You might be missing out on discounted internet and not even realize it.
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) provides up to $30 per month toward broadband service for eligible households.
The country’s largest internet carriers also run plans priced at $30 or less per month for qualifying households — which means many families can access high-speed internet at no cost.
More than 17 million households are currently getting discounts through the program, according to an April 2023 statement from the Federal Communications Commission.
The government believes millions more households qualify but haven’t enrolled yet.
Could your household be one of them?
What Does the Affordable Connectivity Program Include?
Through the Affordable Connectivity Program, eligible households can receive a discount up to $30 a month (or up to $75 a month for residents on tribal lands) for home internet or mobile broadband service.
Households may also get a one-time discount of up to $100 toward a computer or tablet.
The program is estimated to save Americans roughly $500 million each month on internet access through discounted plans, subsidies and price reductions, according to the White House.
Who Is Eligible for Discounted Internet?
There are two primary ways to become eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program:
- Your household income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty guideline.
- Someone in your household is enrolled in certain government assistance programs.
You may qualify for the ACP if you or a household member participates in any of these programs:
- Medicaid
- Free or reduced-price school lunch program or school breakfast program
- Federal Pell Grant (awarded in the current award year)
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Lifeline program
- Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
- Veterans pension and survivors benefit
- Certain tribal assistance programs
The table below shows the income thresholds for the program by household size. Income limits are slightly higher for Alaska and Hawaii residents.
ACP Household Income Limits
| Household Size | 200% of Poverty Guidelines |
|---|---|
| 1 | $29,160 |
| 2 | $39,440 |
| 3 | $49,720 |
| 4 | $60,000 |
| 5 | $70,280 |
| 6 | $80,560 |
| 7 | $90,840 |
| 8 | $101,120 |
How to Enroll in the Affordable Connectivity Program
The government portal GetInternet.gov explains how to apply for the ACP and locate a participating provider near you.
On the site’s main page you can check eligibility and begin an application.
The application is straightforward, though you’ll be asked to provide some personal details such as your Social Security number or driver’s license number.
The site also outlines how to submit an ACP application by mail.
After Your Application Is Approved
After approval, you can pick a provider that accepts the ACP monthly discount and enroll in service.
You’ll need to contact a participating internet service provider, tell them you’ve applied for the ACP and select a plan. The provider will then apply the benefit to your account.
Participating plans are required to offer download speeds of at least 100 Mbps.
More than 1,300 internet service providers participate in the ACP. Use this lookup tool to find contact details for providers in your area.
If you apply the ACP benefit to one of these plans, you should face no out-of-pocket charges, no extra fees and no data caps on your bill.
Note that a participating provider might ask you to complete its own application process.
Several major carriers — including AT&T, Comcast and Cox Communications — are among the many providers offering at least one high-speed plan priced at $30 a month or less.
One-Time Help With a Laptop
Households that qualify for discounted internet through the Affordable Connectivity Program can also receive up to $100 toward a one-time purchase of a desktop, laptop or tablet.
To get this device credit, a household must chip in at least $10 but no more than $50 toward the purchase through a participating broadband provider.
Additional Details and How to Reach Support
The Affordable Connectivity Program does not impose asset limits like some other assistance programs.
ACP subsidies aren’t counted as income for eligibility calculations for other government benefits. Receiving an ACP benefit won’t affect a family’s qualification for other assistance programs, such as Section 8 housing.
The ACP is financed by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, signed into law in November 2021. That law converted the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) into the permanent Affordable Connectivity Program.
Recently, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration announced more than $175 million in new funding to 61 minority-serving institutions to support broadband infrastructure, buy equipment and provide digital skills training for IT personnel.
For more details about the Affordable Connectivity Program, call the support center at 877-384-2575. It operates seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET. You can also email support@affordableconnectivity.gov.
Alex Morgan is a Certified Educator in Personal Finance and a former senior writer for Savinly. Alex covers retirement, investing, taxes and life insurance
