The Affordable Connectivity Program, which helps more than 23 million U.S. households afford internet access, will end at the end of April when it runs out of funds. Once the plan expires, previous participants may see their internet bills increase by $30 to $75 per month.
The loss of ACP will disproportionately impact certain populations. According to Benenson Strategy Group, 41 percent of ACP participants are from the South and 49 percent are from military families. 95% of participants said the end of the program would cause financial hardship.
If the program is not extended, ACP participants will need to find other affordable home internet options. No single alternative can replace the $14.2 billion ACP, but there are multiple government programs, nonprofits, and provider discount programs that can help ease the transition.
lifeline
Lifeline is a federal subsidy that provides low-income families with a home Internet or cell phone plan for $9.25 per month. The qualification requirements are slightly more stringent than ACP. Your income must be less than 135% of the federal poverty level, which is $40,500 for a family of four.
Lifeline Income Requirements
| house size | 48 contiguous states, territories and territories | Alaska | hawaii |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $19,683 | $24,584 USD | $22,640 |
| 2 | $26,622 USD | $33,264 | $30,618 |
| 3 | $33,561 | $41,945 | $38,597 USD |
| 4 | $40,500 | $50,625 | $46,575 |
| 5 | $47,439 | $59,306 | $54,554 |
| 6 | $54,378 | $67,986 | $62,532 |
| 7 | $61,317 | $76,667 | $70,511 |
| 8 | $68,256 | $85,347 | $78,489 |
| For each additional person, add: | $6,939 USD | $8,681 | $7,979 |
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You can also get a lifeline if you (or someone you live with) are on any of the following programs:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly food stamps)
- Medicaid
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
- Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefits
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 ACP to help low-income families pay for their internet. California, for example, has a website that allows you to search for affordable options in your zip code based on various eligibility criteria, while Oregon offers Enhanced Lifeline benefits for $19.25 per month.
Cities like Chicago offer free internet to families in Chicago Public Schools and eligible city colleges through its Chicago Connect program. The best way to find these resources is to go to Google and search for “[location] Internet resources. ”
You can also see how your state is using the $2.75 billion allocated in the Digital Equity Act to help close the digital divide.
Low-income plans for internet providers
Many internet providers have their own discount programs for low-income households, including AT&T, Spectrum and Xfinity. Requirements vary, but are generally similar to ACP: meet certain income requirements or participate in federal programs like SNAP or the National School Lunch Program.
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To determine which providers are available in your area, enter your address on the FCC’s broadband map.
Non-profit organizations
There are many nonprofits across the country whose goal is to bridge the digital divide. Some help you pay your monthly internet bills, while others provide devices to connect you to the internet. These organizations have received nonprofit status from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and are subject to review by regulatory agencies such as Charity Navigator and Guidestar.org:
- Connect all: Connect All, part of the InterConnection nonprofit organization, provides refurbished computers to low-income users. Eligibility requirements are similar to those for ACP: participation in a federal program such as SNAP or SSI automatically qualifies you for a device.
- everyone is here: EveryoneOn is one of the broadest nonprofit organizations on the Internet. You can use its locator tool to find low-cost plans and computers in your area, sign up for digital skills classes and find local events that distribute devices.
- Human IT: The nonprofit accepts corporate donations, refurbishes equipment and sells it at a discount to veterans, low-income families, seniors and other eligible groups. It also offers low-cost Internet service for less than $30 per month through its mobile hotspot devices.
- Internet now for everyone: This is an initiative of the nonprofit California Emerging Technology Fund (CETF) to help Californians find low-cost programs in their area. People in California can call and talk to trained experts, but the website has resources anyone in the country can use.
- National Alliance for Digital Inclusion: The NDIA is a renowned research and policy center aimed at bridging the digital divide, and while it does not provide low-cost internet itself, it is a useful resource for browsing what is available. You can also use the map of NDIA affiliates providing broadband adoption services to see what services are available in your area.
Explore other internet plans in your area
If your bill has gone up significantly with the end of ACP, another option is to search for other internet providers in your area. Most ISPs offer plans for under $50 per month, and you can often find additional discounts, such as bundling with a cell phone plan or signing an annual contract.
Buying your own equipment can also save you some extra money each month. It usually costs about $15 to rent a modem and router from an internet provider, but you can also buy your own for $100, especially if you use refurbished equipment. That said, you’ll want to make sure your modem is compatible with your provider before buying one.