The Landscape After the ACP Wind-Down
The ACP was funded through a one-time allocation of $14.2 billion, which is why the program could not continue once the money was spent. As of 2026, Congress has introduced bills to revive a similar benefit, but none have passed, and there is no direct federal replacement. This leaves a patchwork of options that varies depending on where you live and what assistance programs you already qualify for.
Before you search for anything online, keep one important warning in mind. Because the ACP has ended, any website that asks you to "enroll in the ACP" or pay a fee to sign up is not legitimate. The real programs below are free to apply for, and you should never hand over your Social Security number or bank details to a site promising ACP benefits. You can report suspicious sites at fcc.gov/complaints.
The programs that remain fall into three categories: the federal Lifeline benefit, discounted plans offered directly by internet providers, and state or city-run assistance programs that emerged after the ACP ended.
Lifeline: The Permanent Federal Discount
Lifeline is the one federal program that never went away. It provides a monthly discount of up to $9.25 on phone or internet service, and up to $34.25 for residents on Tribal lands. The program is administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) and remains fully active.
Qualifying is straightforward. You can get Lifeline if your household income is at or below 135 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, or if you participate in a qualifying government benefit program such as SNAP, Medicaid, or SSI. The FCC also sets minimum service standards for Lifeline home broadband: speeds of 25/3 Mbps with a monthly data allowance of 1280 GB, which is plenty for streaming, remote work, and online classes.
Applying takes about fifteen minutes. You can go through the National Verifier at lifelinesupport.org, where the system automatically checks your eligibility against participating benefit programs. If it cannot verify you automatically, you will need to upload documents such as a benefit award letter or tax return. Note that Oregon and Texas do not use the National Verifier, so residents of those states must follow their specific state processes through their public utility commissions.
Because the Lifeline discount is modest on its own, the smartest approach is stacking it with a low-cost provider plan where allowed. Combining the two can bring your monthly bill close to zero.
Provider Plans Designed for Low-Income Households
Several major internet providers operate their own assistance programs, many of which are tied to the same government benefits that qualify you for Lifeline.
Xfinity Internet Essentials is the most widely available option, serving households that participate in SNAP, Medicaid, the National School Lunch Program, or similar assistance. The plan costs $14.95 per month for speeds up to 75 Mbps, requires no credit check and no Social Security number, and includes the option to buy a discounted laptop for $149.99. An upgraded tier, Internet Essentials Plus, offers 100 Mbps for $29.95 per month.
Cox Connect2Compete offers what many consider the best price-to-speed deal in the market at $9.95 per month for 100 Mbps. It is available to households with a K-12 student who participate in SNAP, TANF, or similar aid programs, and it includes the Wi-Fi modem at no extra cost with no annual contract and no deposit. For homes without a student, Cox offers ConnectAssist at $30 per month for 100 Mbps. Cox service is available in more than 18 states.
T-Mobile Project 10Million takes a different approach, giving qualifying K-12 families a free mobile hotspot with data for homework, rather than a fixed home connection. It is a useful supplement for households that need a backup connection or that live in areas where fixed broadband is not available.
| Program | Typical monthly cost | Speeds | Who qualifies | Key strengths | Watch out for |
|---|
| Lifeline (federal) | Up to $9.25 off ($34.25 Tribal) | 25/3 Mbps standard | Income at/below 135% FPL or SNAP/Medicaid/SSI | Permanent, stackable with provider plans | Discount alone may not cover full bill |
| Xfinity Internet Essentials | $14.95–$29.95 | 75–100 Mbps | SNAP, Medicaid, NSLP participants | No credit check, no SSN, laptop option | Availability varies by region |
| Cox Connect2Compete | $9.95 | 100 Mbps | K-12 households with SNAP/TANF | Lowest cost, equipment included | Requires a student in the home |
| NextLight Internet Assistance (Longmont, CO) | $14.95–$44.95 | 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps | Qualifying low-income households in Longmont | Community-owned fiber, gigabit option | Limited to one city |
| California LifeLine | State subsidy on top of federal benefit | Varies by plan | Low-income households and foster youth in CA | Up to 12.5–24.5 GB data when stacked with federal benefit | Wireline subsidy capped at $19 |
State and Municipal Programs Filling the Gap
When the ACP ended, some states and cities stepped up with their own versions. California LifeLine is a notable example. The California Public Utilities Commission updated the program in late 2026 to increase support while controlling costs. For wireless customers who also receive the federal $9.25 Lifeline benefit, participating providers must now offer an additional 4.5 GB of monthly data, bringing the total to 12.5 GB, with the option of as much as 24.5 GB if the provider offers it. For wireline service, the basic subsidy is set at 55 percent of a provider's combined basic rate and end-user common line charge, or $19, whichever is lower. The program serves roughly 1.46 million California households that participate in both the state and federal lifeline programs.
Municipal broadband networks are also stepping forward. Longmont, Colorado's community-owned fiber provider NextLight launched its Internet Assistance Program in April 2024, right as the ACP was collapsing. The program gives qualifying customers a 100-megabit connection for $14.95 per month or a gigabit connection for $44.95 per month. By April 2025, the program was helping 1,034 customers, a 14 percent increase over the number who had been receiving the federal ACP discount a year earlier. Longmont is not alone. Municipal providers in other states have launched similar initiatives, so it is worth checking whether your city operates or partners with a community broadband network.
Practical Steps to Get Connected
Start by checking whether your household already participates in SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, the National School Lunch Program, or similar assistance. That single fact determines eligibility for most of the options above.
Then apply for Lifeline through lifelinesupport.org if you qualify. This is the foundation of your savings. Next, contact the internet providers in your area and ask directly whether they offer a low-income plan. Many providers do not advertise these plans prominently, so asking by phone or through their website's assistance page often surfaces options you would not find otherwise.
If you live in California, Colorado, or another state with its own program, contact your state public utility commission to see what state-level subsidies exist. For Tribal households, check the enhanced Lifeline benefit of $34.25 per month, which makes a significant difference on a monthly bill.
Finally, use the "Companies Near Me" tool on lifelinesupport.org to see which Lifeline providers serve your zip code. Community organizations, libraries, and workforce centers in many areas also offer free application assistance, which can help if the online verification process gets complicated.
The internet is no longer optional for work, school, or healthcare, and losing a connection should not be a financial decision. Between Lifeline, provider discount plans, and the growing number of state and municipal programs, most qualifying households can still find an affordable path to stay online.
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