Right now, the main federal discount is the Lifeline program, which knocks up to $9.25 off your monthly internet or bundled phone-and-internet bill — $5.25 for voice-only service, or up to $34.25 if you live on Tribal land, according to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC.gov). The bigger program many households relied on, the Affordable Connectivity Program, stopped taking new enrollees and ran out of money in mid-2024 and has not been replaced by Congress as of this writing. That leaves Lifeline, provider-specific low-income plans, and a handful of state and nonprofit programs as your main options for cheaper home internet in 2026.
What Happened to the Affordable Connectivity Program
If you’ve heard of a $30-a-month internet credit ($75 on Tribal lands), that was the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). It launched on December 31, 2021, replacing the Emergency Broadband Benefit, and enrolled more than 23 million households at its peak, per FCC data. Congress didn’t appropriate more money for it, and the FCC officially wound the program down starting in the spring of 2024, with April 2024 the last month of full discounts, May 2024 the final partial-credit month, and the program formally ending June 1, 2024.
There’s no direct federal replacement. Some members of Congress have introduced bills to revive a similar subsidy, but nothing has passed. Check FCC.gov directly before you plan around any “new ACP” — scam texts and calls claiming to restart ACP enrollment have circulated since the shutdown, and the FCC has warned about them.
Lifeline: The Federal Program Still Standing
Lifeline is older and smaller than ACP was, but it’s still active and funded through the Universal Service Fund, administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) under FCC oversight.
The discount: $9.25 per month off internet or bundled voice-and-internet service, and $5.25 per month off voice-only service. Households on Tribal lands can get up to $34.25 per month. Only one Lifeline discount is allowed per household, not per person.
Who qualifies (for 2026 — confirm current thresholds at LifelineSupport.org):
– Household income at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines, or
– Someone in the household participates in SNAP, Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Federal Public Housing Assistance, Veterans Pension or Survivors Benefit, or certain Tribal-specific programs (Tribal TANF, Head Start, Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance)
How to apply:
1. Go to the National Verifier at LifelineSupport.org
2. Submit proof of eligibility (benefit award letter, tax return, or pay stubs)
3. Once approved, pick a participating phone or internet provider in your state
4. The discount applies directly to your bill — you don’t get a check
Not every provider offers Lifeline. Use the company search tool on LifelineSupport.org to find participating carriers in your ZIP code, since it varies by state.
Low-Cost Internet Plans From Major Providers
Even without ACP, several large ISPs run their own low-income internet programs, separate from Lifeline. These are usually available to households that receive SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, school lunch program benefits, or federal housing assistance. Prices and terms change, so confirm current numbers on each provider’s own site before signing up.
| Program | Typical Price (verify current rate) | Speed | Basic Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xfinity Internet Essentials (Comcast) | $14.95/month (Internet Essentials Plus $29.95/month) | Up to 75 Mbps (100 Mbps on Plus) | Household income-qualified or participates in a qualifying assistance program |
| Spectrum Internet Assist (Charter) | $25/month, or as low as $15/month for households that qualify for an added discount | Up to 50 Mbps (100 Mbps upgrade available) | National School Lunch Program, NSLP Community Eligibility Provision, or Supplemental Security Income |
| AT&T Access | Varies by market; check AT&T’s site | 10–100+ Mbps depending on area | SNAP or SSI participation in eligible areas |
| Verizon Forward | Up to $30/month off eligible Fios and 5G Home plans; can be combined with the Lifeline discount | Varies by Fios/5G Home availability | Households that received Lifeline, SNAP, WIC, or other qualifying benefits within the past 180 days, or a Federal Pell Grant in the past year |
| Cox Connect2Compete | Around $9.95/month | Up to 50 Mbps | Household with a K-12 student and participation in a qualifying program |
| T-Mobile Project 10Million | Free or low-cost hotspot data | N/A (mobile hotspot) | Households with school-age children eligible for free/reduced lunch |
Availability depends on whether that provider serves your address and whether your state participates in a given plan, so call the provider or check their eligibility page directly rather than assuming coverage.
State and Local Programs
A few states run their own broadband subsidy programs on top of Lifeline, funded through state broadband offices. These vary widely — some offer device vouchers, others offer bill credits for specific ISPs. Your state’s broadband office (search “[your state] broadband office” or check BroadbandUSA at NTIA.gov) will have current listings, since there’s no single national database that stays accurate for all 50 states.
Public libraries are also worth checking. Many now lend Wi-Fi hotspots for free, and some partner with local ISPs on discounted home internet referrals for library card holders.
Nonprofit and Community Resources
- EveryoneOn (everyoneon.org): A nonprofit that maintains a searchable database of low-cost internet offers by ZIP code, including Lifeline-eligible plans and refurbished computer programs.
- PCs for People: Provides low-cost refurbished computers and, in some service areas, low-cost internet to income-qualified households.
- Digitunity: Connects individuals with device donation programs nationwide.
- School district technology offices: Many districts still maintain hotspot-lending or internet-subsidy partnerships left over from pandemic-era Emergency Connectivity Fund grants, worth asking about directly.
None of these replace the dollar-for-dollar reach that ACP had, but combined with Lifeline and a provider’s own low-income plan, they can meaningfully cut your monthly bill.
How to Apply, Step by Step
- Check your eligibility for Lifeline first. It’s the most reliable, longest-standing federal option. Go to LifelineSupport.org and use the National Verifier.
- Gather proof documents — SNAP/Medicaid award letter, SSI benefit letter, or last year’s tax return showing income at or below 135% of the federal poverty line.
- Search for participating providers in your ZIP code using the Lifeline company locator.
- Separately, check if your ISP has its own low-income plan (Xfinity, Spectrum, Cox, AT&T, Verizon). These sometimes stack with Lifeline for an even lower final bill.
- Ask about a device. Some Lifeline providers and nonprofits like PCs for People include a low-cost laptop or tablet with enrollment.
- Reapply annually. Lifeline and most ISP low-income plans require yearly recertification to stay enrolled — mark your calendar so you don’t lose the discount.
FAQ
Is the Affordable Connectivity Program coming back in 2026?
Not currently. The FCC stopped issuing ACP discounts in 2024 after Congress did not provide additional funding, and no replacement program has been enacted as of this writing. Check FCC.gov for updates, and be skeptical of texts or calls claiming to “re-enroll” you in ACP — those are common scam tactics.
Can I get both Lifeline and my ISP’s low-income plan at the same time?
Sometimes, yes. Some providers, like Verizon Forward, are designed to stack with the Lifeline discount, lowering your bill further. Others treat their low-income plan as a standalone offer. Ask the provider directly when you enroll, since combination rules vary by company.
What if my income changed and I’m not sure I still qualify?
Eligibility for Lifeline is based on current household income (at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines) or current participation in a qualifying program like SNAP or Medicaid. If your circumstances changed, use the National Verifier at LifelineSupport.org to check — it will tell you immediately whether you still qualify based on the documents you submit.
Sources
- Federal Communications Commission — fcc.gov
- Lifeline Support (Universal Service Administrative Company) — lifelinesupport.org
- USAC — usac.org
- EveryoneOn — everyoneon.org
- NTIA BroadbandUSA — ntia.gov
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