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CNET
17 hours ago
- Business
- CNET
What Is the Lifeline Program? Find Out if You Qualify for Discounts on Your Home Internet Bill
Finding low-cost internet is becoming increasingly more difficult with rising prices and decreased support for low-income families. The Affordable Connectivity Program was shuttered in June 2024, leaving 23 million Americans without a low-cost internet option, over half of whom were veterans. The ACP, which offered a sizable credit of $30 to $75 for home internet costs, effectively helped bridge the gap in internet connectivity in its two-and-a-half years of operation. Congress has yet to pass a comparable program or a low-cost requirement for ISPs (except for our friends in New York State), but households looking to save may still have more than one option to help ease the costs of monthly internet bills. Lifeline, a federal government program initially created to make phone service affordable, is one such viable option. What is the Lifeline program? Lifeline began in 1985 to make phone service more affordable for low-income families. It provides a monthly benefit of $9.25 to offset those costs, while eligible individuals and families on tribal lands may receive up to $34.25. While Lifeline still covers traditional landline and wireless plans, the program was expanded in 2016 to include home broadband service. A home internet discount can help you stay tethered to job prospects, schooling opportunities, family services and emergency care. While the Lifeline program is available to consumers nationwide, eligibility is limited to low-income families and individuals. CNET can walk you through what you need to know to determine if you qualify. Qualifying for Lifeline can open the door for further discounts offered by internet providers or your state, but we'll get into that later. Let's explore the specific eligibility requirements for Lifeline and how you can apply today. Locating local internet providers Am I eligible for Lifeline? Lifeline is available across the US, but not everyone can benefit. Lifeline was intended to assist low-income households and individuals in staying connected to school, work, play, utilities, health care and other social services. To participate, at least one household member must meet the program requirements. You may be eligible if anyone in your home currently participates in the following government assistance plans: Federal Public Housing Assistance Medicaid Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Supplemental Security Income Tribal-specific programs (Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations and Head Start) Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit Programs Even if you do not participate in any of the above programs, you might also be eligible for Lifeline based on your income. It's worth noting that your household will qualify if your income is less than or equal to 135% of the 2025 Federal Poverty Guidelines as seen below. James Martin/CNET Lifeline program qualification: Total income No. of people in the household (48 states and Washington DC) (Alaska) (Hawaii) 1 $21,128 $26,393 $24,287 2 $28,553 $35,681 $32,832 3 $35,978 $44,969 $41,378 4 $43,403 $54,257 $49,923 5 $50,828 $63,545 $58,469 6 $58,253 $72,833 $67,014 7 $65,678 $82,121 $75,560 8 $73,103 $91,409 $84,105 Show more (3 items) Shop providers at my address Once you get over eight people, add $5,500 to the last amount listed for each additional individual. Also, the numbers are slightly higher for folks living in Alaska and Hawaii, as you can see above. In Alaska, you should add $6,880 to the final amount listed for each individual beyond eight. Consumers living in Hawaii should add $6,330 for each individual beyond eight. What paperwork or documents do I need? Whether you sign up online or complete your application process by mail, you'll need to gather several documents to help verify your eligibility. In almost all cases, you'll need statements dated within the past 12 months. Acceptable documentation includes (but isn't limited to): Proof of income (some options are a current pay stub, a Social Security statement of benefits or a tax return). Note: If the paperwork does not cover a full income year, it must reflect three consecutive months. Proof of program participation (including a notice letter of participation or statement of benefits). In some cases, you may need to send additional documentation showing proof of identity (Social Security number, driver's license, W-2, etc.). Keep these documents and make copies to send. The complete list of acceptable documents is available online via the Lifeline Support Center. How do I apply for Lifeline? For the most part, you can apply for Lifeline broadband benefits online through the Lifeline National Verifier, an application system set up by the Federal Communications Commission and run by the Universal Service Administrative Company. You can go to the site, enter your name, address and identifying information and begin the process of qualifying for benefits. The two exceptions are Oregon and Texas. Applicants from those regions must go through their states' specific application you prefer, you can also choose to apply by mail. You will need to print out an application (a PDF is available on the USAC site), complete it and send copies (make sure you keep all your original paperwork -- send duplicates only) of all required documents to USAC, Lifeline Support Center, PO Box 1000, Horseheads, NY 14845. You can also request that an application be mailed to you. To do so, either email LifelineSupport@ or call Lifeline at 800-234-9473. Once you start your application for Lifeline, you have 45 days to complete the process. Additionally, once you qualify for Lifeline, you'll have 90 days to either sign up for service with an internet company or apply your Lifeline benefit to your current broadband provider. What other programs can I use? You've just been accepted for Lifeline and now get the $9.25 benefit on your internet service, which is excellent. Many internet service providers can offer additional low-cost plans to eligible customers, but you'll have to enter your details to see if you qualify. Here are just a few of the ISPs that offer discounted internet service: This is not an exhaustive list of all providers that offer cheap residential broadband. Check out CNET's state-by-state low-income internet guide to find out what affordable internet programs are available in your area. With the ACP over, head to your state to check out what low-income options are available for your can also check out our best internet deals for seniors and best student internet discounts. Any other things to consider? There is only one Lifeline benefit permitted per household. If you choose to use the discount on your home internet, you cannot get an additional discount on phone service. You must choose one or the other. Also, eligible people must recertify their eligibility yearly to continue receiving the Lifeline discount. Failure to do so will result in the subscriber getting disqualified for further assistance until eligibility has been reestablished. You can switch your internet provider whenever you choose, but you'll also have to reapply for the benefit. If you have questions regarding the Lifeline program, you can email LifelineSupport@ or call the Lifeline Support Center at 800-234-9473. Lifeline FAQs What is the Lifeline program? The Lifeline program was established in 1985 and is geared toward low-income households. Lifeline offers monthly discounts for phone and home internet services. Eligible individuals may receive a monthly credit of $9.25 for their internet and those who reside on tribal lands may receive up to $34.25. You can apply for Lifeline's broadband benefits through its online application form, the Lifeline National Verifier. Another option would be to print out an application and mail it along with your other documents to USAC, Lifeline Support Center, PO Box 7081, London, KY 40742. Is the Lifeline program ending? Although the Affordable Connectivity Program ended in May 2024, the Lifeline program is still running. It's been available since 1985, and though there have been many cuts and layoffs in the federal government lately, there are no current indications that Lifeline is in peril. Did Lifeline start during the COVID-19 pandemic? No, Lifeline has been around since 1985. It first started as a means to get affordable phone service to low-income families. Home internet service began to be included when the program's scope was expanded in 2016. The coronavirus pandemic helped bring the program to greater light, but it existed well before that time. Can anyone participate in Lifeline? While Lifeline is available in all 50 states, it is aimed toward helping low-income families and individuals. Not everyone will be able to sign up. To qualify for Lifeline, you must meet the eligibility requirements, which range from participation in specific government assistance programs to a household income less than or equal to 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
CNET
08-06-2025
- Business
- CNET
Guide to Low-Income Internet for All 50 States
A recent CNET survey found that 63% of Americans paid more for home internet last year than the previous year. Meanwhile, the Affordable Connectivity Program came to a halt in 2024, leaving 23 million households without a suitable alternative to low-income internet accessibility. Many households were in rural areas with limited internet options and nearly half were military families. In the wake of the loss of the ACP, many internet service providers, including CenturyLink, Google Fiber and Quantum Fiber, returned ACP customers to standard rates. How to apply for low-income internet On the other hand, some ISPs chose to include low-cost plans with slower speeds (think 50 megabits per second) for discounted rates and a handful of ISPs, like Kinetic by Windstream, are continuing the $30 monthly discount for eligible households. Although there is yet to be an affordable internet replacement program, you still have one or two options for a monthly discount on home internet. The federal Lifeline program doesn't offer the same substantial discount but it can be helpful with affording home internet. It provides a $9.25-per-month broadband benefit for eligible households or up to $34.25 for homes on tribal lands. In some cases, you may also qualify for service from nonprofit PCs for People, which offers a widespread, affordable internet program that starts at $15 per month for access to T-Mobile's 4G LTE network with the purchase of a mobile hotspot. You must provide documentation of enrollment in a government assistance program or proof of income eligibility. Additionally, T-Mobile's Project 10Million strives to get low-income students online with a free 100GB of hotspot internet per year. Locating local internet providers Your search for affordable internet in a post-ACP world starts with your existing ISP. Look for communications about options and then compare with offers from other providers that service your address. You can find what's available by entering your address on the Federal Communications Commission's broadband map. Best low-income internet options by state Find your state to explore affordable internet options that may be available in your area. Some ISPs require an eligibility check for their low-income plans so gather your proof of income and documentation for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the National School Lunch Program, Supplemental Security Income or other assistance programs. Some of the programs compiled here have end dates and specific requirements. Reach out to your ISP for full information on serviceability, eligibility and qualifying for low-cost internet programs. Low-income internet options in Alabama Access from AT&T : AT&T's low-income program provides speeds up to 100Mbps to qualifying households. It covers AT&T's fiber network and its legacy DSL network. The program costs $30 per month and includes equipment. There are no data caps. To qualify, you must be eligible for SNAP or NSLP or have a household income below 200% of federal poverty guidelines. If you can get only DSL, and your maximum available speed is 10Mbps or less, then you may be able to get Access by AT&T for $10 per month with a data cap. : AT&T's low-income program provides speeds up to 100Mbps to qualifying households. It covers AT&T's fiber network and its legacy DSL network. The program costs $30 per month and includes equipment. There are no data caps. To qualify, you must be eligible for SNAP or NSLP or have a household income below 200% of federal poverty guidelines. If you can get only DSL, and your maximum available speed is 10Mbps or less, then you may be able to get Access by AT&T for $10 per month with a data cap. Human-I-T Franklin T10 Hotspot : Everyone who already qualified for the ACP automatically qualifies for this offer of unlimited 4G LTE internet access for $15 monthly. You may have to show proof of income eligibility or participation in a government assistance program. Note that the hotspot device itself costs $73 upfront. : Everyone who already qualified for the ACP automatically qualifies for this offer of unlimited 4G LTE internet access for $15 monthly. You may have to show proof of income eligibility or participation in a government assistance program. Note that the hotspot device itself costs $73 upfront. Kinetic by Windstream Benefit Credit : Kinetic by Windstream's ACP customers will continue to receive a Kinetic Benefit Credit that matches the previous federal subsidy. As long as you continue to meet the eligibility standards set by the ACP, you'll receive the credit. : Kinetic by Windstream's ACP customers will continue to receive a Kinetic Benefit Credit that matches the previous federal subsidy. As long as you continue to meet the eligibility standards set by the ACP, you'll receive the credit. Mediacom Xtream Connect : Get up to 100Mbps cable download speeds with Mediacom's Xtream Connect program for qualified low-income households. The $29 monthly fee includes a $14-per-month modem rental. Homes with at least one child in the NSLP can get the modem rental waived. You can also choose to provide your own equipment and save on the modem fee. There are no contracts or installation fees. : Get up to 100Mbps cable download speeds with Mediacom's Xtream Connect program for qualified low-income households. The $29 monthly fee includes a $14-per-month modem rental. Homes with at least one child in the NSLP can get the modem rental waived. You can also choose to provide your own equipment and save on the modem fee. There are no contracts or installation fees. Spectrum Internet Assist : Spectrum's $25-per-month 50Mbps plan for low-income households comes with a free modem and has no data caps or contracts. You can add Wi-Fi for an additional $5 per month. You must be a new customer and a recipient of a qualifying government assistance program like the NSLP or SSI (for applicants older than 65). : Spectrum's $25-per-month 50Mbps plan for low-income households comes with a free modem and has no data caps or contracts. You can add Wi-Fi for an additional $5 per month. You must be a new customer and a recipient of a qualifying government assistance program like the NSLP or SSI (for applicants older than 65). TDS Connect : The TDS Connect program is aimed at low-income households that participated in the ACP. It delivers up to 200Mbps service for $30 per month with a Wi-Fi modem, 24/7 tech support and no required contracts. : The TDS Connect program is aimed at low-income households that participated in the ACP. It delivers up to 200Mbps service for $30 per month with a Wi-Fi modem, 24/7 tech support and no required contracts. Verizon Forward : Verizon Forward offers a discount up to $30 per month for 5G Home or LTE Home Internet plans. You must be qualified for an eligible assistance program like SNAP. Verizon Forward can be combined with other discounts, including Lifeline and military discounts, which can bring your home internet down as low as $20 per month. : Verizon Forward offers a discount up to $30 per month for 5G Home or LTE Home Internet plans. You must be qualified for an eligible assistance program like SNAP. Verizon Forward can be combined with other discounts, including Lifeline and military discounts, which can bring your home internet down as low as $20 per month. Xfinity Internet Essentials: Xfinity's Internet Essentials plan for low-income households is $15 per month with equipment included. Expect speeds between 75Mbps and 100Mbps. Xfinity offers this as an option for ACP enrollees or customers who participate in an assistance program like Medicaid or SNAP. Internet Essentials also includes access to Xfinity Wi-Fi public hotspots. Low-income internet options in Alaska GCI Lifeline with Data : Lifeline-eligible GCI customers may qualify for a $1-per-month mobile program that includes 12GB of data. : Lifeline-eligible GCI customers may qualify for a $1-per-month mobile program that includes 12GB of data. Human-I-T Franklin T10 Hotspot : Everyone who already qualified for the ACP automatically qualifies for this offer of unlimited 4G LTE internet access for $15 monthly. : Everyone who already qualified for the ACP automatically qualifies for this offer of unlimited 4G LTE internet access for $15 monthly. Lifeline : The Lifeline program is available across the US. It offers a discount of $9.25 to most qualified residents but Alaska is an exception. The entire state is considered tribal lands so the Lifeline benefit in Alaska is $34.25 per month. Alaska Communications plans, for example, start at $80 per month, so the Lifeline benefit can cut that cost in half. : The Lifeline program is available across the US. It offers a discount of $9.25 to most qualified residents but Alaska is an exception. The entire state is considered tribal lands so the Lifeline benefit in Alaska is $34.25 per month. Alaska Communications plans, for example, start at $80 per month, so the Lifeline benefit can cut that cost in half. SpitWSpots Keep Alaska Connected: Eligible Alaskans can qualify for free 10Mbps internet service through wireless ISP SpitWSpots around the Homer and Soldotna area. Low-income internet options in Arizona Access from AT&T : AT&T's low-income program provides speeds up to 100Mbps to qualifying households. It covers AT&T's fiber network and its legacy DSL network. The program costs $30 per month and includes equipment. There are no data caps. To qualify, you must be eligible for SNAP or NSLP or have a household income below 200% of federal poverty guidelines. If you can get only DSL, and your maximum