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Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) ended on June 1, 2024, after Congress did not provide additional funding. It is not about to run out: the discount is gone, but the internet bills it helped pay are still due. Lifeline, provider discounts, and state or local assistance may help, but none is a universal replacement for ACP.
What the ACP provided—and who could qualify
Congress created the ACP through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in 2021 and funded it with a one-time $14.2 billion appropriation. Eligible households could receive a discount of up to $30 per month on internet service, or up to $75 per month on qualifying Tribal lands. The program also offered a one-time discount of up to $100 toward a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet, with a required household contribution. Congressional Research Service: The End of the ACP USAC: Affordable Connectivity Program
Eligibility generally included households with income at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines or someone in the household participating in certain assistance programs. More than 23 million households were enrolled before the program stopped accepting new applications. Enrollment shows the program’s reach; it does not establish how many households later lost internet service. FCC ACP wind-down announcement
Why the program ended
The ACP’s funding was finite. As the appropriation ran down, the FCC froze new enrollments in February 2024. Congress did not approve more money, and the program ended on June 1, 2024; the FCC could not continue issuing discounts after the funding was exhausted. USAC: Affordable Connectivity Program FCC ACP wind-down announcement
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Some households faced higher bills, while others may have changed plans, switched providers, relied on assistance, or disconnected. An enrollment total is not a count of actual disconnections. In a contemporaneous survey, many enrolled households said they expected to downgrade or cancel without the benefit; those responses described anticipated choices, not verified outcomes. Associated Press coverage of the survey
What help is available now?
Lifeline: the main federal option
Lifeline remains active, but its benefit is smaller and its eligibility rules are narrower than ACP’s. The standard benefit is up to $9.25 a month for qualifying broadband or bundled broadband-and-voice service. The benefit is up to $5.25 for qualifying voice-only service and up to $34.25 for eligible consumers on qualifying Tribal lands. One Lifeline benefit is allowed per qualifying household. USAC: Lifeline USAC: Minimum service standards
A household may qualify through income at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines or participation in programs such as SNAP, Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income, Federal Public Housing Assistance, or Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefits. Certain Tribal programs can also qualify people living on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligibility still requires an application and verification; receiving a qualifying benefit does not enroll a household automatically. USAC: Lifeline consumer eligibility
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For 2026, USAC lists these annual income limits for the 48 contiguous states, D.C., and territories. Alaska and Hawaii have higher limits. The thresholds change over time, so check the current USAC figures when applying.
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|---|---|
| 1 | $21,546 |
| 2 | $29,214 |
| 3 | $36,882 |
| 4 | $44,550 |
| 5 | $52,218 |
| 6 | $59,886 |
| 7 | $67,554 |
| 8 | $75,222 |
| Each additional person | Add $7,668 |
Source: USAC 2026 Lifeline income thresholds
The National Verifier generally handles Lifeline eligibility, with exceptions for Oregon and Texas. California began using the National Verifier and related federal processes for federal Lifeline eligibility and duplicate checks on February 1, 2026. After approval, a consumer must choose a participating phone or internet provider; approval alone does not start service. USAC says participants generally must recertify annually. USAC: Consumer eligibility USAC: Get started USAC: Lifeline orders
The one-benefit rule applies per household, not automatically per address or person. A household generally consists of people at the same address who share income and household expenses. Roommates or unrelated families who do not share those finances may be separate households, but may need to document that distinction. USAC: Consumer eligibility
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Provider discounts
Some internet companies offer their own income-qualified or otherwise discounted plans. These are provider programs, not federal entitlements, and what is offered may vary by address or whether a plan is open to new customers. Check the full terms before switching or enrolling:
- Regular monthly price and when any introductory rate ends.
- Download and upload speeds, data limits, and any restrictions on hotspot use.
- Equipment rental, installation, taxes, and other fees.
- Contract, cancellation, and late-payment terms.
- Whether the service is actually available at your address and whether Lifeline can be combined with the discount.
Do not assume an advertised starting price applies to your household or location. The total monthly bill and the service limits matter more than the headline rate.
State, local, and Tribal resources
State broadband offices, public utility commissions, housing authorities, school districts, libraries, and community organizations may know about subsidies, device assistance, hotspot lending, public Wi-Fi, digital-literacy support, or participating providers. These options vary by location. Ask your state broadband office or public utility commission, contact your local library or housing authority, or call 211 to ask about local assistance.
