but it left out people who wanted to support digital equity through their purchasing power. We saw an opportunity to engage a wider audience — not just as recipients, but as active contributors to a circular economy.
Now, when you purchase a device from Human-I-T, you’re doing two things at once. You’re getting a high-quality refurbished laptop or tablet at a fair price. And you’re funding operations that connect underserved communities to digital opportunities while reducing the demand that generates more e-waste.
You don’t need an account to shop as a Guest. But creating one — especially a Gold Membership — opens the door to benefits that matter.
What Are the Different Membership Types?
Human-I-T offers two membership tiers for individuals, plus accounts for nonprofit organizations. Here’s how they compare.
Standard Membership
This is the default account, open to anyone who visits the store. A Standard Membership lets you:
- Save your information for faster checkout
- Track your orders
- Get early access to deals and savings opportunities
Standard Members can browse and purchase the full range of refurbished laptops and tablets. However, Standard accounts do not include access to low-cost internet plans, hotspot purchases, or member-exclusive device discounts.
Every purchase you make still supports our mission of promoting digital equity and reducing e-waste — you just won’t have access to the income-qualified pricing tier.
Gold Membership
Gold Memberships are designed for income-qualified individuals and nonprofit organizations. This is a free program — no membership fee, no hidden costs — built to ensure that affordability doesn’t stand between working families and the technology they need.
Gold Members get everything Standard Members have, plus:
- Low-cost internet plans at a fraction of typical provider pricing
- The ability to purchase hotspots
- Member-exclusive discounts on select laptops and tablets
To qualify, you’ll need a valid photo ID and proof of income or participation in a government assistance program. We’ll cover exactly what documentation you need in the sign-up section below.
Note: The federal Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which previously provided a $30/month broadband subsidy, ended on June 1, 2024. Human-I-T’s Gold Membership remains one of the strongest alternatives for income-qualified families seeking affordable connectivity — no government subsidy required.
Creating an account isn’t mandatory to shop with us. But if you qualify for Gold, you’re leaving real savings on the table by skipping it.
How Do You Sign Up for a Membership?
The process takes minutes. Here’s the walkthrough for both tiers.
Step 1: Visit the Sign-Up Page
Head to the Human-I-T Online Store and navigate to the sign-up page. You’ll see the option to create a new account right away.
Step 2: Choose Your Membership Type
You’ll pick between two paths:
Standard Membership — for anyone looking to buy quality refurbished electronics and support digital equity.
Gold Membership — for income-qualified individuals and nonprofits seeking low-cost internet, hotspots, and deeper device discounts.
For Standard Memberships
Provide your information. Enter your name, email address, and create a password. That’s it.
Start shopping. Your account is live immediately. Browse, buy, and track orders at your convenience.
For Gold Memberships
Provide your information. Same basics — name, email, password.
Submit proof of eligibility. You’ll need to upload documentation verifying your income-qualified status. Accepted documents include a federal or tribal notice letter showing participation in a government assistance program, or proof of your yearly gross income. Gold Membership requires a valid photo ID and proof of income or program participation. For the full list of accepted documents, check the eligibility requirements here.
Receive approval. A Human-I-T agent reviews your submission. Once approved, you unlock exclusive discounts, low-cost internet plans, and hotspot purchasing. While you wait, you can still shop as a Guest or Standard Member — no need to pause.
Start shopping with your new benefits. Once approved, your Gold pricing kicks in immediately.
What If You Need Help?
We get it — signing up for accounts and navigating eligibility can feel like a lot. That’s why our support team exists.
Reach out anytime during the sign-up process or while using your membership:
- Email: support@store.human-i-t.org
- Phone: 888-391-7249
No phone trees. No runaround. Real people ready to help you get connected.
Start Shopping — and Start Making an Impact
Whether you’re a Guest, a Standard Member, or a Gold Member, every device you purchase from the Human-I-T Online Store directly funds our work bridging the digital divide. You’re choosing refurbished over new. You’re choosing a circular economy over a throwaway culture. And you’re choosing to put working families online.
Become a Human-I-T Member today and shop refurbished laptops, tablets, and hotspots — at prices that reflect what affordable actually means.
FAQ
Do I need an account to shop at the Human-I-T Online Store?
No. You can browse and purchase devices as a Guest without creating an account. However, creating a Standard or Gold Membership gives you faster checkout, order tracking, and — for Gold Members — access to low-cost internet plans and deeper discounts.
What documents do I need for a Gold Membership?
You’ll need a valid photo ID and proof of income or program participation — such as a federal or tribal notice letter from a government assistance program, or documentation of your yearly gross income. See the full eligibility requirements.
Is the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) still available through Human-I-T?
No. The ACP ended on June 1, 2024. However, Human-I-T’s Gold Membership still provides access to low-cost internet plans and discounted devices for income-qualified individuals and nonprofits — no federal subsidy needed. Check your eligibility and sign up here.
How long does Gold Membership approval take?
After you submit your documentation, a Human-I-T agent reviews it manually. While you wait for approval, you can still shop as a Guest or Standard Member. Once approved, your Gold benefits activate immediately.
Can nonprofit organizations get a Gold Membership?
Yes. Nonprofit organizations can create a Human-I-T account and access Gold Membership benefits, including discounted devices for their teams and communities.
