ACP Funds Will Expire By the End of May. These Low-Income Options Can Help (2024)

While Congress has been making last-ditch efforts this month to extend the Affordable Connectivity Program, most recipients of the federal broadband benefit have already seen their discounts dwindle from $30 to $14 in May. Even if an extension is passed, there will likely be a gap period during which the ACP's 23 million low-income subscribers won't get any help on their internet bills at all.

Nearly half of ACP subscribers have been military families, according to a White House fact sheet. Older Americans, African Americans and Latinos have also relied on the ACP at higher rates.

"It's been the difference between choosing to have a roof over my head, whether to eat or whether to pay for the internet, which has things like virtual appointments with my psychiatrist," Kenneth Sigler, a small-business owner from Hernando, Mississippi, who uses the ACP, told CNET. "It basically helps me to keep from having to choose what bills I'm going to pay."

There is some hope that the program will be extended eventually -- President Joe Biden called on lawmakers to extend it in April, and several senators have continued to advocate for an extension -- but for now, ACP subscribers will have to prepare for a world without the subsidy.

There’s no one resource that can replace the $14.2 billion ACP, but there are a variety of local and state subsidies, nonprofits and discounted plans from providers that can help ease the transition.

Locating local internet providers

Lifeline

Lifeline is a federal subsidy that provides $9.25 per month to low-income households for home internet or cellphone plans. Its eligibility requirements are a little stricter than those of the ACP. Your income must be 135% or less than the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or $40,500 for a family of four.

Lifeline income requirements

Household size48 contiguous states, DC and territoriesAlaskaHawaii
1 $19,683$24,584$22,640
2 $26,622$33,264$30,618
3 $33,561$41,945$38,597
4 $40,500$50,625$46,575
5 $47,439$59,306$54,554
6 $54,378$67,986$62,532
7 $61,317$76,667$70,511
8 $68,256$85,347$78,489
For each additional person, add: $6,939$8,681$7,979

Show more (4 items)

You can also get Lifeline if you (or someone who lives with you) participates in any of the following programs:

  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly known as Food Stamps)
  • Medicaid
  • Supplemental Security Income, or SSI
  • Federal Public Housing Assistance, or FPHA
  • Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit

If you live in California, Oregon or Texas, you must check with your internet provider or visit your state's website to apply for the program.

Read more: The FCC Votes to Restore Net Neutrality. Here's What It Could Mean for You

State and local resources

Some states and cities across the country offer their own local versions of the ACP to help low-income households pay for internet. California, for example, has a website that allows you to search affordable options in your ZIP code based on various eligibility criteria, and Oregon provides an enhanced Lifeline benefit of $19.25 monthly.

Cities like Chicago offer free internet to families in Chicago public schools and eligible city colleges through its Chicago Connected program. The best way for you to find these resources is by going to Google and searching for "[location] internet resources."

You can also check to see how your state is using the $2.75 billion allocated in the Digital Equity Act to help close the digital divide.

Low-income programs from internet providers

Many internet providers have their own discounted plans available for low-income households, including , Spectrum and Xfinity. Requirements vary, but they're usually similar to the ACP: one must meet certain income requirements or participate in a federal program like SNAP or the National School Lunch Program.

Internet provider discounts

ProgramMonthly priceMaximum speed
Access from AT&T $30100Mbps
Astound Internet First $1050Mbps
Cox Connect2Compete (for families) $10100Mbps
Cox ConnectAssist (for individuals) $30100Mbps
Mediacom Connect2Compete (for families) $1025Mbps
Optimum Advantage $1550Mbps
Spectrum Internet Assist $2550Mbps
Verizon Forward $20-$8150-2,000Mbps
WOW! Internet Select 50 (for families) $1050Mbps
Xfinity Internet Essentials $1050Mbps

Show more (5 items)

To determine which providers are available in your area, enter your address on the Federal Communication Commission's broadband map.

Nonprofit organizations

There are a number of nonprofits around the country with the goal of closing the digital divide. Some help with monthly internet costs, while others provide devices that connect you to the internet. These organizations all received nonprofit status from the IRS and were vetted by watchdogs like Charity Navigator and Guidestar.org:

  • Connect All: Part of the InterConnection nonprofit, Connect All provides refurbished computers to low-income users. Eligibility requirements are similar to those of the ACP: Participation in federal programs like SNAP or SSI will automatically qualify you for devices.
  • EveryoneOn: EveryoneOn is one of the most wide-ranging internet nonprofits out there. You can use its locator tool to find low-cost plans and computers in your area, enroll in digital skills courses and find local events that distribute devices.
  • Human-I-T: This nonprofit accepts donations from corporations, refurbishes the devices and sells them at a discount to veterans, low-income households, seniors and other groups that qualify. It also offers low-cost internet through its mobile hotspot devices for less than $30 per month.
  • Internet for All Now: This is an initiative of the nonprofit California Emerging Technology Fund that helps Californians find low-cost plans in their area. People in California can call and speak with a trained expert, but the website has resources that anyone in the country can use.
  • National Digital Inclusion Alliance: The NDIA is a well-known hub for research and policy aiming to close the digital divide, and while it doesn't offer low-cost internet itself, it's a helpful resource for navigating what's out there. You can also use this map of NDIA affiliates providing broadband adoption services to see what's available in your area.