available speed is 10Mbps or less, then you may be able to get Access by AT&T for $10 per month with a data cap. : AT&T's low-income program provides speeds up to 100Mbps to qualifying households. It covers AT&T's fiber network and its legacy DSL network. The program costs $30 per month and includes equipment. There are no data caps. To qualify, you must be eligible for SNAP or NSLP or have a household income below 200% of federal poverty guidelines. If you can get only DSL, and your maximum available speed is 10Mbps or less, then you may be able to get Access by AT&T for $10 per month with a data cap. Connect Arizona : Connect Arizona is a resource led by the Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records. It maintains a list of internet offers and discounts available throughout the state. Browse through providers, speeds, prices and Lifeline eligibility to find a plan that fits your budget. Digital navigators provide one-on-one phone support. Connect Arizona also provides a map of free Wi-Fi locations. : Connect Arizona is a resource led by the Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records. It maintains a list of internet offers and discounts available throughout the state. Browse through providers, speeds, prices and Lifeline eligibility to find a plan that fits your budget. Digital navigators provide one-on-one phone support. Connect Arizona also provides a map of free Wi-Fi locations. Cox ConnectAssist and Connect2Compete : ConnectAssist offers up to 100Mbps download speeds along with free equipment for $30 per month to households that qualify for at least one government assistance program. Connect2Compete is a plan with the same speeds for $10 per month for families with at least one student from kindergarten to high school age and at least one government assistance program. Cox may require documentation for an eligibility check. : ConnectAssist offers up to 100Mbps download speeds along with free equipment for $30 per month to households that qualify for at least one government assistance program. Connect2Compete is a plan with the same speeds for $10 per month for families with at least one student from kindergarten to high school age and at least one government assistance program. Cox may require documentation for an eligibility check. Human-I-T Franklin T10 Hotspot : Everyone who already qualified for the ACP automatically qualifies for this offer of unlimited 4G LTE internet access for $15 monthly. Note that the hotspot device itself costs $73 upfront. : Everyone who already qualified for the ACP automatically qualifies for this offer of unlimited 4G LTE internet access for $15 monthly. Note that the hotspot device itself costs $73 upfront. Mediacom Xtream Connect : Get up to 100Mbps cable download speeds with Mediacom's Xtream Connect program for qualified low-income households. The $29 monthly fee includes a $14-per-month modem rental. Homes with at least one child in the NSLP can get the modem rental waived. You can also choose to provide your own equipment and save on the modem fee. There are no contracts or installation fees. : Get up to 100Mbps cable download speeds with Mediacom's Xtream Connect program for qualified low-income households. The $29 monthly fee includes a $14-per-month modem rental. Homes with at least one child in the NSLP can get the modem rental waived. You can also choose to provide your own equipment and save on the modem fee. There are no contracts or installation fees. Optimum Advantage Internet : For $15 per month, Optimum Advantage Internet provides speeds up to 50Mbps with no data caps and no contracts. The plan includes a router. Your household must meet criteria that may include participation in the NSLP or eligibility for SSI. It's also available for veterans who receive state or federal public assistance. For more speed, check into Optimum Advantage+ Internet for speeds up to 100Mbps for $25 per month. : For $15 per month, Optimum Advantage Internet provides speeds up to 50Mbps with no data caps and no contracts. The plan includes a router. Your household must meet criteria that may include participation in the NSLP or eligibility for SSI. It's also available for veterans who receive state or federal public assistance. For more speed, check into Optimum Advantage+ Internet for speeds up to 100Mbps for $25 per month. Spectrum Internet Assist : Spectrum's $25-per-month 50Mbps plan for low-income households comes with a free modem and has no data caps or contracts. You can add Wi-Fi for an additional $5 per month. You must be a new customer and a recipient of a qualifying government assistance program like the NSLP or SSI (for applicants older than 65). : Spectrum's $25-per-month 50Mbps plan for low-income households comes with a free modem and has no data caps or contracts. You can add Wi-Fi for an additional $5 per month. You must be a new customer and a recipient of a qualifying government assistance program like the NSLP or SSI (for applicants older than 65). TDS Connect : The TDS Connect program is aimed at low-income households that participated in the ACP. It delivers up to 200Mbps service for $30 per month with a Wi-Fi modem, 24/7 tech support and no required contracts. : The TDS Connect program is aimed at low-income households that participated in the ACP. It delivers up to 200Mbps service for $30 per month with a Wi-Fi modem, 24/7 tech support and no required contracts. Verizon Forward : Verizon Forward offers a discount up to $30 per month for 5G Home or LTE Home Internet plans. You must be qualified for an eligible assistance program like SNAP. Verizon Forward can be combined with other discounts, including Lifeline and military discounts, which can bring your home internet down as low as $20 per month. : Verizon Forward offers a discount up to $30 per month for 5G Home or LTE Home Internet plans. You must be qualified for an eligible assistance program like SNAP. Verizon Forward can be combined with other discounts, including Lifeline and military discounts, which can bring your home internet down as low as $20 per month. Xfinity Internet Essentials: Xfinity's Internet Essentials plan for low-income households is $15 per month with equipment included. Expect speeds between 75Mbps and 100Mbps. Xfinity offers this as an option for ACP enrollees or customers who participate in an assistance program like Medicaid or SNAP. Internet Essentials also includes access to Xfinity Wi-Fi public hotspots. Low-income internet options in Arkansas Access from AT&T : AT&T's low-income program provides speeds up to 100Mbps to qualifying households. It covers AT&T's fiber network and its legacy DSL network. The program costs $30 per month and includes equipment. There are no data caps. To qualify, you must be eligible for SNAP or NSLP or have a household income below 200% of federal poverty guidelines. If you can get only DSL, and your maximum available speed is 10Mbps or less, then you may be able to get Access by AT&T for $10 per month with a data cap. : AT&T's low-income program provides speeds up to 100Mbps to qualifying households. It covers AT&T's fiber network and its legacy DSL network. The program costs $30 per month and includes equipment. There are no data caps. To qualify, you must be eligible for SNAP or NSLP or have a household income below 200% of federal poverty guidelines. If you can get only DSL, and your maximum available speed is 10Mbps or less, then you may be able to get Access by AT&T for $10 per month with a data cap. Cox ConnectAssist and Connect2Compete : ConnectAssist offers up to 100Mbps download speeds along with free equipment for $30 per month to households that qualify for at least one government assistance program. Connect2Compete is a plan with the same speeds for $10 per month for families with at least one student from kindergarten to high school age and at least one government assistance program. Cox may require documentation for an eligibility check. : ConnectAssist offers up to 100Mbps download speeds along with free equipment for $30 per month to households that qualify for at least one government assistance program. Connect2Compete is a plan with the same speeds for $10 per month for families with at least one student from kindergarten to high school age and at least one government assistance program. Cox may require documentation for an eligibility check. Human-I-T Franklin T10 Hotspot : Everyone who already qualified for the ACP automatically qualifies for this offer of unlimited 4G LTE internet access for $15 monthly. : Everyone who already qualified for the ACP automatically qualifies for this offer of unlimited 4G LTE internet access for $15 monthly. Kinetic by Windstream Benefit Credit : Kinetic by Windstream's ACP customers will continue to receive a Kinetic Benefit Credit that matches the previous federal subsidy. As long as you continue to meet the eligibility standards set by the ACP, you'll receive the credit. : Kinetic by Windstream's ACP customers will continue to receive a Kinetic Benefit Credit that matches the previous federal subsidy. As long as you continue to meet the eligibility standards set by the ACP, you'll receive the credit. Optimum Advantage Internet : For $15 per month, Optimum Advantage Internet provides speeds up to 50Mbps with no data caps and no contracts. The plan includes a router. Your household must meet criteria that may include participation in the NSLP or eligibility for SSI. It's also available for veterans who receive state or federal public assistance. For more speed, check into Optimum Advantage+ Internet for speeds up to 100Mbps for $25 per month. : For $15 per month, Optimum Advantage Internet provides speeds up to 50Mbps with no data caps and no contracts. The plan includes a router. Your household must meet criteria that may include participation in the NSLP or eligibility for SSI. It's also available for veterans who receive state or federal public assistance. For more speed, check into Optimum Advantage+ Internet for speeds up to 100Mbps for $25 per month. Verizon Forward : Verizon Forward offers a discount up to $30 per month for 5G Home or LTE Home Internet plans. You must be qualified for an eligible assistance program like SNAP. Verizon Forward can be combined with other discounts, including Lifeline and military discounts, which can bring your home internet down as low as $20 per month. : Verizon Forward offers a discount up to $30 per month for 5G Home or LTE Home Internet plans. You must be qualified for an eligible assistance program like SNAP. Verizon Forward can be combined with other discounts, including Lifeline and military discounts, which can bring your home internet down as low as $20 per month. Xfinity Internet Essentials: Xfinity's Internet Essentials plan for low-income households is $15 per month with equipment included. Expect speeds between 75Mbps and 100Mbps. Xfinity offers this as an option for ACP enrollees or customers who participate in an assistance program like Medicaid or SNAP. Internet Essentials also includes access to Xfinity Wi-Fi public hotspots. The Santa Monica Pier off the coast of CaliforniaLow-income internet options in California Access from AT&T : AT&T's low-income program provides speeds up to 100Mbps to qualifying households. It covers AT&T's fiber network and its legacy DSL network. The program costs $30 per month and includes equipment. There are no data caps. To qualify, you must be eligible for SNAP or NSLP or have a household income below 200% of federal poverty guidelines. California residents on SSI can also qualify. If you can get only DSL, and your maximum available speed is 10Mbps or less, then you may be able to get Access by AT&T for $10 per month with a data cap. : AT&T's low-income program provides speeds up to 100Mbps to qualifying households. It covers AT&T's fiber network and its legacy DSL network. The program costs $30 per month and includes equipment. There are no data caps. To qualify, you must be eligible for SNAP or NSLP or have a household income below 200% of federal poverty guidelines. California residents on SSI can also qualify. If you can get only DSL, and your maximum available speed is 10Mbps or less, then you may be able to get Access by AT&T for $10 per month with a data cap. Astound Internet First : Astound offers two plans through its Internet First program for qualifying low-income households. The 50Mbps plan runs $10 per month and the 150Mbps plan is $20 per month. There are no contracts and equipment is included. New customers can get the first three months free while existing Astound ACP customers can transition to Internet First. : Astound offers two plans through its Internet First program for qualifying low-income households. The 50Mbps plan runs $10 per month and the 150Mbps plan is $20 per month. There are no contracts and equipment is included. New customers can get the first three months free while existing Astound ACP customers can transition to Internet First. California Broadband for All : Broadband for All is a state program aimed at closing the digital divide. To find affordable internet options for your area, enter your ZIP code and check the conditions that apply to your household. : Broadband for All is a state program aimed at closing the digital divide. To find affordable internet options for your area, enter your ZIP code and check the conditions that apply to your household. Cox ConnectAssist and Connect2Compete : ConnectAssist offers up to 100Mbps download speeds along with free equipment for $30 per month to households that qualify for at least one government assistance program. Connect2Compete is a plan with the same speeds for $10 per month for families with at least one student from kindergarten to high school age and at least one government assistance program. Cox may require documentation for an eligibility check. : ConnectAssist offers up to 100Mbps download speeds along with free equipment for $30 per month to households that qualify for at least one government assistance program. Connect2Compete is a plan with the same speeds for $10 per month for families with at least one student from kindergarten to high school age and at least one government assistance program. Cox may require documentation for an eligibility check. Human-I-T California Connectivity Bundle : Human-I-T's bundle includes a Chromebook, a mobile 4G LTE hotspot and three months of internet access for $135. You must participate in an approved government assistance program to qualify. : Human-I-T's bundle includes a Chromebook, a mobile 4G LTE hotspot and three months of internet access for $135. You must participate in an approved government assistance program to qualify. Human-I-T Franklin T10 Hotspot : Everyone who already qualified for the ACP automatically qualifies for this offer of unlimited 4G LTE internet access for $15 monthly. Note that the hotspot device itself costs $73 upfront. : Everyone who already qualified for the ACP automatically qualifies for this offer of unlimited 4G LTE internet access for $15 monthly. Note that the hotspot device itself costs $73 upfront. Los Angeles County Community Broadband Networks : Plans start at $25 per month for low-income residents in South Los Angeles, East Los Angeles and Boyle Heights. Fixed wireless ISP WeLink Communications is the initial partner for the project, which is launching later in 2025. : Plans start at $25 per month for low-income residents in South Los Angeles, East Los Angeles and Boyle Heights. Fixed wireless ISP WeLink Communications is the initial partner for the project, which is launching later in 2025. Mediacom Xtream Connect : Get up to 100Mbps cable download speeds with Mediacom's Xtream Connect program for qualified low-income households. The $29 monthly fee includes a $14-per-month modem rental. Homes with at least one child in the NSLP can get the modem rental waived. You can also choose to provide your own equipment and save on the modem fee. There are no contracts or installation fees. : Get up to 100Mbps cable download speeds with Mediacom's Xtream Connect program for qualified low-income households. The $29 monthly fee includes a $14-per-month modem rental. Homes with at least one child in the NSLP can get the modem rental waived. You can also choose to provide your own equipment and save on the modem fee. There are no contracts or installation fees. Optimum Advantage Internet : For $15 per month, Optimum Advantage Internet provides speeds up to 50Mbps with no data caps and no contracts. The plan includes a router. Your household must meet criteria that may include participation in the NSLP or eligibility for SSI. It's also available for veterans who receive state or federal public assistance. For more speed, check into Optimum Advantage+ Internet for speeds up to 100Mbps for $25 per month. : For $15 per month, Optimum Advantage Internet provides speeds up to 50Mbps with no data caps and no contracts. The plan includes a router. Your household must meet criteria that may include participation in the NSLP or eligibility for SSI. It's also available for veterans who receive state or federal public assistance. For more speed, check into Optimum Advantage+ Internet for speeds up to 100Mbps for $25 per month. Spectrum Internet Assist : Spectrum's $25-per-month 50Mbps plan for low-income households comes with a free modem and has no data caps or contracts. You can add Wi-Fi for an additional $5 per month. You must be a new customer and a recipient of a qualifying government assistance program like the NSLP or SSI (for applicants older than 65). : Spectrum's $25-per-month 50Mbps plan for low-income households comes with a free modem and has no data caps or contracts. You can add Wi-Fi for an additional $5 per month. You must be a new customer and a recipient of a qualifying government assistance program like the NSLP or SSI (for applicants older than 65). Starry Connect : Fixed wireless ISP Starry specializes in providing broadband to multi-unit buildings. Starry Connect is a special plan that costs $15 per month for symmetrical 30Mbps speeds with no data caps or contracts and a no-cost router included. Connect is available to certain public and affordable housing properties in Starry's coverage areas. In California, that includes the Los Angeles metro area. Check your address with Starry to see if it's available in your building. : Fixed wireless ISP Starry specializes in providing broadband to multi-unit buildings. Starry Connect is a special plan that costs $15 per month for symmetrical 30Mbps speeds with no data caps or contracts and a no-cost router included. Connect is available to certain public and affordable housing properties in Starry's coverage areas. In California, that includes the Los Angeles metro area. Check your address with Starry to see if it's