The Affordable Connectivity Program, which helps more than 23 million U.S. households access the internet, is set to end when funding runs out at the end of April. Once the program expires, a former participant’s internet bill could increase by $30 to $75 per month.
The loss of ACP will have a disproportionate impact on some demographics. According to Benenson Strategy Group, 41% of ACP participants live in the South and 49% are from military families. 95% of participants said that ending the program would result in financial hardship.
If the program is not extended, ACP participants will need to find other options for affordable home internet. While there is no single alternative to his $14.2 billion ACP, there are several government programs, nonprofits, and provider discount plans that can ease the transition.
life line
Lifeline is a federal subsidy that provides low-income households with $9.25 per month for a home internet or cell phone plan. The eligibility requirements are a little more stringent than his ACP. Your income must be less than 135% of the federal poverty guidelines, or $40,500 for a family of four.
Lifeline income requirements
| household size | 48 mainland states, DCs and territories | alaska | Hawaii |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $19,683 | $24,584 | $22,640 |
| 2 | $26,622 | $33,264 | $30,618 |
| 3 | $33,561 | $41,945 | $38,597 |
| Four | $40,500 | $50,625 | $46,575 |
| Five | $47,439 | $59,306 | $54,554 |
| 6 | $54,378 | $67,986 | $62,532 |
| 7 | $61,317 | $76,667 | $70,511 |
| 8 | $68,256 | $85,347 | $78,489 |
| For each additional person, add: | $6,939 | $8,681 | $7,979 |
See more (5 results)
buy provider with my address
You can also get Lifeline if you (or someone you live with) participates in any of the following programs:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly known as food stamps)
- medicaid
- Supplemental Securities Income (SSI)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
- Veterans pension and survivor benefits
If you live in California, Oregon, or Texas, you’ll need to 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 households pay their internet bills. For example, California has a website that lets you search for affordable options by zip code based on various eligibility criteria, and Oregon offers an enhanced Lifeline benefit of $19.25 per month.
Cities like Chicago offer free internet to families attending Chicago public schools and eligible city colleges through the Chicago Connected 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 close the digital divide.
Low-income programs offered by internet providers
Many internet providers, including AT&T, Spectrum, and Xfinity, offer unique discount plans for low-income households. Requirements vary, but are generally similar to ACP, including meeting certain income requirements or participating in a federal program such as SNAP or the National School Lunch Program.
internet provider discounts
See more (6 results)
buy provider with my address
To see which providers are available in your area, enter your address into the FCC’s Broadband Map.
non-profit organization
There are many nonprofit organizations across the country that aim to bridge the digital divide. Some services will subsidize your monthly internet costs, while others will provide you with a device to connect to the internet. All of these organizations have nonprofit status from the IRS and are vetted by watchdog organizations like Charity Navigator and Guidestar.org.
- connect everything: Connect All, part of the InterConnection nonprofit organization, provides refurbished computers to low-income users. Eligibility requirements are similar to those for ACP. If you participate in a federal program like SNAP or SSI, you will automatically qualify for a device.
- with everyone:EveryoneOn is one of the most widely active Internet nonprofit organizations. Use our locator tool to find low-cost plans and computers in your area, enroll in digital skills courses, and find local events to distribute devices.
- Human IT: This nonprofit accepts donations from businesses, refurbishing devices, and selling them at discounted prices to veterans, low-income families, seniors, and other eligible groups. We also offer low-cost internet via mobile hotspot devices for less than $30 per month.
- Bringing the Internet to Everyone: This is an initiative of the nonprofit California Emerging Technology Fund (CETF) to help Californians find low-cost plans in their area. Californians can call and speak with a trained professional, but the website has resources available to everyone in the country.
- National Digital Inclusion Alliance: The NDIA is a well-known research and policy hub aimed at closing the digital divide, and while we don’t provide low-cost access to the internet itself, we are a resource to help you navigate what’s out there. You can also use this map of his NDIA affiliates offering broadband deployment services to see what’s available in your area.
Check out other internet plans in your area
If your bill increases significantly due to ACP termination, you may have the option of finding another internet provider in your area. Most ISPs offer plans for less than $50 per month, and you can often find additional discounts by bundling with your cell phone plan or signing an annual contract.
Purchasing your own equipment can also save you additional monthly costs. It usually costs about $15 to rent a modem and router from your internet provider, but you can also buy one yourself for as little as $100, especially if you use refurbished equipment. However, before purchasing, you should make sure that your modem is compatible with your provider.