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For people living on qualifying Tribal lands, the enhanced Lifeline benefit may make a significant difference. Eligibility depends on location and other program rules, not Native identity alone, and the household must use a participating provider. Eligible Tribal households should also ask about Tribal Link Up, a separate benefit that may help with service initiation in qualifying circumstances. USAC: Lifeline USAC: Lifeline announcements
Survivors experiencing financial hardship may have a separate path under the Safe Connections Act: qualifying survivors who pursue a line-separation request may receive emergency Lifeline support for up to six months. This specialized provision is distinct from ordinary Lifeline eligibility. USAC: Safe Connections Act
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why Lifeline is not a replacement for ACP
The FCC said during the ACP wind-down that Lifeline could ease costs for some households but was not a replacement: not all ACP households qualify for Lifeline, and many ACP providers did not participate in Lifeline. The benefits also differ substantially. FCC ACP wind-down announcement
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| Feature | ACP | Lifeline |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Ended June 1, 2024 | Active |
| Standard monthly broadband benefit | Up to $30 | Up to $9.25 |
| Monthly benefit on qualifying Tribal lands | Up to $75 | Up to $34.25 |
| General income threshold | At or below 200% of federal poverty guidelines | At or below 135% of federal poverty guidelines |
| Device assistance | One-time discount up to $100 toward a qualifying device, with a required household contribution | A separate Tribal Link Up benefit may apply in qualifying circumstances; it is not the ACP device discount |
| Household limit | One benefit per household | One benefit per household |
Sources: USAC ACP program information USAC Lifeline overview USAC Lifeline eligibility
There is no single nationwide program that currently replicates ACP’s reach and benefit. A household that qualified for ACP may not qualify for Lifeline, and even an eligible household must find a participating provider offering suitable service at its address. Congressional Research Service: The End of the ACP
How to look for affordable service now
- Check Lifeline eligibility. Review the official rules and use the National Verifier where applicable. Gather proof of qualifying program participation or income if requested. USAC eligibility information
- Apply and select a participating provider. Follow the official application process, then confirm which providers serve your address and whether each offers fixed broadband, mobile service, or both. USAC: Get started
- Ask your current provider about lower-cost options. Ask specifically about income-qualified, hardship, or retention plans, and request the complete price and terms in writing.
- Check local help. Contact your state broadband office, public library, school district, housing authority, or 211 about subsidies, hotspots, device programs, and public access.
- Compare service for the household’s actual needs. A mobile plan may suit one person with light use, but data limits, congestion, hotspot restrictions, or weak coverage can make it a poor substitute for a household relying on video calls, schoolwork, telehealth, or remote work.
- For qualifying Tribal households, ask about enhanced Lifeline and Link Up. Confirm qualifying-location rules and provider participation before relying on either benefit. USAC: Lifeline USAC: Lifeline announcements
For a fixed broadband plan, USAC’s current Lifeline minimum service standards table lists a minimum of 25/3 Mbps and a 1,280 GB usage allowance. A plan meeting a minimum standard may still be insufficient for a particular household, so compare the actual speed, data terms, and expected use. USAC: Minimum service standards
Watch for outdated pages and misleading offers
- ACP application claims: ACP is not accepting applications. A page claiming to take new ACP applications does not mean the federal program has restarted. Confirm program information through USAC or the FCC.
- Expired provider pages: An old low-cost plan page may not describe current enrollment or availability. Confirm directly with the provider.
- Promotional rates: Check the price after the introductory period, equipment charges, installation, taxes, data limits, and any required bundle.
- Annual verification: Lifeline participants generally must recertify, and applications may require documentation. Follow official notices so a verification issue does not interrupt the benefit. USAC: Get started
Why internet affordability is more than a convenience
Households use broadband to apply for jobs, work remotely, complete school assignments, communicate with teachers, access telehealth, apply for public benefits, pay bills, search for housing, receive emergency information, and stay connected with family. When service becomes unaffordable, the consequences can reach other essential parts of daily life. The FCC described the ACP as supporting work, school, health care, and other everyday needs. FCC ACP order
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