available in your building. TDS Connect : The TDS Connect program is aimed at low-income households that participated in the ACP. It delivers up to 200Mbps service for $30 per month with a Wi-Fi modem, 24/7 tech support and no required contracts. : The TDS Connect program is aimed at low-income households that participated in the ACP. It delivers up to 200Mbps service for $30 per month with a Wi-Fi modem, 24/7 tech support and no required contracts. Verizon Forward : Verizon Forward offers a discount up to $30 per month for 5G Home or LTE Home Internet plans. You must be qualified for an eligible assistance program like SNAP. Verizon Forward can be combined with other discounts, including Lifeline and military discounts, which can bring your home internet down as low as $20 per month. : Verizon Forward offers a discount up to $30 per month for 5G Home or LTE Home Internet plans. You must be qualified for an eligible assistance program like SNAP. Verizon Forward can be combined with other discounts, including Lifeline and military discounts, which can bring your home internet down as low as $20 per month. Xfinity Internet Essentials: Xfinity's Internet Essentials plan for low-income households is $15 per month with equipment included. Expect speeds between 75Mbps and 100Mbps. Xfinity offers this as an option for ACP enrollees or customers who participate in an assistance program like Medicaid or SNAP. Internet Essentials also includes access to Xfinity Wi-Fi public hotspots. Low-income internet options in Colorado Human-I-T Franklin T10 Hotspot : Everyone who already qualified for the ACP automatically qualifies for this offer of unlimited 4G LTE internet access for $15 monthly. Note that the hotspot device itself costs $73 upfront. : Everyone who already qualified for the ACP automatically qualifies for this offer of unlimited 4G LTE internet access for $15 monthly. Note that the hotspot device itself costs $73 upfront. Spectrum Internet Assist : Spectrum's $25-per-month 50Mbps plan for low-income households comes with a free modem and has no data caps or contracts. You can add Wi-Fi for an additional $5 per month. You must be a new customer and a recipient of a qualifying government assistance program like the NSLP or SSI (for applicants older than 65). : Spectrum's $25-per-month 50Mbps plan for low-income households comes with a free modem and has no data caps or contracts. You can add Wi-Fi for an additional $5 per month. You must be a new customer and a recipient of a qualifying government assistance program like the NSLP or SSI (for applicants older than 65). Starry Connect : Fixed wireless ISP Starry specializes in providing broadband to multi-unit buildings. Starry Connect is a special plan that costs $15 per month for symmetrical 30Mbps speeds with no data caps or contracts and a no-cost router included. Connect is available to certain public and affordable housing properties in Starry's coverage areas. In Colorado, that's the Denver metro area. Check your address with Starry to see if it's available in your building. : Fixed wireless ISP Starry specializes in providing broadband to multi-unit buildings. Starry Connect is a special plan that costs $15 per month for symmetrical 30Mbps speeds with no data caps or contracts and a no-cost router included. Connect is available to certain public and affordable housing properties in Starry's coverage areas. In Colorado, that's the Denver metro area. Check your address with Starry to see if it's available in your building. TDS Connect : The TDS Connect program is aimed at low-income households that participated in the ACP. It delivers up to 200Mbps service for $30 per month with a Wi-Fi modem, 24/7 tech support and no required contracts. : The TDS Connect program is aimed at low-income households that participated in the ACP. It delivers up to 200Mbps service for $30 per month with a Wi-Fi modem, 24/7 tech support and no required contracts. Verizon Forward : Verizon Forward offers a discount up to $30 per month for 5G Home or LTE Home Internet plans. You must be qualified for an eligible assistance program like SNAP. Verizon Forward can be combined with other discounts, including Lifeline and military discounts, which can bring your home internet down as low as $20 per month. : Verizon Forward offers a discount up to $30 per month for 5G Home or LTE Home Internet plans. You must be qualified for an eligible assistance program like SNAP. Verizon Forward can be combined with other discounts, including Lifeline and military discounts, which can bring your home internet down as low as $20 per month. Xfinity Internet Essentials: Xfinity's Internet Essentials plan for low-income households is $15 per month with equipment included. Expect speeds between 75Mbps and 100Mbps. Xfinity offers this as an option for ACP enrollees or customers who participate in an assistance program like Medicaid or SNAP. Internet Essentials also includes access to Xfinity Wi-Fi public hotspots. Low-income internet options in Connecticut Breezeline Internet Assist : Breezeline's plan for qualified low-income households costs $10 per month for speeds up to 50Mbps and includes a modem. You will qualify if you've already qualified for the ACP or participate in government assistance programs like the NSLP or SNAP. You'll need to contact Breezeline to sign up. : Breezeline's plan for qualified low-income households costs $10 per month for speeds up to 50Mbps and includes a modem. You will qualify if you've already qualified for the ACP or participate in government assistance programs like the NSLP or SNAP. You'll need to contact Breezeline to sign up. Cox ConnectAssist and Connect2Compete : ConnectAssist offers up to 100Mbps download speeds along with free equipment for $30 per month to households that qualify for at least one government assistance program. Connect2Compete is a plan with the same speeds for $10 per month for families with at least one student from kindergarten to high school age and at least one government assistance program. Cox may require documentation for an eligibility check. : ConnectAssist offers up to 100Mbps download speeds along with free equipment for $30 per month to households that qualify for at least one government assistance program. Connect2Compete is a plan with the same speeds for $10 per month for families with at least one student from kindergarten to high school age and at least one government assistance program. Cox may require documentation for an eligibility check. Human-I-T Franklin T10 Hotspot : Everyone who already qualified for the ACP automatically qualifies for this offer of unlimited 4G LTE internet access for $15 monthly. Note that the hotspot device itself costs $73 upfront. : Everyone who already qualified for the ACP automatically qualifies for this offer of unlimited 4G LTE internet access for $15 monthly. Note that the hotspot device itself costs $73 upfront. Optimum Advantage Internet : For $15 per month, Optimum Advantage Internet provides speeds up to 50Mbps with no data caps and no contracts. The plan includes a router. Your household must meet criteria that may include participation in the NSLP or eligibility for SSI. It's also available for veterans who receive state or federal public assistance. For more speed, check into Optimum Advantage+ Internet for speeds up to 100Mbps for $25 per month. : For $15 per month, Optimum Advantage Internet provides speeds up to 50Mbps with no data caps and no contracts. The plan includes a router. Your household must meet criteria that may include participation in the NSLP or eligibility for SSI. It's also available for veterans who receive state or federal public assistance. For more speed, check into Optimum Advantage+ Internet for speeds up to 100Mbps for $25 per month. Spectrum Internet Assist : Spectrum's $25-per-month 50Mbps plan for low-income households comes with a free modem and has no data caps or contracts. You can add Wi-Fi for an additional $5 per month. You must be a new customer and a recipient of a qualifying government assistance program like the NSLP or SSI (for applicants older than 65). : Spectrum's $25-per-month 50Mbps plan for low-income households comes with a free modem and has no data caps or contracts. You can add Wi-Fi for an additional $5 per month. You must be a new customer and a recipient of a qualifying government assistance program like the NSLP or SSI (for applicants older than 65). Verizon Forward : Verizon Forward offers a discount up to $30 per month for 5G Home or LTE Home Internet plans. You must be qualified for an eligible assistance program like SNAP. Verizon Forward can be combined with other discounts, including Lifeline and military discounts, which can bring your home internet down as low as $20 per month. : Verizon Forward offers a discount up to $30 per month for 5G Home or LTE Home Internet plans. You must be qualified for an eligible assistance program like SNAP. Verizon Forward can be combined with other discounts, including Lifeline and military discounts, which can bring your home internet down as low as $20 per month. Xfinity Internet Essentials: Xfinity's Internet Essentials plan for low-income households is $15 per month with equipment included. Expect speeds between 75Mbps and 100Mbps. Xfinity offers this as an option for ACP enrollees or customers who participate in an assistance program like Medicaid or SNAP. Internet Essentials also includes access to Xfinity Wi-Fi public hotspots. Low-income internet options in Delaware Breezeline Internet Assist : Breezeline's plan for qualified low-income households costs $10 per month for speeds up to 50Mbps and includes a modem. You will qualify if you've already qualified for the ACP or participate in government assistance programs like the NSLP or SNAP. You'll need to contact Breezeline to sign up. : Breezeline's plan for qualified low-income households costs $10 per month for speeds up to 50Mbps and includes a modem. You will qualify if you've already qualified for the ACP or participate in government assistance programs like the NSLP or SNAP. You'll need to contact Breezeline to sign up. Human-I-T Franklin T10 Hotspot : Everyone who already qualified for the ACP automatically qualifies for this offer of unlimited 4G LTE internet access for $15 monthly. Note that the hotspot device itself costs $73 upfront. : Everyone who already qualified for the ACP automatically qualifies for this offer of unlimited 4G LTE internet access for $15 monthly. Note that the hotspot device itself costs $73 upfront. Mediacom Xtream Connect : Get up to 100Mbps cable download speeds with Mediacom's Xtream Connect program for qualified low-income households. The $29 monthly fee includes a $14-per-month modem rental. Homes with at least one child in the NSLP can get the modem rental waived. You can also choose to provide your own equipment and save on the modem fee. There are no contracts or installation fees. : Get up to 100Mbps cable download speeds with Mediacom's Xtream Connect program for qualified low-income households. The $29 monthly fee includes a $14-per-month modem rental. Homes with at least one child in the NSLP can get the modem rental waived. You can also choose to provide your own equipment and save on the modem fee. There are no contracts or installation fees. Verizon Forward : Verizon Forward offers a discount up to $30 per month for 5G Home or LTE Home Internet plans. Verizon Fios is available in parts of Delaware and is also eligible for discounts. You must be qualified for an eligible assistance program like SNAP. Verizon Forward can be combined with other discounts, including Lifeline and military discounts, which can bring your home internet down as low as $20 per month. : Verizon Forward offers a discount up to $30 per month for 5G Home or LTE Home Internet plans. Verizon Fios is available in parts of Delaware and is also eligible for discounts. You must be qualified for an eligible assistance program like SNAP. Verizon Forward can be combined with other discounts, including Lifeline and military discounts, which can bring your home internet down as low as $20 per month. Xfinity Internet Essentials: Xfinity's Internet Essentials plan for low-income households is $15 per month with equipment included. Expect speeds between 75Mbps and 100Mbps. Xfinity offers this as an option for ACP enrollees or customers who participate in an assistance program like Medicaid or SNAP. Internet Essentials also includes access to Xfinity Wi-Fi public hotspots. Low-income internet options in Florida Access from AT&T : AT&T's low-income program provides speeds up to 100Mbps to qualifying households. It covers AT&T's fiber network and its legacy DSL network. The program costs $30 per month and includes equipment. There are no data caps. To qualify, you must be eligible for SNAP or NSLP or have a household income below 200% of federal poverty guidelines. If you can get only DSL, and your maximum available speed is 10Mbps or less, then you may be able to get Access by AT&T for $10 per month with a data cap. : AT&T's low-income program provides speeds up to 100Mbps to qualifying households. It covers AT&T's fiber network and its legacy DSL network. The program costs $30 per month and includes equipment. There are no data caps. To qualify, you must be eligible for SNAP or NSLP or have a household income below 200% of federal poverty guidelines. If you can get only DSL, and your maximum available speed is 10Mbps or less, then you may be able to get Access by AT&T for $10 per month with a data cap. Breezeline Internet Assist : Breezeline's plan for qualified low-income households costs $10 per month for speeds up to 50Mbps and includes a modem. You will qualify if you've already qualified for the ACP or participate in government assistance programs like the NSLP or SNAP. You'll need to contact Breezeline to sign up. : Breezeline's plan for qualified low-income households costs $10 per month for speeds up to 50Mbps and includes a modem. You will qualify if you've already qualified for the ACP or participate in government assistance programs like the NSLP or SNAP. You'll need to contact Breezeline to sign up. Cox ConnectAssist and Connect2Compete : ConnectAssist offers up to 100Mbps download speeds along with free equipment for $30 per month to households that qualify for at least one government assistance program. Connect2Compete is a plan with the same speeds for $10 per month for families with at least one student from kindergarten to high school age and at least one government assistance program. Cox may require documentation for an eligibility check. : ConnectAssist offers up to 100Mbps download speeds along with free equipment for $30 per month to households that qualify for at least one government assistance program. Connect2Compete is a plan with the same speeds for $10 per month for families with at least one student from kindergarten to high school age and at least one government assistance program. Cox may require documentation for an eligibility check. Human-I-T Franklin T10 Hotspot : Everyone who already qualified for the ACP automatically qualifies for this offer of unlimited 4G LTE internet access for $15 monthly. : Everyone who already qualified for the ACP automatically qualifies for this offer of unlimited 4G LTE internet access for $15 monthly. Kinetic by Windstream Benefit Credit : Kinetic by Windstream's ACP customers will continue to receive a Kinetic Benefit Credit that matches the previous federal subsidy. As long as you continue to meet the eligibility standards set by the ACP, you'll receive the credit. : Kinetic by Windstream's ACP customers will continue to receive a Kinetic Benefit Credit that matches the previous federal subsidy. As long as you continue to meet the eligibility standards set by the ACP, you'll receive the credit. Mediacom Xtream Connect : Get up to 100Mbps cable download speeds with Mediacom's Xtream Connect program for qualified low-income households. The $29 monthly fee includes a $14-per-month modem rental. Homes with at least one child in the NSLP can get the modem rental waived. You can also choose to provide your own equipment and save on the modem fee. There are no contracts or installation fees. : Get up to 100Mbps cable download speeds with Mediacom's Xtream Connect program for qualified low-income households. The $29 monthly fee includes a $14-per-month modem rental. Homes with at least one child in the NSLP can get the modem rental waived. You can also choose to provide your own equipment and save on the modem fee. There are no contracts or installation fees. Spectrum Internet Assist : Spectrum's $25-per-month 50Mbps plan for low-income households comes with a free modem and has no data caps or contracts. You can add Wi-Fi for an additional $5 per month. You must be a new customer and a recipient of a qualifying government assistance program like the NSLP or SSI (for applicants older than 65). : Spectrum's $25-per-month 50Mbps plan for low-income households comes with a free modem and has no data caps or contracts. You can add Wi-Fi for an additional $5 per month. You must be a new customer and a recipient of a qualifying government assistance program like the NSLP or SSI (for applicants older than 65). TDS Connect : The TDS Connect program is aimed at low-income households that participated in the ACP. It delivers up to 200Mbps service for $30 per month with a Wi-Fi modem, 24/7 tech support and no required contracts. : The TDS Connect program is aimed at low-income households that participated in the ACP. It delivers up to 200Mbps service for $30 per month with a Wi-Fi modem, 24/7 tech support and no required contracts. Verizon Forward : Verizon Forward offers a discount up to $30 per month for 5G Home or LTE Home Internet plans. You must be qualified for an eligible assistance program like SNAP. Verizon Forward can be combined with other discounts, including Lifeline and military discounts, which can bring your home internet down as low as $20 per month. : Verizon Forward offers a discount up to $30 per month for 5G Home or LTE Home Internet plans. You must be qualified for an eligible assistance program like SNAP. Verizon Forward can be combined with other discounts, including Lifeline and military discounts, which can bring your home internet down as low as $20 per month. Xfinity Internet Essentials: Xfinity's Internet Essentials plan for low-income households is $15 per month with equipment included. Expect speeds between 75Mbps and 100Mbps. Xfinity offers this as an option for ACP enrollees or customers who participate in an assistance program like Medicaid or SNAP. Internet Essentials also includes access to Xfinity Wi-Fi public hotspots. An aerial view of downtown Atlanta, Georgia Getty Images Low-income internet