The Landscape Has Changed, But Support Remains
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) was a $14.2 billion federal initiative that gave eligible households up to $30 per month off internet service, or $75 on qualifying Tribal lands. When Congress declined to renew funding, the program officially ended in June 2024, and roughly 23 million enrolled households lost their monthly credit overnight.
That was a real blow for families who had built their budgets around that discount. Sarah, a single mom in Austin, Texas, told us her family's internet bill went from $10 to $55 the month after ACP ended. "I had to choose between the internet and groceries for a week," she said. Stories like hers played out across the country, from rural Ohio to suburban California.
What many households do not realize is that the ACP was never the only option. A patchwork of federal, state, and provider-level assistance remains available in 2026, and stacking these programs can bring monthly costs down to a manageable range.
What Still Exists at the Federal Level
The Lifeline program remains active nationwide. Administered by the FCC and the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), Lifeline offers a monthly discount of up to $9.25 on internet or phone service, with an enhanced benefit of up to $34.25 for households on qualifying Tribal lands. It is a smaller benefit than ACP, but it is a permanent program with steady funding.
Eligibility for Lifeline follows two paths. You qualify through income if your household earns at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines. You also qualify automatically if anyone in your household participates in SNAP, Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Federal Public Housing Assistance, the National School Lunch Program, or a Veterans Pension or Survivors Benefit.
The application process runs through the National Verifier at lifelinesupport.org. You will need your name, date of birth, last four digits of your Social Security number, and proof of enrollment in a qualifying program or proof of income. Approval typically takes a few days, and once approved, you choose a participating provider in your area to apply the credit.
Provider Plans Fill the Gap
With ACP gone, most major internet providers stepped up with their own low-income plans. These are not government handouts—they are commercially offered discounts—but they serve the same purpose and are worth exploring.
| Provider | Plan Name | Monthly Price | Speed | Who Qualifies | Notes |
|---|
| Comcast Xfinity | Internet Essentials | $9.95–$14.95 | 50–100 Mbps | SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, FPHA, NSLP | No contract, no credit check, includes modem |
| Comcast Xfinity | Internet Essentials Plus | $29.95 | 100 Mbps | Same as above | Includes streaming option |
| AT&T | Access | Around $30 | Up to 100 Mbps | SNAP, NSLP, SSI (CA residents), or income at/below 200% of FPG | No equipment fees, no deposit |
| Spectrum | Internet Assist | Around $25 | 50 Mbps | NSLP, or income at/below 200% of FPG | No contracts, modem included |
| Cox | ConnectAssist | Around $30 | 50–100 Mbps | SNAP, NSLP, or income at/below 200% of FPG | No data caps in most areas |
| Astound | Internet First | Varies by market | Varies | Income-qualified households | Available in select East and West Coast cities |
| T-Mobile | Project 10Million | Free hotspot | Varies | Households with K-12 students in NSLP | Includes free hotspot and low-cost plans |
Prices and availability vary by address, so the critical step is checking what is actually offered where you live. A quick note: one household can receive only one Lifeline discount, but you can often combine a provider's low-income plan with the Lifeline credit. Ask the provider directly whether they stack both.
State and Local Programs Add Another Layer
Beyond federal and provider help, several states run their own broadband affordability initiatives. California's Broadband for All program partners with local internet providers to offer discounted service to income-qualified households. New York's ConnectALL initiative funds similar efforts, and Chicago Connected provides no-cost internet to Chicago Public Schools students and their families. Texas, Ohio, and Michigan have all launched digital equity programs since the ACP ended, though funding levels and eligibility vary.
The fastest way to find these programs is to search for your state's broadband office or public utilities commission website. Most states publish a list of active assistance programs, including contact details and application links. Local libraries and community centers are also good starting points—many employ digital navigators who help residents enroll in affordable internet programs at no charge.
Steps to Lower Your Internet Bill Today
Start with Lifeline. Go to lifelinesupport.org, check eligibility, and submit your application. This is the only nationwide federal discount still available, and it can be combined with a provider plan.
Then, identify your provider options. Visit the websites of the major providers serving your area and look for their low-income or "assist" plans. If you were an ACP enrollee, several providers, including Comcast and AT&T, made it easy for former ACP customers to transition to their discount plans without interruption.
Check your state programs. Search for your state broadband office or use the phrase "low income internet assistance [your state]" to surface local initiatives. Some states, like California and New York, offer subsidies beyond what providers list publicly.
Compare final prices, not advertised prices. Ask about taxes, equipment fees, and installation charges before you commit. A plan advertised at $30 can climb to $45 with fees in some markets.
Contact your current provider. If you already have internet service and are struggling with the bill, call customer service and ask about retention offers or hardship programs. Providers sometimes offer temporary discounts to keep customers connected rather than lose them to disconnection.
The Bottom Line
The end of ACP did not end assistance for affordable home internet. Lifeline remains active, major providers continue to offer discounted plans, and state programs are expanding. The challenge is that no single resource lists everything at once, so finding the right combination takes a bit of legwork. Start with Lifeline, layer in a provider's low-income plan, and check state resources. Sarah from Austin eventually landed on a combination that brought her bill back down to $15 a month. The programs exist; the key is knowing where to look and asking the right questions before you enroll.
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