What Is the Affordable Connectivity Program?

The ACP's funding is expected to run out at the end of April 2024, after which "enrolled households will no longer receive the program discounts," according to the FCC.

Unless Congress approves funds to sustain the Affordable Connectivity Program, former users will see their monthly internet bills go up. As the FCC states, "After the ACP ends, you will no longer get the monthly internet discount." Contact your current internet provider for more information about how the end of the ACP will affect your internet bill.

The best way to keep the ACP alive is to call your Congressional representative and tell them to support the Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act. This bipartisan bill will give $7 billion in short-term funding to the ACP program from the Treasury Department. 

Many government officials oppose ending the ACP. "Access to high-speed internet isn't a luxury anymore; it's a necessity," states Vermont Senator Peter Welch, a co-sponsor of the bill. "That's why it's never been so important to avoid this funding cliff and extend the ACP.

Even internet executives are concerned about the program's end. Google Fiber stated that "access to ACP is the difference between a family choosing to sign up for the internet or having no access at all."

Thankfully, the ACP isn't the only way to get affordable internet. There are a couple more options for government-supported programs, plus most internet providers offer discounts for seniors, students, veterans and active military. For example, AT&T Fiber offers the best military discount, giving $15 off your monthly internet bill. We also have a few tips on how to lower your internet bill, like switching to a slower speed or bundling your internet.

Qualifying households can use other government programs available, like the FCC's Lifeline Support program, which gets users up to $9.25 off internet services. Or if you live on Tribal lands, you can get up to $34.25 per month for your internet bill with the FCC's Enhanced Lifeline Benefits for Tribal Lands.

At least one person in your household needs to meet certain requirements in order to qualify for any low-cost internet assistance.

You can qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program if your income is 200% or less than federal poverty guidelines and at least one person in your household meets these requirements:

• Resides on Tribal lands and participates in Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Head Start, Tribal Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF), or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
• Participates in the free and reduced-price school lunch or school breakfast program (including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision)
• Participates in one of the following federal programs: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (formerly known as Food Stamps), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Medicaid, Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA), or Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
• Received a Federal Pell Grant in the current award year
• Is enrolled in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

You also need to be in an area with a participating internet service provider. We list those providers a little farther down, but you can check what ISPs are available near you in the meantime.

The Affordable Connectivity Program provides up to $30 toward an eligible household’s monthly internet bill—or up to $75 for those living on Tribal lands. You can apply your subsidy to any internet plan if your provider participates in the Affordable Connectivity Program. For example, with Xfinity's Internet Essentials plan, veterans get discounted internet service for sometimes less than $10 a month.

Eligible households can also receive up to $100 toward one laptop, desktop computer, or tablet purchased through their internet provider. But you must pay at least $10–$50 for the device to receive the discount.

It’s important to note that the $30, $75, or $100 subsidies aren’t paid directly to you. Instead, they go to your internet provider, which should discount your service or the cost of the device you purchase. That also means that if your internet plan costs less than $30 or $75 a month, you won't be able to pocket the extra money.

Also, each eligible household gets only one monthly discount on their internet service and only one device discount.

As it stands, the Affordable Connectivity Program is expected to run out of funds in April. However, if Congress votes to approve more funding and revive the program, your benefits will last as long as the program is funded.

More than 300 different internet providers are participating in the Affordable Connectivity Program.

The approved providers differ by state, and you can check out which providers are participating in your state on the FCC's site or with the USAC's Companies Near Me tool.

Here are some of the bigger service providers participating in the ACP:

Here are some other, smaller providers participating in the ACP in some way.

We consider these the top offers you can get through ACP.

And while it seems like most providers aren't offering connected devices, non-profits human-I-T and PCs for People are offering to help get your hands on connected devices. Both were listed as Emergency Broadband Benefit Program participants, so we expect they'll continue to participate in the Affordable Connectivity Program.