options in Georgia Access from AT&T : AT&T's low-income program provides speeds up to 100Mbps to qualifying households. It covers AT&T's fiber network and its legacy DSL network. The program costs $30 per month and includes equipment. There are no data caps. To qualify, you must be eligible for SNAP or NSLP or have a household income below 200% of federal poverty guidelines. If you can get only DSL, and your maximum available speed is 10Mbps or less, then you may be able to get Access by AT&T for $10 per month with a data cap. : AT&T's low-income program provides speeds up to 100Mbps to qualifying households. It covers AT&T's fiber network and its legacy DSL network. The program costs $30 per month and includes equipment. There are no data caps. To qualify, you must be eligible for SNAP or NSLP or have a household income below 200% of federal poverty guidelines. If you can get only DSL, and your maximum available speed is 10Mbps or less, then you may be able to get Access by AT&T for $10 per month with a data cap. Cox ConnectAssist and Connect2Compete : ConnectAssist offers up to 100Mbps download speeds along with free equipment for $30 per month to households that qualify for at least one government assistance program. Connect2Compete is a plan with the same speeds for $10 per month for families with at least one student from kindergarten to high school age and at least one government assistance program. Cox may require documentation for an eligibility check. : ConnectAssist offers up to 100Mbps download speeds along with free equipment for $30 per month to households that qualify for at least one government assistance program. Connect2Compete is a plan with the same speeds for $10 per month for families with at least one student from kindergarten to high school age and at least one government assistance program. Cox may require documentation for an eligibility check. Human-I-T Franklin T10 Hotspot : Everyone who already qualified for the ACP automatically qualifies for this offer of unlimited 4G LTE internet access for $15 monthly. Note that the hotspot device itself costs $73 upfront. : Everyone who already qualified for the ACP automatically qualifies for this offer of unlimited 4G LTE internet access for $15 monthly. Note that the hotspot device itself costs $73 upfront. Kinetic by Windstream Benefit Credit : Kinetic by Windstream's ACP customers will continue to receive a Kinetic Benefit Credit that matches the previous federal subsidy. As long as you continue to meet the eligibility standards set by the ACP, you'll receive the credit. : Kinetic by Windstream's ACP customers will continue to receive a Kinetic Benefit Credit that matches the previous federal subsidy. As long as you continue to meet the eligibility standards set by the ACP, you'll receive the credit. Mediacom Xtream Connect : Get up to 100Mbps cable download speeds with Mediacom's Xtream Connect program for qualified low-income households. The $29 monthly fee includes a $14-per-month modem rental. Homes with at least one child in the NSLP can get the modem rental waived. You can also choose to provide your own equipment and save on the modem fee. There are no contracts or installation fees. : Get up to 100Mbps cable download speeds with Mediacom's Xtream Connect program for qualified low-income households. The $29 monthly fee includes a $14-per-month modem rental. Homes with at least one child in the NSLP can get the modem rental waived. You can also choose to provide your own equipment and save on the modem fee. There are no contracts or installation fees. Spectrum Internet Assist : Spectrum's $25-per-month 50Mbps plan for low-income households comes with a free modem and has no data caps or contracts. You can add Wi-Fi for an additional $5 per month. You must be a new customer and a recipient of a qualifying government assistance program like the NSLP or SSI (for applicants older than 65). : Spectrum's $25-per-month 50Mbps plan for low-income households comes with a free modem and has no data caps or contracts. You can add Wi-Fi for an additional $5 per month. You must be a new customer and a recipient of a qualifying government assistance program like the NSLP or SSI (for applicants older than 65). TDS Connect : The TDS Connect program is aimed at low-income households that participated in the ACP. It delivers up to 200Mbps service for $30 per month with a Wi-Fi modem, 24/7 tech support and no required contracts. : The TDS Connect program is aimed at low-income households that participated in the ACP. It delivers up to 200Mbps service for $30 per month with a Wi-Fi modem, 24/7 tech support and no required contracts. Verizon Forward : Verizon Forward offers a discount up to $30 per month for 5G Home or LTE Home Internet plans. You must be qualified for an eligible assistance program like SNAP. Verizon Forward can be combined with other discounts, including Lifeline and military discounts, which can bring your home internet down as low as $20 per month. : Verizon Forward offers a discount up to $30 per month for 5G Home or LTE Home Internet plans. You must be qualified for an eligible assistance program like SNAP. Verizon Forward can be combined with other discounts, including Lifeline and military discounts, which can bring your home internet down as low as $20 per month. Xfinity Internet Essentials: Xfinity's Internet Essentials plan for low-income households is $15 per month with equipment included. Expect speeds between 75Mbps and 100Mbps. Xfinity offers this as an option for ACP enrollees or customers who participate in an assistance program like Medicaid or SNAP. Internet Essentials also includes access to Xfinity Wi-Fi public hotspots. Low-income internet options in Hawaii Hawaiian Telecom Internet Kokua Program : Low-income DSL customers may qualify for $10-per-month service for download speeds up to 7Mbps with a gateway included. Fiber-served households may qualify for 25Mbps download speeds for $13 per month including a gateway device. There's a one-time internet activation fee of $35. Your household income must be at or below 135% of federal poverty guidelines. : Low-income DSL customers may qualify for $10-per-month service for download speeds up to 7Mbps with a gateway included. Fiber-served households may qualify for 25Mbps download speeds for $13 per month including a gateway device. There's a one-time internet activation fee of $35. Your household income must be at or below 135% of federal poverty guidelines. Hawaiian Telecom Fioptics Internet Assistance : Hawaiian Telecom's assistance program provides 100Mbps symmetrical fiber service for $30 per month for 12 months. There are no data caps or contracts. You must have qualified for the Lifeline program or have participated in the ACP within the last year. You can provide your own router or rent one for an additional $11 per month. If you qualify for Lifeline, you can use that as an additional discount. The program runs through the end of 2025. : Hawaiian Telecom's assistance program provides 100Mbps symmetrical fiber service for $30 per month for 12 months. There are no data caps or contracts. You must have qualified for the Lifeline program or have participated in the ACP within the last year. You can provide your own router or rent one for an additional $11 per month. If you qualify for Lifeline, you can use that as an additional discount. The program runs through the end of 2025. Human-I-T Franklin T10 Hotspot : Everyone who already qualified for the ACP automatically qualifies for this offer of unlimited 4G LTE internet access for $15 monthly. Note that the hotspot device itself costs $73 upfront. : Everyone who already qualified for the ACP automatically qualifies for this offer of unlimited 4G LTE internet access for $15 monthly. Note that the hotspot device itself costs $73 upfront. Spectrum Internet Assist: Spectrum's $25-per-month 50Mbps plan for low-income households comes with a free modem and has no data caps or contracts. You can add Wi-Fi for an additional $5 per month. You must be a new customer and a recipient of a qualifying government assistance program like the NSLP or SSI (for applicants older than 65). Low-income internet options in Idaho Cox ConnectAssist and Connect2Compete : ConnectAssist offers up to 100Mbps download speeds along with free equipment for $30 per month to households that qualify for at least one government assistance program. Connect2Compete is a plan with the same speeds for $10 per month for families with at least one student from kindergarten to high school age and at least one government assistance program. Cox may require documentation for an eligibility check. : ConnectAssist offers up to 100Mbps download speeds along with free equipment for $30 per month to households that qualify for at least one government assistance program. Connect2Compete is a plan with the same speeds for $10 per month for families with at least one student from kindergarten to high school age and at least one government assistance program. Cox may require documentation for an eligibility check. Human-I-T Franklin T10 Hotspot : Everyone who already qualified for the ACP automatically qualifies for this offer of unlimited 4G LTE internet access for $15 monthly. : Everyone who already qualified for the ACP automatically qualifies for this offer of unlimited 4G LTE internet access for $15 monthly. Optimum Advantage Internet : For $15 per month, Optimum Advantage Internet provides speeds up to 50Mbps with no data caps and no contracts. The plan includes a router. Your household must meet criteria that may include participation in the NSLP or eligibility for SSI. It's also available for veterans who receive state or federal public assistance. For more speed, check into Optimum Advantage+ Internet for speeds up to 100Mbps for $25 per month. : For $15 per month, Optimum Advantage Internet provides speeds up to 50Mbps with no data caps and no contracts. The plan includes a router. Your household must meet criteria that may include participation in the NSLP or eligibility for SSI. It's also available for veterans who receive state or federal public assistance. For more speed, check into Optimum Advantage+ Internet for speeds up to 100Mbps for $25 per month. Spectrum Internet Assist : Spectrum's $25-per-month 50Mbps plan for low-income households comes with a free modem and has no data caps or contracts. You can add Wi-Fi for an additional $5 per month. You must be a new customer and a recipient of a qualifying government assistance program like the NSLP or SSI (for applicants older than 65). : Spectrum's $25-per-month 50Mbps plan for low-income households comes with a free modem and has no data caps or contracts. You can add Wi-Fi for an additional $5 per month. You must be a new customer and a recipient of a qualifying government assistance program like the NSLP or SSI (for applicants older than 65). TDS Connect : The TDS Connect program is aimed at low-income households that participated in the ACP. It delivers up to 200Mbps service for $30 per month with a Wi-Fi modem, 24/7 tech support and no required contracts. : The TDS Connect program is aimed at low-income households that participated in the ACP. It delivers up to 200Mbps service for $30 per month with a Wi-Fi modem, 24/7 tech support and no required contracts. Verizon Forward: Verizon Forward offers a discount up to $30 per month for 5G Home or LTE Home Internet plans. You must be qualified for an eligible assistance program like SNAP. Verizon Forward can be combined with other discounts, including Lifeline and military discounts, which can bring your home internet down as low as $20 per month. Low-income internet options in Illinois Access from AT&T : AT&T's low-income program provides speeds up to 100Mbps to qualifying households. It covers AT&T's fiber network and its legacy DSL network. The program costs $30 per month and includes equipment. There are no data caps. To qualify, you must be eligible for SNAP or NSLP or have a household income below 200% of federal poverty guidelines. If you can get only DSL, and your maximum available speed is 10Mbps or less, then you may be able to get Access by AT&T for $10 per month with a data cap. : AT&T's low-income program provides speeds up to 100Mbps to qualifying households. It covers AT&T's fiber network and its legacy DSL network. The program costs $30 per month and includes equipment. There are no data caps. To qualify, you must be eligible for SNAP or NSLP or have a household income below 200% of federal poverty guidelines. If you can get only DSL, and your maximum available speed is 10Mbps or less, then you may be able to get Access by AT&T for $10 per month with a data cap. Astound Internet First : Astound offers two plans through its Internet First program for qualifying low-income households. The 50Mbps plan runs $10 per month and the 150Mbps plan is $20 per month. There are no contracts and equipment is included. New customers can get the first three months free while existing Astound ACP customers can transition to Internet First. : Astound offers two plans through its Internet First program for qualifying low-income households. The 50Mbps plan runs $10 per month and the 150Mbps plan is $20 per month. There are no contracts and equipment is included. New customers can get the first three months free while existing Astound ACP customers can transition to Internet First. Human-I-T Franklin T10 Hotspot : Everyone who already qualified for the ACP automatically qualifies for this offer of unlimited 4G LTE internet access for $15 monthly. Note that the hotspot device itself costs $73 upfront. : Everyone who already qualified for the ACP automatically qualifies for this offer of unlimited 4G LTE internet access for $15 monthly. Note that the hotspot device itself costs $73 upfront. Mediacom Xtream Connect : Get up to 100Mbps cable download speeds with Mediacom's Xtream Connect program for qualified low-income households. The $29 monthly fee includes a $14-per-month modem rental. Homes with at least one child in the NSLP can get the modem rental waived. You can also choose to provide your own equipment and save on the modem fee. There are no contracts or installation fees. : Get up to 100Mbps cable download speeds with Mediacom's Xtream Connect program for qualified low-income households. The $29 monthly fee includes a $14-per-month modem rental. Homes with at least one child in the NSLP can get the modem rental waived. You can also choose to provide your own equipment and save on the modem fee. There are no contracts or installation fees. Spectrum Internet Assist : Spectrum's $25-per-month 50Mbps plan for low-income households comes with a free modem and has no data caps or contracts. You can add Wi-Fi for an additional $5 per month. You must be a new customer and a recipient of a qualifying government assistance program like the NSLP or SSI (for applicants o;der than 65). : Spectrum's $25-per-month 50Mbps plan for low-income households comes with a free modem and has no data caps or contracts. You can add Wi-Fi for an additional $5 per month. You must be a new customer and a recipient of a qualifying government assistance program like the NSLP or SSI (for applicants o;der than 65). Verizon Forward : Verizon Forward offers a discount up to $30 per month for 5G Home or LTE Home Internet plans. You must be qualified for an eligible assistance program like SNAP. Verizon Forward can be combined with other discounts, including Lifeline and military discounts, which can bring your home internet down as low as $20 per month. : Verizon Forward offers a discount up to $30 per month for 5G Home or LTE Home Internet plans. You must be qualified for an eligible assistance program like SNAP. Verizon Forward can be combined with other discounts, including Lifeline and military discounts, which can bring your home internet down as low as $20 per month. Xfinity Internet Essentials: Xfinity's Internet Essentials plan for low-income households is $15 per month with equipment included. Expect speeds between 75Mbps and 100Mbps. Xfinity offers this as an option for ACP enrollees or customers who participate in an assistance program like Medicaid or SNAP. Internet Essentials also includes access to Xfinity Wi-Fi public hotspots. Low-income internet options in Indiana Access from AT&T : AT&T's low-income program provides speeds up to 100Mbps to qualifying households. It covers AT&T's fiber network and its legacy DSL network. The program costs $30 per month and includes equipment. There are no data caps. To qualify, you must be eligible for SNAP or NSLP or have a household income below 200% of federal poverty guidelines. If you can get only DSL, and your maximum available speed is 10Mbps or less, then you may be able to get Access by AT&T for $10 per month with a data cap. : AT&T's low-income program provides speeds up to 100Mbps to qualifying households. It covers AT&T's fiber network and its legacy DSL network. The program costs $30 per month and includes equipment. There are no data caps. To qualify, you must be eligible for SNAP or NSLP or have a household income below 200% of federal poverty guidelines. If you can get only DSL, and your maximum available speed is 10Mbps or less, then you may be able to get Access by AT&T for $10 per month with a data cap. Astound Internet First : Astound offers two plans through its Internet First program for qualifying low-income households. The 50Mbps plan runs $10 per month and the 150Mbps plan is $20 per month. There are no contracts and equipment is included. New customers can get the first three months free while existing Astound ACP customers can transition to Internet First. : Astound offers two plans through its Internet First program for qualifying low-income households. The 50Mbps plan runs $10 per month and the 150Mbps plan is $20 per month. There are no contracts and equipment is included. New customers can get the first three months free while existing Astound ACP customers can transition to Internet First. Gigabit Now : This local, Indiana-based fiber network is offering 250Mbps symmetrical download and upload speeds and a free Wi-Fi router for as low as $10 for households that previously qualified for the ACP. Residents of Bloomington, Columbus, Bartholomew County and Shelbyville can apply for the program online. : This local, Indiana-based fiber network is offering 250Mbps symmetrical download and upload speeds and a free Wi-Fi router for as low as $10 for households that previously qualified for the ACP. Residents of Bloomington, Columbus, Bartholomew County and Shelbyville can apply for the program online. Human-I-T Franklin T10 Hotspot : Everyone who already qualified for the ACP automatically qualifies for this offer of unlimited 4G LTE internet access for $15 monthly. Note