Utility, Phone & Internet Help › Guide

ACP Ended: Low-Income Internet Options That Still Help

By CalculateBenefits Editorial Team · Mark Phaneuf, Publisher
AI-assisted source check: November 10, 2026. What these dates mean.

The Affordable Connectivity Program, or ACP, ended on June 1, 2024. It no longer pays a monthly internet discount. Lifeline and some provider or local plans may still lower phone or internet costs.

No site can restart ACP for you. Treat an ACP sign-up fee or new-benefit promise as a warning.

What happened to the ACP?

The FCC says ACP ended because Congress did not add more funding. April 2024 was the last full month of the discount. ACP gave up to $30 a month off internet, or up to $75 on qualifying Tribal lands.

An old ACP approval does not turn into Lifeline on its own. You must apply for Lifeline if you want that benefit.

A provider may still use the words “low-cost internet,” but that does not mean the plan is ACP.

What does Lifeline cover?

Lifeline is a federal benefit. It can lower the cost of phone, internet, or a bundle of both. The standard discount is up to $9.25 a month.

People on qualifying Tribal lands may get up to $34.25 a month. One benefit is allowed per household, not one per person.

Who can get Lifeline?

You may be eligible through income. The limit is 135% of the federal poverty guidelines. For 2026, that is $21,546 a year for one person, or $44,550 for a home of four, in the 48 states and D.C. Alaska and Hawaii have higher limits.

You may also be eligible if you get SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, federal public housing help, or a Veterans or Survivors Pension. People on Tribal lands can also use some Tribal programs.

A survivor of domestic violence or human trafficking may get emergency Lifeline help for up to six months.

How do you apply for Lifeline?

1. Go to the official Lifeline Support site.
2. Apply online, by mail, or through a phone or internet company that takes Lifeline.
3. If you live in Oregon or Texas, use your state's own site.
4. Send proof only through an official secure route.
5. Choose a phone or internet company that takes Lifeline.

For help or a paper form, call the Lifeline Support Center at 1-800-234-9473. Applying for Lifeline is free. A company can charge for the service or a phone under its plan, so read the full price before you agree.

How do you keep Lifeline?

• Recertify each year when asked. This shows you can still get Lifeline. You have 60 days to do it.
• If you pay nothing for the service, use it at least once every 30 days.
• Tell your company within 30 days if you move or no longer qualify.

If you miss a step, the company may turn off your Lifeline discount.

Which low-cost provider plans still exist?

Some internet companies sell lower-cost plans to eligible homes. Rules, speed, price, equipment, and service areas can change. Check the provider site with your home address. Ask these questions:

• What is the full monthly price?
• Is a router included?
• Is there a start fee or contract?
• What speed will this address get?
• Will the price rise later?

Our provider plan guide compares current plans.

Can local programs help?

Yes. A school, library, housing agency, city, or nonprofit may lend a hotspot or pay part of a bill. These offers can be small and short-lived.

Call 211 and ask about digital access, a low-cost device, or internet help. A public library may offer free Wi-Fi, device loans, or computer time.

How can you spot an internet-benefit scam?

The FCC warns that some websites still offer ACP sign-ups. Stop if a caller says ACP has reopened, asks for a fee, or wants your account PIN. Do not send ID through a text link you did not ask for.

Report a fake ACP site at fcc.gov/complaints. If you gave your Social Security number or bank details to one, go to IdentityTheft.gov for next steps.

Start at FCC.gov, LifelineSupport.org, or the provider's main site. Check the web address before you upload proof.

What is the best next step?

Check Lifeline first because it is a federal benefit. Then compare provider plans at your exact address. Add any equipment, tax, and start fees before you pick.

If phone service matters more, read our Lifeline phone guide. The FCC does not pay for phones. A “free phone” is a company offer.

Programs mentioned in this guide