Explore other internet plans in your area

If your bill's going up dramatically with the end of the ACP, another option is to search for other internet providers in your area. Most ISPs offer plans under $50 monthly, and you can often find additional discounts for things like bundling with a cellphone plan or signing an annual contract.

Purchasing your own equipment can also save you some extra money each month. It usually costs around $15 to rent a modem and router from your internet provider, while you can buy your own for as little as $100, especially if you go with refurbished equipment. That said, you'll need to ensure your modem is compatible with your provider before you purchase.

More broadband news on CNET

  • $90 Billion vs. the Digital Divide: Is It Enough to Fix Internet Access in the US?
  • Internet Aid Cut: How the Loss of FCC's ACP May Worsen the Mental Health Crisis
  • Broadband 'Nutrition Labels' Could Make It Easier to Shop for Internet Service
ACP Funds Will Expire By the End of May. These Low-Income Options Can Help (2024)

FAQs

Will the Affordable Connectivity Program expire? ›

The program stopped accepting applications February 7, 2024. On April 9, 2024, the FCC announced reduced maximum reimbursements for May 2024, the final month of the program (Table 1).

Will the ACP program end in 2024? ›

As a result, effective June 1, 2024, the ACP has ended for now and the 23 million households enrolled in the ACP will no longer receive an ACP discount as they have in prior months. Below are answers to frequently asked questions about the ACP ending.

Is ACP officially ending? ›

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) stopped taking new applications and enrollments for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) in early February 2024. The program allows qualifying low-income households to get $30 per month, and trial communities up to $75 per month for internet plans.

Is ACP ending for everyone? ›

What should ACP households expect? All households enrolled in the ACP will continue to receive the benefit on their internet service until ACP funding, which is currently projected through April 2024, runs out.

Why did I lose my ACP benefits? ›

The ACP is expected to run out of funding in April 2024 unless Congress approves additional funding. Current ACP recipients will likely lose their discount after April. If you are not yet receiving the ACP benefit, apply as soon as possible to take advantage of the program before enrollment closes.

What is the latest news about the Affordable Connectivity Program? ›

The Affordable Connectivity Program, which helped low-income Americans get online, is no more.

What program is replacing ACP? ›

Lifeline. Lifeline is a federal subsidy that provides $9.25 per month to low-income households for home internet or cellphone plans. Its eligibility requirements are a little stricter than those of the ACP. Your income must be 135% or less than the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or $40,500 for a family of four.

How long does an ACP last? ›

Given that the pandemic persisted, 2021 was dedicated to creating a new program that could last longer. Once the bill passed, the ACP was created with $14 billion, scalign to over 13 million households in the country. According to estimates, the projected end date for this program will be between 2026 and 2028.

What to do after ACP ends? ›

Once the ACP ends, you'll lose the monthly internet discount. Here's what you can do:
  1. Help urge Congress to continue funding by contacting your local House Representative and Senator.
  2. Talk to your internet provider about how this change affects your bill and ask about other affordable plans.
Feb 7, 2024

Is the ACP ending in May? ›

ACP ended on May 31, 2024. Congress could pass legislation to renew the program, but we will have a gap beginning June 1, 2024 for ACP-eligible households.

How much money is left in the ACP program? ›

EBB & ACP Funding Summary
ACP & EBB Appropriation (Total Program Funding)*$17,052,200,000
Total ACP Support Claimed: May 2024$205,903,375
Total Funding Allocated for ACP Outreach***$100,000,000
Total Funding Allocated for Broadband Mapping****$10,000,000
Remaining Appropriations Available for Disbursement$249,077,115
29 more rows

Does ACP give you a laptop? ›

The organization offers free laptops, digital skills training, and affordable internet through the ACP to low-income families, seniors, and individuals with disabilities.

Is the ACP program ending in 2024? ›

Due to a lack of additional funding from Congress, the Affordable Connectivity Program has ended for now. Effective June 1, 2024, households will no longer receive an ACP discount.

Has the ACP program expired? ›

As of today, May 31st, 2024, the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) has officially expired. The month of May was already a partial benefit month, so many of the folks you serve may have already been without the benefit for a few weeks. But after today, no one will benefit from the program for the foreseeable future.

Is ACP going to be renewed? ›

Effective June 1, 2024, households will no longer receive an ACP discount. ACP enrolled households are strongly encouraged to carefully review written notices from their internet company and from the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), the ACP administrator, about the ACP wind-down.

Will there be another program like ACP? ›

One option is the FCC Lifeline program. The Lifeline program works similar to the ACP program but has stricter requirement for participation and has a small benefit to the household for covering the cost of internet.

Is Lifeline ending in 2024? ›

The federal ACP no longer accepts applications. ACP will run through April 2024. If you need more information on the ACP Wind-Down, please visit https://www.fcc.gov/acp-consumer-outreach-toolkit.

What is replacing ACP? ›

Lifeline. Lifeline is a federal subsidy that provides $9.25 per month to low-income households for home internet or cellphone plans. Its eligibility requirements are a little stricter than those of the ACP. Your income must be 135% or less than the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or $40,500 for a family of four.

How long will an Affordable Connectivity Program last on Spectrum? ›

The last fully-funded month of the Affordable Connectivity Program was April 2024. Partial credits were extended through the month of May. ACP internet credits will no longer appear on your bill. Any other promotional discounts you currently receive will continue until the promotion ends.

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