that the hotspot device itself costs $73 upfront. : Everyone who already qualified for the ACP automatically qualifies for this offer of unlimited 4G LTE internet access for $15 monthly. Note that the hotspot device itself costs $73 upfront. Mediacom Xtream Connect : Get up to 100Mbps cable download speeds with Mediacom's Xtream Connect program for qualified low-income households. The $29 monthly fee includes a $14-per-month modem rental. Homes with at least one child in the NSLP can get the modem rental waived. You can also choose to provide your own equipment and save on the modem fee. There are no contracts or installation fees. : Get up to 100Mbps cable download speeds with Mediacom's Xtream Connect program for qualified low-income households. The $29 monthly fee includes a $14-per-month modem rental. Homes with at least one child in the NSLP can get the modem rental waived. You can also choose to provide your own equipment and save on the modem fee. There are no contracts or installation fees. Spectrum Internet Assist : Spectrum's $25-per-month 50Mbps plan for low-income households comes with a free modem and has no data caps or contracts. You can add Wi-Fi for an additional $5 per month. You must be a new customer and a recipient of a qualifying government assistance program like the NSLP or SSI (for applicants older than 65). : Spectrum's $25-per-month 50Mbps plan for low-income households comes with a free modem and has no data caps or contracts. You can add Wi-Fi for an additional $5 per month. You must be a new customer and a recipient of a qualifying government assistance program like the NSLP or SSI (for applicants older than 65). TDS Connect : The TDS Connect program is aimed at low-income households that participated in the ACP. It delivers up to 200Mbps service for $30 per month with a Wi-Fi modem, 24/7 tech support and no required contracts. : The TDS Connect program is aimed at low-income households that participated in the ACP. It delivers up to 200Mbps service for $30 per month with a Wi-Fi modem, 24/7 tech support and no required contracts. Verizon Forward : Verizon Forward offers a discount up to $30 per month for 5G Home or LTE Home Internet plans. You must be qualified for an eligible assistance program like SNAP. Verizon Forward can be combined with other discounts, including Lifeline and military discounts, which can bring your home internet down as low as $20 per month. : Verizon Forward offers a discount up to $30 per month for 5G Home or LTE Home Internet plans. You must be qualified for an eligible assistance program like SNAP. Verizon Forward can be combined with other discounts, including Lifeline and military discounts, which can bring your home internet down as low as $20 per month. Xfinity Internet Essentials: Xfinity's Internet Essentials plan for low-income households is $15 per month with equipment included. Expect speeds between 75Mbps and 100Mbps. Xfinity offers this as an option for ACP enrollees or customers who participate in an assistance program like Medicaid or SNAP. Internet Essentials also includes access to Xfinity Wi-Fi public hotspots. Low-income internet options in Iowa Cox ConnectAssist and Connect2Compete : ConnectAssist offers up to 100Mbps download speeds along with free equipment for $30 per month to households that qualify for at least one government assistance program. Connect2Compete is a plan with the same speeds for $10 per month for families with at least one student from kindergarten to high school age and at least one government assistance program. Cox may require documentation for an eligibility check. : ConnectAssist offers up to 100Mbps download speeds along with free equipment for $30 per month to households that qualify for at least one government assistance program. Connect2Compete is a plan with the same speeds for $10 per month for families with at least one student from kindergarten to high school age and at least one government assistance program. Cox may require documentation for an eligibility check. Human-I-T Franklin T10 Hotspot : Everyone who already qualified for the ACP automatically qualifies for this offer of unlimited 4G LTE internet access for $15 monthly. Note that the hotspot device itself costs $73 upfront. : Everyone who already qualified for the ACP automatically qualifies for this offer of unlimited 4G LTE internet access for $15 monthly. Note that the hotspot device itself costs $73 upfront. Kinetic by Windstream Benefit Credit : Kinetic by Windstream's ACP customers will continue to receive a Kinetic Benefit Credit that matches the previous federal subsidy. As long as you continue to meet the eligibility standards set by the ACP, you'll receive the credit. : Kinetic by Windstream's ACP customers will continue to receive a Kinetic Benefit Credit that matches the previous federal subsidy. As long as you continue to meet the eligibility standards set by the ACP, you'll receive the credit. Mediacom Xtream Connect : Get up to 100Mbps cable download speeds with Mediacom's Xtream Connect program for qualified low-income households. The $29 monthly fee includes a $14-per-month modem rental. Homes with at least one child in the NSLP can get the modem rental waived. You can also choose to provide your own equipment and save on the modem fee. There are no contracts or installation fees. : Get up to 100Mbps cable download speeds with Mediacom's Xtream Connect program for qualified low-income households. The $29 monthly fee includes a $14-per-month modem rental. Homes with at least one child in the NSLP can get the modem rental waived. You can also choose to provide your own equipment and save on the modem fee. There are no contracts or installation fees. Verizon Forward: Verizon Forward offers a discount up to $30 per month for 5G Home or LTE Home Internet plans. You must be qualified for an eligible assistance program like SNAP. Verizon Forward can be combined with other discounts, including Lifeline and military discounts, which can bring your home internet down as low as $20 per month. Low-income internet options in Kansas Access from AT&T : AT&T's low-income program provides speeds up to 100Mbps to qualifying households. It covers AT&T's fiber network and its legacy DSL network. The program costs $30 per month and includes equipment. There are no data caps. To qualify, you must be eligible for SNAP or NSLP or have a household income below 200% of federal poverty guidelines. If you can get only DSL, and your maximum available speed is 10Mbps or less, then you may be able to get Access by AT&T for $10 per month with a data cap. : AT&T's low-income program provides speeds up to 100Mbps to qualifying households. It covers AT&T's fiber network and its legacy DSL network. The program costs $30 per month and includes equipment. There are no data caps. To qualify, you must be eligible for SNAP or NSLP or have a household income below 200% of federal poverty guidelines. If you can get only DSL, and your maximum available speed is 10Mbps or less, then you may be able to get Access by AT&T for $10 per month with a data cap. Cox ConnectAssist and Connect2Compete : ConnectAssist offers up to 100Mbps download speeds along with free equipment for $30 per month to households that qualify for at least one government assistance program. Connect2Compete is a plan with the same speeds for $10 per month for families with at least one student from kindergarten to high school age and at least one government assistance program. Cox may require documentation for an eligibility check. : ConnectAssist offers up to 100Mbps download speeds along with free equipment for $30 per month to households that qualify for at least one government assistance program. Connect2Compete is a plan with the same speeds for $10 per month for families with at least one student from kindergarten to high school age and at least one government assistance program. Cox may require documentation for an eligibility check. Human-I-T Franklin T10 Hotspot : Everyone who already qualified for the ACP automatically qualifies for this offer of unlimited 4G LTE internet access for $15 monthly. Note that the hotspot device itself costs $73 upfront. : Everyone who already qualified for the ACP automatically qualifies for this offer of unlimited 4G LTE internet access for $15 monthly. Note that the hotspot device itself costs $73 upfront. Mediacom Xtream Connect : Get up to 100Mbps cable download speeds with Mediacom's Xtream Connect program for qualified low-income households. The $29 monthly fee includes a $14-per-month modem rental. Homes with at least one child in the NSLP can get the modem rental waived. You can also choose to provide your own equipment and save on the modem fee. There are no contracts or installation fees. : Get up to 100Mbps cable download speeds with Mediacom's Xtream Connect program for qualified low-income households. The $29 monthly fee includes a $14-per-month modem rental. Homes with at least one child in the NSLP can get the modem rental waived. You can also choose to provide your own equipment and save on the modem fee. There are no contracts or installation fees. Spectrum Internet Assist : Spectrum's $25-per-month 50Mbps plan for low-income households comes with a free modem and has no data caps or contracts. You can add Wi-Fi for an additional $5 per month. You must be a new customer and a recipient of a qualifying government assistance program like the NSLP or SSI (for applicants older than 65). : Spectrum's $25-per-month 50Mbps plan for low-income households comes with a free modem and has no data caps or contracts. You can add Wi-Fi for an additional $5 per month. You must be a new customer and a recipient of a qualifying government assistance program like the NSLP or SSI (for applicants older than 65). Verizon Forward : Verizon Forward offers a discount up to $30 per month for 5G Home or LTE Home Internet plans. You must be qualified for an eligible assistance program like SNAP. Verizon Forward can be combined with other discounts, including Lifeline and military discounts, which can bring your home internet down as low as $20 per month. : Verizon Forward offers a discount up to $30 per month for 5G Home or LTE Home Internet plans. You must be qualified for an eligible assistance program like SNAP. Verizon Forward can be combined with other discounts, including Lifeline and military discounts, which can bring your home internet down as low as $20 per month. Xfinity Internet Essentials: Xfinity's Internet Essentials plan for low-income households is $15 per month with equipment included. Expect speeds between 75Mbps and 100Mbps. Xfinity offers this as an option for ACP enrollees or customers who participate in an assistance program like Medicaid or SNAP. Internet Essentials also includes access to Xfinity Wi-Fi public hotspots. Low-income internet options in Kentucky Access from AT&T : AT&T's low-income program provides speeds up to 100Mbps to qualifying households. It covers AT&T's fiber network and its legacy DSL network. The program costs $30 per month and includes equipment. There are no data caps. To qualify, you must be eligible for SNAP or NSLP or have a household income below 200% of federal poverty guidelines. If you can get only DSL, and your maximum available speed is 10Mbps or less, then you may be able to get Access by AT&T for $10 per month with a data cap. : AT&T's low-income program provides speeds up to 100Mbps to qualifying households. It covers AT&T's fiber network and its legacy DSL network. The program costs $30 per month and includes equipment. There are no data caps. To qualify, you must be eligible for SNAP or NSLP or have a household income below 200% of federal poverty guidelines. If you can get only DSL, and your maximum available speed is 10Mbps or less, then you may be able to get Access by AT&T for $10 per month with a data cap. Altafiber Fioptics Internet Assistance : Altafiber's assistance program provides 100Mbps symmetrical fiber service for $30 per month for 12 months. There are no data caps or contracts. You must have qualified for the Lifeline program or have participated in the ACP within the past year. You can provide your own router or rent one for an additional $12 per month. If you qualify for Lifeline, then you can use that as an additional discount. The program runs through the end of 202. Altafiber is available in parts of Northern Kentucky. : Altafiber's assistance program provides 100Mbps symmetrical fiber service for $30 per month for 12 months. There are no data caps or contracts. You must have qualified for the Lifeline program or have participated in the ACP within the past year. You can provide your own router or rent one for an additional $12 per month. If you qualify for Lifeline, then you can use that as an additional discount. The program runs through the end of 202. Altafiber is available in parts of Northern Kentucky. Human-I-T Franklin T10 Hotspot : Everyone who already qualified for the ACP automatically qualifies for this offer of unlimited 4G LTE internet access for $15 monthly. Note that the hotspot device itself costs $73 upfront. : Everyone who already qualified for the ACP automatically qualifies for this offer of unlimited 4G LTE internet access for $15 monthly. Note that the hotspot device itself costs $73 upfront. Kinetic by Windstream Benefit Credit : Kinetic by Windstream's ACP customers will continue to receive a Kinetic Benefit Credit that matches the previous federal subsidy. As long as you continue to meet the eligibility standards set by the ACP, you'll receive the credit. : Kinetic by Windstream's ACP customers will continue to receive a Kinetic Benefit Credit that matches the previous federal subsidy. As long as you continue to meet the eligibility standards set by the ACP, you'll receive the credit. Mediacom Xtream Connect : Get up to 100Mbps cable download speeds with Mediacom's Xtream Connect program for qualified low-income households. The $29 monthly fee includes a $14-per-month modem rental. Homes with at least one child in the NSLP can get the modem rental waived. You can also choose to provide your own equipment and save on the modem fee. There are no contracts or installation fees. : Get up to 100Mbps cable download speeds with Mediacom's Xtream Connect program for qualified low-income households. The $29 monthly fee includes a $14-per-month modem rental. Homes with at least one child in the NSLP can get the modem rental waived. You can also choose to provide your own equipment and save on the modem fee. There are no contracts or installation fees. Spectrum Internet Assist : Spectrum's $25-per-month 50Mbps plan for low-income households comes with a free modem and has no data caps or contracts. You can add Wi-Fi for an additional $5 per month. You must be a new customer and a recipient of a qualifying government assistance program like the NSLP or SSI (for applicants older than 65). : Spectrum's $25-per-month 50Mbps plan for low-income households comes with a free modem and has no data caps or contracts. You can add Wi-Fi for an additional $5 per month. You must be a new customer and a recipient of a qualifying government assistance program like the NSLP or SSI (for applicants older than 65). TDS Connect : The TDS Connect program is aimed at low-income households that participated in the ACP. It delivers up to 200Mbps service for $30 per month with a Wi-Fi modem, 24/7 tech support and no required contracts. : The TDS Connect program is aimed at low-income households that participated in the ACP. It delivers up to 200Mbps service for $30 per month with a Wi-Fi modem, 24/7 tech support and no required contracts. Optimum Advantage Internet : For $15 per month, Optimum Advantage Internet provides speeds up to 50Mbps with no data caps and no contracts. The plan includes a router. Your household must meet criteria that may include participation in the NSLP or eligibility for SSI. It's also available for veterans who receive state or federal public assistance. For more speed, check into Optimum Advantage+ Internet for speeds up to 100Mbps for $25 per month. : For $15 per month, Optimum Advantage Internet provides speeds up to 50Mbps with no data caps and no contracts. The plan includes a router. Your household must meet criteria that may include participation in the NSLP or eligibility for SSI. It's also available for veterans who receive state or federal public assistance. For more speed, check into Optimum Advantage+ Internet for speeds up to 100Mbps for $25 per month. Verizon Forward : Verizon Forward offers a discount up to $30 per month for 5G Home or LTE Home Internet plans. You must be qualified for an eligible assistance program like SNAP. Verizon Forward can be combined with other discounts, including Lifeline and military discounts, which can bring your home internet down as low as $20 per month. : Verizon Forward offers a discount up to $30 per month for 5G Home or LTE Home Internet plans. You must be qualified for an eligible assistance program like SNAP. Verizon Forward can be combined with other discounts, including Lifeline and military discounts, which can bring your home internet down as low as $20 per month. Xfinity Internet Essentials: Xfinity's Internet Essentials plan for low-income households is $15 per month with equipment included. Expect speeds between 75Mbps and 100Mbps. Xfinity offers this as an option for ACP enrollees or customers who participate in an assistance program like Medicaid or SNAP. Internet Essentials also includes access to Xfinity Wi-Fi public hotspots. Low-income internet options in Louisiana Access from AT&T : AT&T's low-income program provides speeds up to 100Mbps to qualifying households. It covers AT&T's fiber network and its legacy DSL network. The program costs $30 per month and includes equipment. There are no data caps. To qualify, you must be eligible for SNAP or NSLP or have a household income below 200% of federal poverty guidelines. If you can get only DSL, and your maximum available speed is 10Mbps or less, then you may be able to get Access by AT&T for $10 per month with a data cap. : AT&T's low-income program provides speeds up to 100Mbps to qualifying households. It covers AT&T's fiber network and its legacy DSL network. The program costs $30 per month and includes equipment. There are no data caps. To qualify, you must be eligible for SNAP or NSLP or have a household income below 200% of federal poverty guidelines. If you can get only DSL, and your maximum available speed is 10Mbps or less, then you may be able to get Access by AT&T for $10 per month with a data cap. Cox ConnectAssist and Connect2Compete : ConnectAssist offers up to 100Mbps download speeds along with free equipment for $30 per month to households that qualify for at least one government assistance