Where Things Stand
The biggest federal program, the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), stopped accepting new applications and ended its monthly discounts in 2024 when Congress did not approve additional funding. As of 2026, no nationwide replacement with the same benefit has been signed into law. That reality left many families wondering what comes next, and the answer involves a mix of federal, state, and private-sector solutions.
One federal program remains firmly in place. Lifeline, administered by the FCC through the Universal Service Administrative Company, still provides a monthly discount on broadband and voice service for qualifying low-income households. You typically qualify through income or through participation in programs such as Medicaid, SNAP, Federal Public Housing Assistance, Supplemental Security Income, or the Veterans Pension Benefit. Many states and local governments also run their own broadband assistance efforts, and the major internet providers have stepped in with dedicated low-cost tiers.
Your Options for Lower Internet Costs
The Lifeline Federal Discount
The Lifeline benefit remains the anchor of government assistance. Eligibility checks are done through the FCC's National Verifier, and the discount applies directly to your monthly bill. It is modest, but it is consistent, and it can be combined with many provider plans. Tribal lands receive a higher monthly benefit under separate rules.
Provider Low-Cost Plans
The most practical step for most households is a provider's own affordable tier. These plans are not government programs, but they are designed for households that qualify for assistance, and they have become the de facto replacement for the ACP:
- AT&T Access offers discounted home internet for eligible households, including AT&T Internet Air and Fiber options. In some states, eligible customers can get Internet Air for $15 per month or less, and AT&T also applies a monthly discount on Internet Air for qualified households. All Access plans include a Wi-Fi modem and installation with no deposit and no annual contract.
- Comcast Internet Essentials expanded its eligibility in late 2025, with tiers at 75 Mbps and 100 Mbps, unlimited data, no overage charges, and no price increases. A low-cost computer is also available to participants. Comcast also offers its NOW prepaid option for customers at every price point.
- Spectrum, Cox, Verizon, T-Mobile, and regional providers each maintain their own low-income home internet plans, with terms varying by state and service area.
State and Local Resources
Because federal replacement funding is still uncertain, many states have built their own safety nets. Some states fund monthly discounts through universal service or digital equity funds, others partner with libraries and community colleges to distribute hotspots and devices, and several run digital navigator programs that help residents apply for the right plan at their address. Your state's public utilities commission or broadband office is the best place to start, and a quick search for "state broadband assistance [your state]" usually surfaces the relevant page.
How the Main Options Compare
| Program | Type | Typical Monthly Cost | Best For | Advantages | Limitations |
|---|
| Lifeline | Federal discount | Monthly discount off bill | Seniors and low-income households | Reliable, combines with provider plans, verifies via National Verifier | Modest benefit; approval required |
| AT&T Access | Provider plan | From about $15/month in some states | Households in AT&T service areas | No contract, no deposit, modem and installation included | Availability varies by address |
| Comcast Internet Essentials | Provider plan | Two tiers with unlimited data | Families with children and seniors | No price increases, no overage charges, low-cost computer option | Requires eligibility and a Comcast service area |
| State broadband programs | State and local | Varies by state | Residents of states with active programs | Local support and digital navigators | Not available in every state |
| Library and community programs | Community | Often minimal | Anyone needing public access | Convenient, no contract | Not a home connection |
Prices and terms change frequently, so confirm current details with the provider or state office before applying.
Steps to Get Connected for Less
Start by checking whether anyone in your household participates in a qualifying program like SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, or the Veterans Pension Benefit, since that often fast-tracks eligibility for both Lifeline and provider plans. Then visit the Lifeline program's official application page or the National Verifier to start the federal process. In parallel, enter your address on your provider's affordable plan page, or check the state broadband office website, to see which options actually reach your home. Some providers let existing customers apply the new price to their current service with a single phone call, which can be the quickest route.
You do not need to navigate this alone. Many libraries offer digital navigators who walk residents through the application process in person, and several community colleges run similar assistance. If a household is being asked to choose between food, medicine, and a connection, these programs exist specifically to remove that trade-off.
The loss of the ACP was a genuine setback for families across the country, but the landscape in 2026 is not empty. Between the Lifeline discount, state efforts, and affordable provider tiers, most eligible households can still find a workable monthly plan. The key is to verify your eligibility, compare what is available at your exact address, and apply through an official channel. Staying connected no longer has to come at the cost of the rest of your budget.
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