Where to Find Subsidized Internet Service

The main source of low-cost internet for low-income households is the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), run by the Federal Communications Commission. It provides a monthly subsidy of up to $30 toward your internet bill—or up to $75 if you live on tribal land. You use the subsidy with a participating internet service provider in your area; the provider deducts it from your bill.

The program is open to households at or below 200% of the federal poverty line. For a single person, that is roughly $28,860 per year; for a family of four, roughly $59,160. Income limits vary slightly by state. You do not need to be a U.S. citizen, but you must have a valid Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number.

A second option is Lifeline, a separate FCC program that subsidizes either internet or phone service (not both) for $9.25 per month. Lifeline is available to households at or below 135% of the federal poverty line—lower than ACP. Some states add their own income-based programs on top of these federal ones.

Key Takeaways

  • The Affordable Connectivity Program covers up to $30 per month of your internet bill if your household income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty line.
  • You must enroll with a participating internet provider in your area; the subsidy is applied directly to your monthly bill, not sent to you as cash.
  • Lifeline offers $9.25 per month for either internet or phone service if your income is at or below 135% of the federal poverty line.
  • Both programs require proof of income and a valid Social Security number or ITIN; documentation needed varies by provider and state.
  • Enrollment happens through your chosen internet provider or by phone; there is no separate federal process portal.

How to Enroll in the Affordable Connectivity Program

Start by visiting the FCC's ACP website or calling 1-877-384-2575 to find participating providers in your zip code. Not every internet company takes ACP, so this step tells you which ones do. Once you have a list, contact the provider directly—by phone, online, or in person at a local store.

When you contact the provider, tell them you want to enroll in ACP. They will ask you to provide proof of income and your Social Security number or ITIN. Acceptable income documents include a recent tax return, a pay stub, a benefits letter from Social Security or unemployment, a lease or mortgage statement, or a utility bill in your name. The provider will verify your information and enroll you if you meet the income threshold.

Once enrolled, the subsidy is applied to your next bill. You pay the provider the discounted rate (their regular price minus the $30 or $75 subsidy). If the provider's service costs less than the subsidy amount, you pay nothing. If it costs more, you pay the difference. There is no separate payment to the government.

What Documents You Will Need

For the Affordable Connectivity Program, bring one document that shows your household income from the past 30 days or the past year. A recent pay stub works best for current income. If you receive benefits, bring the letter from the agency—Social Security, unemployment, SNAP, housing information, or Medicaid. If you are self-employed or have no regular income, a recent tax return is acceptable.

You will also need to provide your Social Security number or ITIN. If you do not have either, you cannot enroll in ACP, though you may still be able to use Lifeline through a different process.

For Lifeline, the income documentation is the same, but the process is different. You enroll through a Lifeline provider (which may be an internet company, a phone company, or a community organization), and some states allow you to self-certify your income by signing a form rather than submitting documents. Check your state's Lifeline program rules to see what applies where you live.

Participating Internet Providers and Service Levels

Participating ACP providers vary by region. Common national providers include Comcast Xfinity, Charter Spectrum, Verizon Fios, AT&T, T-Mobile Home Internet, and Starry. Smaller regional providers and some community broadband networks also participate. The FCC website lists all of them by zip code.

The speed and data limits of the service you receive depend on what the provider offers under ACP. Some providers offer unlimited data; others cap it at 500 GB or 1 TB per month. Speeds range from 25 Mbps to 1 Gbps depending on the provider and what is available in your area. You do not get to choose the speed—you get what that provider offers on their ACP plan.

If you already have internet service with a provider that participates in ACP, you can often enroll without switching. Contact your current provider and ask if they take ACP. If they do, you can explore through them. If they do not, you will need to switch to a participating provider to use the subsidy.

Income Limits and How They Are Calculated

For the Affordable Connectivity Program, your household income must be at or below 200% of the federal poverty line. The poverty line is set by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and changes each year. For 2024, 200% of the poverty line is approximately $28,860 for a single person, $39,120 for a family of two, $49,380 for a family of three, and $59,640 for a family of four. These amounts increase by roughly $10,000 to $12,000 for each additional household member.

Your household includes everyone living with you who is related to you or depends on your income. It does not include roommates who pay their own share of rent and have no financial tie to you. When you explore, the provider will ask how many people live in your household and will verify your income against the limit for that household size.

Lifeline uses 135% of the poverty line instead. For 2024, that is roughly $19,380 for a single person and $40,000 for a family of four. If your income is above the ACP limit but below the Lifeline limit, you may still be able to use Lifeline for phone or internet service.

What Happens If You Lose may be able to access or Move

If your income rises above the limit, you are no longer may be able to access for ACP. The provider will eventually verify your income again—usually once per year—and will end your subsidy if you no longer may have access to. You can continue to pay for internet service at the full price, or you can switch to a different provider.

If you move to a new address, tell your current provider. They will check whether they serve your new location. If they do, your service and subsidy can usually move with you. If they do not, you will need to find a new participating provider in your new area and enroll with them. You will need to provide income documentation again.

If you receive a notice that your subsidy has ended, contact the provider to find out why. It may be because your income was verified as too high, because you did not respond to a verification request, or because the program itself ran out of funding. If funding ran out, you may be able to re-enroll when it is restored.

Other Low-Cost Internet Options

If you do not meet the income limit for ACP or Lifeline, or if no participating provider serves your area, some internet companies offer low-cost plans directly. Comcast offers internet-only service at roughly $10 to $15 per month in some areas for low-income households, though availability is limited. Charter Spectrum has a similar program. These are not subsidies—they are discounted rates the company offers directly.

Community broadband networks and local nonprofits sometimes offer free or very low-cost internet in specific neighborhoods. Check with your city or county government, your local library, or a community center to see what is available in your area. Some libraries offer free public Wi-Fi and computers you can use on-site.

Mobile hotspots from T-Mobile, Verizon, or AT&T can serve as backup internet if you have a smartphone plan. Some plans include hotspot data at no extra cost. This is not a replacement for home internet if you need it for work or school, but it can help in a pinch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use ACP with a mobile hotspot instead of home internet?

The Affordable Connectivity Program is designed for home internet service, not mobile hotspots. However, some providers offer fixed wireless access—a home internet service delivered over cellular networks—which does may have access to for ACP. T-Mobile Home Internet and Verizon 5G Home are examples. Check whether your provider offers this type of service in your area.

What if I do not have a Social Security number?

You cannot enroll in the Affordable Connectivity Program without a Social Security number or ITIN. Lifeline has different rules by state; some states allow enrollment without an SSN or ITIN, while others require one. Contact your state's Lifeline administrator or a local community organization to learn what applies where you live.

Do I have to pay anything upfront to enroll?

No. There is no enrollment fee, process fee, or deposit for ACP or Lifeline. The subsidy is applied to your bill starting the month after you enroll. If the provider's service costs less than the subsidy, you pay nothing. If it costs more, you pay only the difference.

Can I switch providers if I am already enrolled in ACP?

Yes. If you want to switch to a different participating provider, you can enroll with the new provider and they will explore the subsidy to your account. You will need to provide income documentation again. Cancel your service with the old provider once the new service is active to avoid paying for both.

What happens to my subsidy if the program runs out of money?

If ACP funding is exhausted, your subsidy will end and you will pay the full price for internet service. The program has faced funding shortages in the past. If this happens, you can remain on the provider's service at full price, switch to a different provider, or wait to see if funding is restored and you can re-enroll.