program. Connect2Compete is a plan with the same speeds for $10 per month for families with at least one student from kindergarten to high school age and at least one government assistance program. Cox may require documentation for an eligibility check. : ConnectAssist offers up to 100Mbps download speeds along with free equipment for $30 per month to households that qualify for at least one government assistance program. Connect2Compete is a plan with the same speeds for $10 per month for families with at least one student from kindergarten to high school age and at least one government assistance program. Cox may require documentation for an eligibility check. Human-I-T Franklin T10 Hotspot : Everyone who already qualified for the ACP automatically qualifies for this offer of unlimited 4G LTE internet access for $15 monthly. Note that the hotspot device itself costs $73 upfront. : Everyone who already qualified for the ACP automatically qualifies for this offer of unlimited 4G LTE internet access for $15 monthly. Note that the hotspot device itself costs $73 upfront. Optimum Advantage Internet : For $15 per month, Optimum Advantage Internet provides speeds up to 50Mbps with no data caps and no contracts. The plan includes a router. Your household must meet criteria that may include participation in the NSLP or eligibility for SSI. It's also available for veterans who receive state or federal public assistance. For more speed, check into Optimum Advantage+ Internet for speeds up to 100Mbps for $25 per month. : For $15 per month, Optimum Advantage Internet provides speeds up to 50Mbps with no data caps and no contracts. The plan includes a router. Your household must meet criteria that may include participation in the NSLP or eligibility for SSI. It's also available for veterans who receive state or federal public assistance. For more speed, check into Optimum Advantage+ Internet for speeds up to 100Mbps for $25 per month. Spectrum Internet Assist : Spectrum's $25-per-month 50Mbps plan for low-income households comes with a free modem and has no data caps or contracts. You can add Wi-Fi for an additional $5 per month. You must be a new customer and a recipient of a qualifying government assistance program like the NSLP or SSI (for applicants over 65). : Spectrum's $25-per-month 50Mbps plan for low-income households comes with a free modem and has no data caps or contracts. You can add Wi-Fi for an additional $5 per month. You must be a new customer and a recipient of a qualifying government assistance program like the NSLP or SSI (for applicants over 65). Verizon Forward : Verizon Forward offers a discount up to $30 per month for 5G Home or LTE Home Internet plans. You must be qualified for an eligible assistance program like SNAP. Verizon Forward can be combined with other discounts, including Lifeline and military discounts, which can bring your home internet down as low as $20 per month. : Verizon Forward offers a discount up to $30 per month for 5G Home or LTE Home Internet plans. You must be qualified for an eligible assistance program like SNAP. Verizon Forward can be combined with other discounts, including Lifeline and military discounts, which can bring your home internet down as low as $20 per month. Xfinity Internet Essentials: Xfinity's Internet Essentials plan for low-income households is $15 per month with equipment included. Expect speeds between 75Mbps and 100Mbps. Xfinity offers this as an option for ACP enrollees or customers who participate in an assistance program like Medicaid or SNAP. Internet Essentials also includes access to Xfinity Wi-Fi public hotspots. Low-income internet options in Maine Breezeline Internet Assist : Breezeline's plan for qualified low-income households costs $10 per month for speeds up to 50Mbps and includes a modem. You will qualify if you've already qualified for the ACP or participate in government assistance programs like the NSLP or SNAP. You'll need to contact Breezeline to sign up. : Breezeline's plan for qualified low-income households costs $10 per month for speeds up to 50Mbps and includes a modem. You will qualify if you've already qualified for the ACP or participate in government assistance programs like the NSLP or SNAP. You'll need to contact Breezeline to sign up. Human-I-T Franklin T10 Hotspot : Everyone who already qualified for the ACP automatically qualifies for this offer of unlimited 4G LTE internet access for $15 monthly. Note that the hotspot device itself costs $73 upfront. : Everyone who already qualified for the ACP automatically qualifies for this offer of unlimited 4G LTE internet access for $15 monthly. Note that the hotspot device itself costs $73 upfront. Spectrum Internet Assist : Spectrum's $25-per-month 50Mbps plan for low-income households comes with a free modem and has no data caps or contracts. You can add Wi-Fi for an additional $5 per month. You must be a new customer and a recipient of a qualifying government assistance program like the NSLP or SSI (for applicants older than 65). : Spectrum's $25-per-month 50Mbps plan for low-income households comes with a free modem and has no data caps or contracts. You can add Wi-Fi for an additional $5 per month. You must be a new customer and a recipient of a qualifying government assistance program like the NSLP or SSI (for applicants older than 65). TDS Connect : The TDS Connect program is aimed at low-income households that participated in the ACP. It delivers up to 200Mbps service for $30 per month with a Wi-Fi modem, 24/7 tech support and no required contracts. : The TDS Connect program is aimed at low-income households that participated in the ACP. It delivers up to 200Mbps service for $30 per month with a Wi-Fi modem, 24/7 tech support and no required contracts. Trailrunner ACP Continuation Program : Fixed wireless provider Trailrunner Broadband Internet joins a handful of ISPs in continuing the ACP discount for existing customers. In addition to their existing customers, Trailrunner will also honor the ACP discount for any previously approved ACP recipient who wants to switch from another ISP. : Fixed wireless provider Trailrunner Broadband Internet joins a handful of ISPs in continuing the ACP discount for existing customers. In addition to their existing customers, Trailrunner will also honor the ACP discount for any previously approved ACP recipient who wants to switch from another ISP. Verizon Forward : Verizon Forward offers a discount up to $30 per month for 5G Home or LTE Home Internet plans. You must be qualified for an eligible assistance program like SNAP. Verizon Forward can be combined with other discounts, including Lifeline and military discounts, which can bring your home internet down as low as $20 per month. : Verizon Forward offers a discount up to $30 per month for 5G Home or LTE Home Internet plans. You must be qualified for an eligible assistance program like SNAP. Verizon Forward can be combined with other discounts, including Lifeline and military discounts, which can bring your home internet down as low as $20 per month. Xfinity Internet Essentials: Xfinity's Internet Essentials plan for low-income households is $15 per month with equipment included. Expect speeds between 75Mbps and 100Mbps. Xfinity offers this as an option for ACP enrollees or customers who participate in an assistance program like Medicaid or SNAP. Internet Essentials also includes access to Xfinity Wi-Fi public hotspots. Blue skies over Baltimore's Inner Harbor Getty Images Low-income internet options in Maryland Astound Internet First : Astound offers two plans through its Internet First program for qualifying low-income households. The 50Mbps plan runs $10 per month, and the 150Mbps plan is $20 per month. There are no contracts and equipment is included. New customers can get the first three months free while existing Astound ACP customers can transition to Internet First. : Astound offers two plans through its Internet First program for qualifying low-income households. The 50Mbps plan runs $10 per month, and the 150Mbps plan is $20 per month. There are no contracts and equipment is included. New customers can get the first three months free while existing Astound ACP customers can transition to Internet First. Breezeline Internet Assist : Breezeline's plan for qualified low-income households costs $10 per month for speeds up to 50Mbps and includes a modem. You will qualify if you've already qualified for the ACP or participate in government assistance programs like the NSLP or SNAP. You'll need to contact Breezeline to sign up. : Breezeline's plan for qualified low-income households costs $10 per month for speeds up to 50Mbps and includes a modem. You will qualify if you've already qualified for the ACP or participate in government assistance programs like the NSLP or SNAP. You'll need to contact Breezeline to sign up. Choptank Fiber Low Income Access Program : Choptank Fiber offers a $30-per-month discount on home internet to customers who already participate in an energy assistance program or qualified for assistance from the ACP. Contact Choptank Fiber to enroll. : Choptank Fiber offers a $30-per-month discount on home internet to customers who already participate in an energy assistance program or qualified for assistance from the ACP. Contact Choptank Fiber to enroll. Human-I-T Franklin T10 Hotspot : Everyone who already qualified for the ACP automatically qualifies for this offer of unlimited 4G LTE internet access for $15 monthly. Note that the hotspot device itself costs $73 upfront. : Everyone who already qualified for the ACP automatically qualifies for this offer of unlimited 4G LTE internet access for $15 monthly. Note that the hotspot device itself costs $73 upfront. Marylanders Online : Connect with a digital navigator for one-on-one assistance with finding an affordable internet plan for your home. It's part of the University of Maryland Extension service. : Connect with a digital navigator for one-on-one assistance with finding an affordable internet plan for your home. It's part of the University of Maryland Extension service. Mediacom Xtream Connect : Get up to 100Mbps cable download speeds with Mediacom's Xtream Connect program for qualified low-income households. The $29 monthly fee includes a $14-per-month modem rental. Homes with at least one child in the NSLP can get the modem rental waived. You can also choose to provide your own equipment and save on the modem fee. There are no contracts or installation fees. : Get up to 100Mbps cable download speeds with Mediacom's Xtream Connect program for qualified low-income households. The $29 monthly fee includes a $14-per-month modem rental. Homes with at least one child in the NSLP can get the modem rental waived. You can also choose to provide your own equipment and save on the modem fee. There are no contracts or installation fees. Spectrum Internet Assist : Spectrum's $25-per-month 50Mbps plan for low-income households comes with a free modem and has no data caps or contracts. You can add Wi-Fi for an additional $5 per month. You must be a new customer and a recipient of a qualifying government assistance program like the NSLP or SSI (for applicants older than 65). : Spectrum's $25-per-month 50Mbps plan for low-income households comes with a free modem and has no data caps or contracts. You can add Wi-Fi for an additional $5 per month. You must be a new customer and a recipient of a qualifying government assistance program like the NSLP or SSI (for applicants older than 65). Verizon Forward : Verizon Forward offers a discount up to $30 per month for 5G Home or LTE Home Internet plans. Verizon Fios is available in parts of Maryland and is also eligible for discounts. You must be qualified for an eligible assistance program like SNAP. Verizon Forward can be combined with other discounts, including Lifeline and military discounts, which can bring your home internet down as low as $20 per month. : Verizon Forward offers a discount up to $30 per month for 5G Home or LTE Home Internet plans. Verizon Fios is available in parts of Maryland and is also eligible for discounts. You must be qualified for an eligible assistance program like SNAP. Verizon Forward can be combined with other discounts, including Lifeline and military discounts, which can bring your home internet down as low as $20 per month. Xfinity Internet Essentials: Xfinity's Internet Essentials plan for low-income households is $15 per month with equipment included. Expect speeds between 75Mbps and 100Mbps. Xfinity offers this as an option for ACP enrollees or customers who participate in an assistance program like Medicaid or SNAP. Internet Essentials also includes access to Xfinity Wi-Fi public hotspots. Low-income internet options in Massachusetts Astound Internet First : Astound offers two plans through its Internet First program for qualifying low-income households. The 50Mbps plan runs $10 per month and the 150Mbps plan is $20 per month. There are no contracts and equipment is included. New customers can get the first three months, free while existing Astound ACP customers can transition to Internet First. : Astound offers two plans through its Internet First program for qualifying low-income households. The 50Mbps plan runs $10 per month and the 150Mbps plan is $20 per month. There are no contracts and equipment is included. New customers can get the first three months, free while existing Astound ACP customers can transition to Internet First. Cox ConnectAssist and Connect2Compete : ConnectAssist offers up to 100Mbps download speeds along with free equipment for $30 per month to households that qualify for at least one government assistance program. Connect2Compete is a plan with the same speeds for $10 per month for families with at least one student from kindergarten to high school age and at least one government assistance program. Cox may require documentation for an eligibility check. : ConnectAssist offers up to 100Mbps download speeds along with free equipment for $30 per month to households that qualify for at least one government assistance program. Connect2Compete is a plan with the same speeds for $10 per month for families with at least one student from kindergarte
CNET
07-06-2025
- Business
- CNET
ACP Alternatives: Explore These Discounted Internet Plans for Low-Income Households
It's been one year since the Affordable Connectivity Program ended, leaving an estimated 5 million households disconnected from the internet. The internet subsidy for low-income households provided more than 23 million homes in the US with $30 to $75 per month off their internet bills. With the ACP gone, some low-cost internet options still exist for households nationwide. The ACP was available to anyone who made less than or equal to 200% of the federal poverty guidelines, which is $64,300 for a family of four. Nearly half of ACP subscribers were military families. Older Americans, African Americans and Latinos also relied on the ACP at higher rates. Several bills to extend the program were proposed in Congress last year but none have been brought to a vote. "The big issue with the ACP is that the longer we go without it, the harder it is to reauthorize it," Joel Thayer, president of the Digital Progress Institute, told me near the end of 2024. "In general, I don't see a political will for it." Experts vary on how Republicans' election wins could impact an ACP revival. While the party has generally supported tightening the income requirements for the ACP, some high-profile Republicans -- including Vice President JD Vance -- have sponsored ACP extension bills. President Donald Trump signed the COVID-19 relief package, including the Emergency Broadband Benefit, which later became the ACP, in 2020. Locating local internet providers That's a glimmer of hope for former ACP recipients who've had to cancel their internet or find extra money in their budgets in the past year. "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 used the ACP, told CNET. "It basically helps me to keep from having to choose what bills I'm going to pay." Cheapest ACP alternatives While no single resource can replace the $14.2 billion ACP, various discounted plans from internet providers can help ease the transition. Here are some of our top picks: Astound Broadband: This cable ISP offers low-income households discounted internet starting at $20 per month with Internet First. You can expect download speeds of up to 150 megabits per second, unlimited data and a contract-free service. Cox Communications: Families can sign up for internet starting at $10 a month for speeds of 100Mbps with Connect2Compete. For $20 more and for similar speeds, the ConnectAssist plan is also available for individuals. Both plans include free equipment and installation at no extra cost. Starry Internet: If this fixed wireless ISP is available at your address, you may be eligible for Starry Connect, its low-cost internet plan, which costs $15 a month for 30Mbps. As with all Starry internet plans, the equipment is free and there are no data caps. WOW Internet: For $10 monthly, families with students in qualifying school districts can sign up for WOW's Internet Select 50. You can expect download speeds of up to 30Mbps, free equipment and a free self-installation kit. Xfinity: For download speeds of 75Mbps starting at $15 per month, Xfinity has Internet Essentials for eligible households in certain areas. If you want more speed, the 100Mbps tier will cost you $30 monthly. What are other ACP alternatives for low-income households? If discounted plans from your internet provider are not available, you canexplore other options from many local and state subsidies and nonprofits. Let's dig deeper into the details. 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 $43,403 for a family of four. Am I eligible for Lifeline? Household size 48 contiguous states, DC and territories Alaska Hawaii 1 $21,128 $26,393 $24,287 2 $28,553 $35,681 $32,832 3 $35,978 $44,969 $41,378 4 $43,403 $54,257 $49,923 5 $50,828 $63,545 $58,469 6 $58,253 $72,833 $67,041 7 $65,678 $82,121 $75,560 8 $73,103 $91,409 $84,105 For each additional person, add: $7,425 $9,288 $8,546 Show more (4 items) Shop providers at my address Source: USAC Lifeline Support 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. 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 service. 