All About the Affordable Connectivity Program

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a government program that helps low income Americans get broadband internet service. The program provides a discount of up to $30 per month on internet service and a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet.

In this article, we’ll review what the Affordable Connectivity Program is, how it can help you, and what you need to do to apply for it.

What is the Affordable Connectivity Program?

The Affordable Connectivity Program is a government program that subsidizes internet service for low income Americans. Those who qualify receive a $30 discount on their internet bill. When you use ACP with an existing low income internet plan, you could get your internet service completely free!

The ACP launched on January 1, 2022. The Investment in Infrastructure and Jobs Act allocated $14.2 billion to the ACP, which is designed to help close the digital divide and ensure that all Americans have access to affordable broadband internet service.

How does the ACP help?

The Affordable Connectivity Program helps low income families pay for internet service. You can receive a $30 discount on your internet service. If you’re on qualifying Tribal lands, you could receive up to $75 per month off your bill!

You can also get up to $100 off a qualifying device through this program.

Who is eligible for the ACP?

The ACP is open to households with incomes at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.

You may be considered categorically eligible for the ACP if you are currently receiving benefits from one of the following means-tested programs:

• Federal Pell Grants
• National School Lunch Program
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
• Medicaid
• Federal Housing Assistance (Section 8, Public Housing, etc.)
• Supplemental Security Income
• WIC
• Veterans Pension
• Veterans Survivor Benefits
• Lifeline
• Tribal TANF
• Tribal Head Start
• Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance

There are some important limitations to the eligibility for this program. In some cases, the eligibility limitations are actually quite harmful for low income families.

For example, only one Affordable Connectivity Program subsidy is available per household. If you are living with your parents or friends, only one of you can get a discount.

However, it’s important to remember that the ACP program defines a household as a group of people who live together and share money together. You have to be doing both things in order to count as a household. For example, if you live in an apartment with four roommates but you don’t share money together, each of you could receive the discount separately.

How do I apply for ACP?

There are three ways to apply for the ACP. The easiest way is to submit your application online using the official Affordable Connectivity Program website.

However, if you prefer, you can download the application from the website and mail it in. You can also apply in person at the office of a participating provider.

Once you are approved for the ACP, you will receive a benefit code. You’ll need to give that code to your internet provider so that they can apply the discount to your account.

What providers accept ACP subsidies?

There are many companies that accept Affordable Connectivity Program subsidies. These companies include:

• AT&T
• Better Broadband
• Boost Mobile
• Brightspeed
• Cathect Communications
• Clear Wireless
• Consolidated Communications
• Cox Communications
• Cricket Wireless
• Earthlink
• Frontier Communications
• GTel
• Hughes Network Systems
• Mediacom
• NextLink
• Nexus Telecom
• Optimum
• Public Wireless
• Spectrum / Charter Communications
• SprintFone
• TDS Telecommunications Corporation
• TruConnect Communications
• Verizon
• Viasat

There are literally hundreds of small local companies participating in the Affordable Connectivity Program as well. To find the best ACP provider in your area, use the zip code search function on the ACP website. Make sure to set the filters for ACP and not Lifeline.

How long will the Affordable Connectivity Program last?

Most experts expect the Affordable Connectivity Program to run out of funding sometime in 2024 unless additional steps are taken to provide more funding. That’s because the original authorization only set aside a specific amount of money to fund this program.

The program was not given a specific ending date. However, it is estimated that the original funding will run out sometime in early 2024. If that happens, the discounts will stop at that time.

Don’t forget Lifeline, too!

According to the FCC, you can receive benefits from the Affordable Connectivity Program and the Lifeline program at the same time. If you’re eligible for ACP, you’re likely eligible for Lifeline… and if you’re eligible for Lifeline, you’re automatically eligible for ACP. Don’t forget to apply for both!

You can combine these benefits to the same service or use them for separate services (for example, you could use your Lifeline service to get a free Safelink phone while also using the ACP program to get free internet through Mediacom).

Summary

The Affordable Connectivity Program is a valuable resource for low-income households that are struggling to afford broadband internet service. The program can help households save money on their internet bill and access the educational, employment, and healthcare opportunities that are increasingly reliant on broadband internet.

If you are a low-income household and you are struggling to afford broadband internet service, I encourage you to apply for the ACP. The program can help you save money on your internet bill and connect you to the digital world.

Low Income Relief Team

This article is the product of a team effort! Multiple authors from the Low Income Relief team have contributed to this post. We have also used AI tools to organize data and refine the writing in accordance with our Responsible AI Use Policy. All articles on our website are reviewed by our founder and resident poverty expert, Nicole Thelin, prior to publication.