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. Some cities, like Chicago, offer free internet to families in Chicago public schools and eligible city colleges through its Chicago Connected program. The best way to find these resources is to go to Google and search for "[location] internet resources." Read more: Check out the low-cost internet available in your state Low-income programs from internet providers Many internet providers, including AT&T, Spectrum and Xfinity, offer discounted plans for low-income households. Requirements vary but they're usually similar to the ACP: You must meet certain income requirements or participate in a federal program like SNAP or the National School Lunch Program. To help consumers navigate these discounted plans, the National Digital Inclusion Alliance created a scoring system called Grading Internet for Good, based on cost, transparency and plan performance. I've included the NDIA ratings below, along with some basic information about each plan. Internet provider discounts To determine which providers are available in your area, enter your address on the Federal Communication Commission's broadband map. Nonprofit organizations There are several nonprofits around the country that strive to close the digital divide. Some help with monthly internet costs, while others provide devices that connect to the internet. These organizations all received nonprofit status from the IRS and were vetted by watchdogs Charity Navigator and 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 below $50 monthly. You can find cheap internet plans starting at about $20 to $40 a month with Xfinity, Astound and Frontier Fiber. 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. Digital Heroes: Connecting New Yorkers to Affordable, High-Speed Internet Access Digital Heroes: Connecting New Yorkers to Affordable, High-Speed Internet Access Click to unmute Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Skip Backward Skip Forward Next playlist item Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 8:00 Loaded : 7.43% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 8:00 Share Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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Digital Heroes: Connecting New Yorkers to Affordable, High-Speed Internet Access Other ways to save money on home internet According to a recent CNET broadband survey, on average, US adults paid $195 more for their home internet than the year prior. In addition, 63% saw their prices increase in 2024. While your ISP increasing its prices is virtually unavoidable, there are ways for you to save money on your home internet. Start by determining how much speed you actually need. While the speediest plans might be enticing, your household may not need that much. Your household's speed needs will vary based on many factors, such as the number of connected devices and whether you stream or game frequently. As I mentioned earlier, another way to save money is by using your own equipment instead of renting from your ISP. In addition, bundling your home internet with a TV or mobile plan can bring monthly discounts. However, be mindful not to fall into pricing traps when considering this option. You can also try negotiating with your ISP for a better deal that works for you.
CNET
27-05-2025
- Business
- CNET
The ACP 'Saved My Life': Real People Share the Real Cost of Losing Affordable Internet
"The ACP program really saved my life," said Dorothy Burrell, a 55-year-old from Kansas City. Burrell was one of the 23 million Americans enrolled in the Affordable Connectivity Program, a pandemic-era fund that helped low-income households pay for internet access. These days, Burrell teaches computer skills at the digital advocacy nonprofit Essential Families, but when day-to-day life went online during the pandemic, she suddenly found herself stranded without an internet connection. 'Because I have lupus, it was hard for me,' Burrell said. 'My pastor had to come and put the food outside for me when I couldn't even video her, to talk to her, to let her know, or keep in touch with my family and loved ones.' Former ACP enrollees have had to make a number of compromises to keep their internet on since it ended a year ago. A January survey from the National Lifeline Association found that nearly 40% of people enrolled in the program said they had to reduce spending on food to afford their new internet bill. 41% cut back on necessities like clothing, heat and doctor's visits. Another 18% said their kids had difficulty completing homework assignments. Locating local internet providers I believe truly that it was the most successful program we've ever had anywhere in our decades-long bipartisan effort to crack the digital divide. FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks But the number that stuck out to me the most was the 64% who said they're unable to maintain regular contact with family and loved ones. That was something I heard echoed by nearly every ACP user I spoke with for this piece: Life without an internet connection can be incredibly isolating. 'I live alone, and the computer's like my best friend," said Phyllis Jackson, a retired administrative assistant in Monroeville, Pennsylvania. 'I listen to YouTube a lot. I check my emails a lot. I'm constantly on there.' The ACP provided $30 a month to help low-income households pay for an internet connection, or $75 for people living on Tribal lands. The program accepted households at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines, or $60,000 for a family of four. Prices to get online have only gone up since it ended, with 63% of customers reporting higher internet bills than the year before in a recent CNET survey. Despite broad bipartisan support from voters -- and from former senator, now Vice President J.D. Vance, who co-sponsored a bill in 2024 to extend the ACP -- the program officially ran out of money one year ago. Starting in June 2024, ACP users were faced with a stark choice: find an extra $30 in their monthly budget or cut the cord on their internet connection entirely. 'It was just a sad moment,' Burrell said. 'I was praying that they'd let us keep it. But it was over.' In my seven years covering the broadband industry, I've heard over and over from experts that the reason most people don't have an internet connection isn't because it's unavailable -- it's just too expensive. The ACP was the first time the federal government seriously addressed the affordability side of the equation. 'It was a matter of having consistent access to the internet,' said Angela Siefer, executive director of the National Digital Inclusion Alliance. 'Internet access is not a 'you have it or you don't have it.' It's, 'Do you have what you need all the time, so that it is available when you need it?'' But that investment in affordability paled in comparison to the money devoted to expanding infrastructure. Of the $90 billion Congress devoted to closing the broadband divide in 2021, the ACP only accounted for $14.2 billion; the rest went to expanding internet access in primarily rural areas. 'The ACP was the most effective program I have ever seen for helping low-income Americans get online and stay online," said FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks at a roundtable hosted by Broadband Breakfast in February. 'In fact, I believe truly that it was the most successful program we've ever had anywhere in our decades-long bipartisan effort to crack the digital divide.' That's no exaggeration. One analysis by the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society found that a dollar spent on the ACP returns nearly two dollars in impacts to those using the program. Another study from The Brattle Group determined that the ACP generated nearly $30 billion in annual savings through improved access to telehealth services alone. In some ways, the ACP was a victim of its own success. Because it was a one-time appropriation, the subsidy was gone once the money was spent, and the outpouring of Americans signing up was beyond what anyone predicted. Internet service providers began notifying recipients in January last year that they'd lose the discount; by June, it was gone. Melvin Lewis was enrolled in the ACP through Computer Reach, a Pittsburgh-based nonprofit working to close the digital divide. David Freudberg / Human Media Millions disconnected: Isolation, less groceries, missed appointments We're still untangling the impacts of the ACP's end. Just how many people lost their internet connection as a result is the subject of some debate. Census data released last September indicated that 6 million Americans added internet subscriptions after the ACP was introduced in 2022. Then-FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel told Congress in November 2023 that between 20% and 22% of ACP subscribers had no internet subscription before the ACP. That translates to about 4.5 million households. Wherever the number lies exactly, we know that many millions of people crossed the broadband divide because of the ACP. But how many of them fell back in once the program ended? In a survey taken in its dying days, about 13% of ACP subscribers, or roughly 3 million households, said they would cancel their service after the subsidy ran out. (Another report predicted the number would be twice as high.) Those projections are no longer theoretical. A recent Ookla report found that the broadband divide grew in 32 states in the second half of 2024, which lines up almost exactly with the ACP's end. (Disclaimer: Ookla is owned by Ziff Davis, the same company that owns CNET.) 'We suspect that some of this [broadband divide] was attributed to the ACP ending,' Sue Marek, editorial director at Ookla and author of the report, told CNET's Cierra Noffke in a previous interview. They're going back to what they were doing before, which is using their phones as a hotspot, using their neighbor's connection if they can, driving or walking to the library or Starbucks. Kami Griffiths, executive director of digitalLIFT ISPs have also noted losses since the ACP ended, even though many offered their own discounted plans for low-income customers. Spectrum attributed around 200,000 lost subscribers to the end of the program, while Xfinity shed around 79,000. Melvin Lewis, a retired musician who lives alone in Pittsburgh and was enrolled in the ACP, said he would only cancel his internet as a last resort. 'It's extremely important for me,' he said. 'I absolutely need this internet. It keeps me connected to the rest of the world.' For those ACP subscribers who couldn't afford to keep their internet connection, many are reverting to old strategies for getting online. 'It's really sad. People just can't afford it anymore,' said Kami Griffiths, executive director of the digital equity nonprofit digitalLIFT. 'They're going back to what they were doing before, which is using their phones as a hotspot, using their neighbor's connection if they can, driving or walking to the library or Starbucks.' Other options, but nothing as consistent Since it ended, many former ACP enrollees have switched to low-income internet plans offered directly by providers, which can be less reliable than a federal government subsidy. Karen Kama, a 68-year-old digital skills student with the Reading Public Library, told me that she uses Comcast's low-income plan, which is available to anyone who receives a social service benefit like Medicaid or public housing assistance. She said her monthly payment has already increased from $10 to $15 since she enrolled. 'If they go up again, I'm just going to have that shut off,' Kama said. 'I'm on a fixed income. I can't let nothing get out of hand. So if they go up again, then I'm just going to delete that, give them back their box and see if I can do something else.' Another issue with these plans is that they often don't allow you to participate if you have an outstanding balance on your account. 'If you lose your job and miss a bill, you're not eligible for their low-cost plan,' said Drew Garner, a director of policy engagement for the nonprofit Benton Institute for Broadband & Society. 'The existing low-cost plans are a drop in the bucket. The ACP was the real key.' What we would hear last summer, when we'd go to the Hill, was, 'Well, you know, since the ACP ran out of funding, we haven't heard from anyone.' No kidding, because they don't have a way to get in touch with you. Danielle Perry, board member with The National Lifeline Association Since the ACP ended, a number of cities and states have also created their own internet subsidies. Before the ACP ended, New York state began requiring internet providers to offer plans for low-income households starting at $15 a month, which the Supreme Court upheld in December 2024. Similar legislation is on the table in California, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota and Vermont. 'It's clearly on the minds of policymakers,' said Jake Varn, an associate manager with The Pew Charitable Trusts' broadband access initiative. 'There's generally a wave of recognition that affordability is a real, serious challenge.' But this piecemeal approach has its downsides, too. 'What New York has is an incredible solution,' Siefer said. 'But is that ideal that we do this, state-by-state? Absolutely not. We really need to have one solution across the country.' While there have been several ACP extension bills introduced over the past year, none of them have made it out of committee. Broadband funding generally doesn't grab headlines -- recent presidential social media posts aside -- and some observers think Congress has been content to let the issue peter out. 'What we would hear last summer, when we'd go to the Hill, was, 'Well, you know, since the ACP ran out of funding, we haven't heard from anyone,'' said Danielle Perry, a board member with the trade group The National Lifeline Association. 'No kidding, because they don't have a way to get in touch with you.' The vast majority of federal broadband spending goes toward expanding infrastructure in rural areas, not affordability. deepblue4you/Getty Images A loss of trust There have been a few glimmers of an ACP revival over the past year, but the community organizations I spoke with said it wouldn't be easy to re-engage those 23 million homes. 'It took a lot of work to get people signed up, and it took a lot of organizations putting their legitimacy on the line,' said Revati Prasad, executive director for the nonprofit Benton Institute for Broadband & Society. 'There's this loss of trust.' If this is so important, who's fighting for us to keep it? Melvin Lewis, former ACP user According to a (since-deleted) White House fact sheet, 1 in 4 households participating in the ACP program were Black, 1 in 4 were Latino and nearly half were military families, along with 4 million seniors and 10 million Americans over the age of 50. Melvin Lewis, the retired musician in Pittsburgh, initially got enrolled in the ACP through Computer Reach, a local nonprofit working to close the digital divide. 'How it was sold to me was like, this is for older people, people in the rural areas, and it's especially important for us to have,' he said. 'Then they just take it away. If this is so important, who's fighting for us to keep it?' This was echoed in my conversations with people on the ground who worked to enroll ACP users. Getting people signed up was a huge undertaking, and there's no guarantee that it would be as successful a second time around. 'They stuck their necks out for the program. They were trusted messengers,' said Daiquiri Ryan Mercado, strategic legal adviser and policy counsel for the National Hispanic Media Coalition. 'And then it kind of just ended with a very short off-ramp period.' 'Can't live without it' Each of those 23 million ACP users has a unique story, but a common theme emerged in my conversations: the internet was essential for them, and they were willing to make big sacrifices to stay online. When I asked Phyllis Jackson whether she ever thought about canceling her internet after the ACP ended, she seemed shocked that I would even ask. 'Oh no! I can't live without it,' she said. 'I will find some way -- cutting down on food or heat or whatever. Because it's really necessary.' Dorothy Burrell, the digital navigator with Essential Families in Kansas City, gave me the same answer. 'Never. Never. You need it. You need the internet no matter what," she said. Melvin Lewis said he would only cancel his internet as a last resort. 'Internet is something you just absolutely have to have,' he said. 'It's like having lights or water or sewage. I don't know how people get along without it.' What other low-income internet options are available? There's no one resource that's been a substitute for the Affordable Connectivity Program, but there are several options available that can help low-income families pay for internet. Here's what's out there: Lifeline : This federal subsidy provides $9.25 per month toward phone or internet services, but the income requirements are lower than the ACP's: 135% of the federal poverty guideline, or $43,402 for a family of four. You can also qualify if you participate in Federal Public Housing Assistance, Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Supplemental Security Income, Tribal-specific programs or the Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit Programs. : This federal subsidy provides $9.25 per month toward phone or internet services, but the income requirements are lower than the ACP's: 135% of the federal poverty guideline, or $43,402 for a family of four. You can also qualify if you participate in Federal Public Housing Assistance, Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Supplemental Security Income, Tribal-specific programs or the Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit Programs. State and local resources: Many states and cities created their own low-income internet subsidies after the ACP ended. The best way to find local programs is by searching "[location] internet resources" in Google. You can also use CNET's guide to low-income internet options in all 50 states. Many states and cities created their own low-income internet subsidies after the ACP ended. The best way to find local programs is by searching "[location] internet resources" in Google. You can also use CNET's guide to low-income internet options in all 50 states. Low-income plans from internet providers: Many internet providers had their own discounted plans before the ACP, and they started offering them again after it ended. The National Digital Inclusion Alliance, a nonprofit dedicated to closing the digital divide, developed a scoring system called Grading Internet for Good based on factors like cost, transparency and plan performance. You can see these ratings in the table below, along with some basic information about each plan. To find which providers are available in your area, put in your address on the FCC's broadband map. This will give you a list of every provider that serves your home. To see what plans are available, you'll have to enter your address on each provider's website individually.
CNET
27-05-2025
- Business
- CNET
The ACP "Saved My Life": The Human Cost of Losing the Affordable Connectivity Program One Year Later
"The ACP program really saved my life," said Dorothy Burrell, a 55-year-old from Kansas City. Burrell was one of the 23 million Americans enrolled in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), a pandemic-era fund that helped low-income households pay for internet access. These days, Burrell teaches computer skills at the digital advocacy nonprofit Essential Families, but when day-to-day life went online during the pandemic, she suddenly found herself stranded without an internet connection. 'Because I have lupus, it was hard for me,' Burrell said. 'My pastor had to come and put the food outside for me when I couldn't even video her, to talk to her, to let her know, or keep in touch with my family and loved ones.' Former ACP enrollees have had to make a number of compromises to keep their internet on since it ended a year ago. A January survey from the National Lifeline Association found that nearly 40% of people enrolled in the program said they had to reduce spending on food to afford their new internet bill. 41% cut back on necessities like clothing, heat and doctor's visits. Another 18% said their kids had difficulty completing homework assignments. Locating local internet providers I believe truly that it was the most successful program we've ever had anywhere in our decades-long bipartisan effort to crack the digital divide. FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks But the number that stuck out to me the most was the 64% who said they're unable to maintain regular contact with family and loved ones. That was something I heard echoed by nearly every ACP user I spoke with for this piece: life without an internet connection can be incredibly isolating. 'I live alone, and the computer's like my best friend," said Phyllis Jackson, a retired administrative assistant in Monroeville, Pennsylvania. 'I listen to YouTube a lot. I check my emails a lot. I'm constantly on there.' The ACP provided $30 a month to help low-income households pay for an internet connection, or $75 for people living on Tribal lands. The program accepted households at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines, or $60,000 for a family of four. Prices to get online have only gone up since it ended, with 63% of customers reporting higher internet bills than the year before in a recent CNET survey. Despite broad bipartisan support from voters -- and from former senator, now-Vice President J.D. Vance, who co-sponsored a bill in 2024 to extend the ACP -- the program officially ran out of money one year ago. Starting in June 2024, ACP users were faced with a stark choice: find an extra $30 in their monthly budget or cut the cord on their internet connection entirely. 'It was just a sad moment,' Burrell said. 'I was praying that they'd let us keep it. But it was over.' In my seven years covering the broadband industry, I've heard over and over from experts that the reason most people don't have an internet connection isn't because it's unavailable -- it's just too expensive. The ACP was the first time the federal government seriously addressed the affordability side of the equation. 'It was a matter of having consistent access to the internet,' said Angela Siefer, executive director of the National Digital Inclusion Alliance. 'Internet access is not a 'you have it or you don't have it.' It's, 'Do you have what you need all the time, so that it is available when you need it?'' But that investment in affordability paled in comparison to the money devoted to expanding infrastructure. Of the $90 billion Congress devoted to closing the broadband divide in 2021, the ACP only accounted for $14.2 billion; the rest went to expanding internet access in primarily rural areas. 'The ACP was the most effective program I have ever seen for helping low-income Americans get online and stay online," said FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks at a roundtable hosted by Broadband Breakfast in February. 'In fact, I believe truly that it was the most successful program we've ever had anywhere in our decades-long bipartisan effort to crack the digital divide.' That's no exaggeration. One analysis by the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society found that a dollar spent on the ACP returns nearly two dollars in impacts to those using the program. Another study from The Brattle Group determined that the ACP generated nearly $30 billion in annual savings through improved access to telehealth services alone. In some ways, the ACP was a victim of its own success. Because it was a one-time appropriation, the subsidy was gone once the money was spent, and the outpouring of Americans signing up was beyond what anyone predicted. Internet service providers began notifying recipients in January last year that they'd lose the discount; by June, it was gone. Melvin Lewis was enrolled in the ACP through Computer Reach, a Pittsburgh-based nonprofit working to close the digital divide. David Freudberg / Human Media Millions disconnected: Isolation, less groceries, missed appointments We're still untangling the impacts of the ACP's end. Just how many people lost their internet connection as a result is the subject of some debate. Census data released last September indicated that 6 million Americans added internet subscriptions after the ACP was introduced in 2022. Then-FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel told Congress in November 2023 that between 20% and 22% of ACP subscribers had no internet subscription before the ACP. That translates to about 4.5 million households. Wherever the number lies exactly, we know that many millions of people crossed the broadband divide because of the ACP. But how many of them fell back in once the program ended? In a survey taken in its dying days, about 13% of ACP subscribers, or roughly three million households, said they would cancel their service after the subsidy ran out. (Another report predicted the number would be twice as high.) Those projections are no longer theoretical. A recent Ookla report found that the broadband divide grew in 32 states in the second half of 2024, which lines up almost exactly with the ACP's end. (Disclaimer: Ookla is owned by Ziff Davis, the same company that owns CNET.) 'We suspect that some of this [broadband divide] was attributed to the ACP ending,' Sue Marek, editorial director at Ookla and author of the report, told CNET's Cierra Noffke in a previous interview. They're going back to what they were doing before, which is using their phones as a hotspot, using their neighbor's connection if they can, driving or walking to the library or Starbucks. Kami Griffiths, executive director of digitalLIFT ISPs have also noted losses since the ACP ended, even though many offered their own discounted plans for low-income customers. Spectrum attributed around 200,000 lost subscribers to the end of the program, while Xfinity shed around 79,000. Melvin Lewis, a retired musician who lives alone in Pittsburgh and was enrolled in the ACP, said he would only cancel his internet as a last resort. 'It's extremely important for me,' he said. 'I absolutely need this internet. It keeps me connected to the rest of the world.' For those ACP subscribers who couldn't afford to keep their internet connection, many are reverting to old strategies for getting online. 'It's really sad. People just can't afford it anymore,' said Kami Griffiths, executive director of the digital equity nonprofit digitalLIFT. 'They're going back to what they were doing before, which is using their phones as a hotspot, using their neighbor's connection if they can, driving or walking to the library or Starbucks.' Other options, but nothing as consistent Since it ended, many former ACP enrollees have switched to low-income internet plans offered directly by providers, which can be less reliable than a federal government subsidy. Karen Kama, a 68-year-old digital skills student with the Reading Public Library, told me that she uses Comcast's low-income plan, which is available to anyone who receives a social service benefit like Medicaid or public housing assistance. She said her monthly payment has already increased from $10 to $15 since she enrolled. 'If they go up again, I'm just going to have that shut off,' Kama said. 'I'm on a fixed income. I can't let nothing get out of hand. So if they go up again, then I'm just going to delete that, give them back their box and see if I can do something else.' Another issue with these plans is that they often don't allow you to participate if you have an outstanding balance on your account. 'If you lose your job and miss a bill, you're not eligible for their low-cost plan,' said Drew Garner, a director of policy engagement for the nonprofit Benton Institute for Broadband & Society. 'The existing low-cost plans are a drop in the bucket. The ACP was the real key.' What we would hear last summer, when we'd go to the Hill, was, 'Well, you know, since the ACP ran out of funding, we haven't heard from anyone.' No kidding, because they don't have a way to get in touch with you. Danielle Perry, board member with The National Lifeline Association Since the ACP ended, a number of cities and states have also created their own internet subsidies. Before the ACP ended, New York state began requiring internet providers to offer plans for low-income households starting at $15 a month, which the Supreme Court upheld in December 2024. Similar legislation is on the table in California, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota and Vermont. 'It's clearly on the minds of policymakers,' said Jake Varn, an associate manager with The Pew Charitable Trusts' broadband access initiative. 'There's generally a wave of recognition that affordability is a real, serious challenge.' But this piecemeal approach has its downsides, too. 'What New York has is an incredible solution,' Siefer said. 'But is that ideal that we do this, state-by-state? Absolutely not. We really need to have one solution across the country.' While there have been several ACP extension bills introduced over the past year, none of them have made it out of committee. Broadband funding generally doesn't grab headlines -- recent Presidential social media posts aside -- and some observers think Congress has been content to let the issue peter out. 'What we would hear last summer, when we'd go to the Hill, was, 'Well, you know, since the ACP ran out of funding, we haven't heard from anyone,'' said Danielle Perry, a board member with the trade group The National Lifeline Association. 'No kidding, because they don't have a way to get in touch with you.' The vast majority of federal broadband spending goes toward expanding infrastructure in rural areas, not affordability. deepblue4you / Getty Images A loss of trust There have been a few glimmers of an ACP revival over the past year, but the community organizations I spoke with said it wouldn't be easy to re-engage those 23 million homes. 'It took a lot of work to get people signed up, and it took a lot of organizations putting their legitimacy on the line,' said Revati Prasad, executive director for the nonprofit Benton Institute for Broadband & Society. 'There's this loss of trust.' If this is so important, who's fighting for us to keep it? Melvin Lewis, former ACP user According to a (since-deleted) White House fact sheet, one in four households participating in the ACP program were Black, one in four were Latino and nearly half were military families, along with 4 million seniors and 10 million Americans over the age of 50. Melvin Lewis, the retired musician in Pittsburgh, initially got enrolled in the ACP through Computer Reach, a local nonprofit working to close the digital divide. 'How it was sold to me was like, this is for older people, people in the rural areas, and it's especially important for us to have,' he said. 'Then they just take it away. If this is so important, who's fighting for us to keep it?' This was echoed in my conversations with people on the ground who worked to enroll ACP users. Getting people signed up was a huge undertaking, and there's no guarantee that it would be as successful a second time around. 'They stuck their necks out for the program. They were trusted messengers,' said Daiquiri Ryan Mercado, strategic legal adviser and policy counsel for the National Hispanic Media Coalition. 'And then it kind of just ended with a very short off-ramp period.' 'Can't live without it' Each of those 23 million ACP users has a unique story, but a common theme emerged in my conversations: the internet was essential for them, and they were willing to make big sacrifices to stay online. When I asked Phyllis Jackson whether she ever thought about canceling her internet after the ACP ended, she seemed shocked that I would even ask. 'Oh no! I can't live without it,' she said. 'I will find some way -- cutting down on food or heat or whatever. Because it's really necessary.' Dorothy Burrell, the digital navigator with Essential Families in Kansas City, gave me the same answer. 'Never. Never. You need it. You need the internet no matter what," she said. Melvin Lewis said he would only cancel his internet as a last resort. 'Internet is something you just absolutely have to have,' he said. 'It's like having lights or water or sewage. I don't know how people get along without it.' What other low-income internet options are available? There's no one resource that's been a substitute for the Affordable Connectivity Program, but there are several options available that can help low-income families pay for internet. Here's what's out there: Lifeline : This federal subsidy provides $9.25 per month toward phone or internet services, but the income requirements are lower than the ACP's: 135% of or $43,402 for a family of four. You can also qualify if you participate in Federal Public Housing Assistance, Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Supplemental Security Income, Tribal-specific programs or the Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit Programs. : This federal subsidy provides $9.25 per month toward phone or internet services, but the income requirements are lower than the ACP's: 135% of or $43,402 for a family of four. You can also qualify if you participate in Federal Public Housing Assistance, Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Supplemental Security Income, Tribal-specific programs or the Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit Programs. State and local resources: Many states and cities created their own low-income internet subsidies after the ACP ended. The best way to find local programs is by searching "[location] internet resources" in Google. You can also use CNET's guide to low-income internet options in all 50 states. Many states and cities created their own low-income internet subsidies after the ACP ended. The best way to find local programs is by searching "[location] internet resources" in Google. You can also use CNET's guide to low-income internet options in all 50 states. Low-income plans from internet providers: Many internet providers had their own discounted plans before the ACP, and they started offering them again after it ended. The National Digital Inclusion Alliance, a nonprofit dedicated to closing the digital divide, developed a scoring system called Grading Internet for Good based on factors like cost, transparency and plan performance. You can see these ratings in the table below, along with some basic information about each plan. To find which providers are available in your area, put in your address on the FCC's broadband map. This will give you a list of every provider that serves your home. To see what plans are available, you'll have to enter your address on each provider's website individually.
