Where Things Stand in 2026
The Affordable Connectivity Program, once the largest broadband subsidy in the country with a monthly discount of up to $30 per household and up to $75 on qualifying Tribal lands, officially wound down in 2024 after Congress did not renew its funding. According to the FCC, the program is "ended for now." That closure left millions of households suddenly paying full price, and it also created confusion about what is still available.
The good news: help did not disappear entirely. A patchwork of federal, state, and provider-run programs remains active, and for many families the combination of two or three of them can bring monthly costs into a manageable range.
The federal baseline: Lifeline
Lifeline remains the one true federal program still operating nationwide. It provides a monthly discount on one communications service — either phone or home internet — for qualifying households. The standard benefit is up to $9.25 per month toward internet or bundled service, and on qualifying Tribal lands the Enhanced Tribal Lifeline benefit can reach up to $34.25 per month, plus a one-time Link Up discount of up to $100 to start service with certain providers.
Eligibility is based on two simple paths:
- Income — household income at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines.
- Program participation — someone in the household already receives SNAP, Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Federal Public Housing Assistance, the Veterans Pension or Survivors Benefit, or participates in certain Tribal assistance programs.
Applying takes one visit to the National Verifier at lifelinesupport.org. One detail worth noting: Oregon and Texas run their own eligibility systems, and as of February 2026 California split its federal Lifeline application from the separate state-run California LifeLine program. If you live in one of those states, check the state process first.
Maria, a single mother in Houston, told us she assumed she would not qualify after ACP ended. She enrolled in Lifeline through the Texas system while also signing up for AT&T Access, which she qualified for through SNAP. Her combined monthly cost for home internet dropped to about half of the regular retail rate. "I did not think two programs could work together," she said. "It took one afternoon of paperwork."
Provider low-cost plans fill the gap
Because the federal subsidy is smaller than ACP was, most of the practical relief now comes from internet providers themselves. Nearly every major ISP operates a low-income plan that pairs with or stands apart from Lifeline.
| Program | Typical monthly price | Qualifying path | Notable strengths | Things to watch |
|---|
| Xfinity Internet Essentials (Comcast) | Around $14.95 | Income at or below 200% of federal poverty guidelines, or participation in SNAP, Medicaid, or housing assistance | Includes gateway equipment, unlimited data, access to millions of Xfinity WiFi hotspots, digital skills training, and a low-cost computer option | Availability limited to Comcast service areas |
| AT&T Access | Low-cost pricing, exact amount varies by address | Household income at or below 200% of federal poverty guidelines, or participation in a qualifying government program | Wireless AT&T Internet Air or Fiber options available depending on area | Service territory mostly in the South, Midwest, and parts of California and Texas |
| Spectrum Internet Assist | Around $24.99 | Income at or below 135% of the federal poverty level, or enrollment in programs like SNAP | No contracts, straightforward pricing | Speeds are modest compared to retail tiers |
| Cox Connect2Compete | Around $9.95 | SNAP, Medicaid, or free/reduced-price school lunch participation | Very low entry price in Cox service areas across Arizona, California, Florida, Louisiana, and Nevada | Requires household with a K-12 student in most cases |
| T-Mobile Project 10 Million | Data allowance renewed annually for eligible students | K-12 student in a household receiving the National School Lunch Program | Designed specifically for schoolwork, portable hotspot device | Data cap applies, not a general household plan |
Pricing varies by address and by state, so the figures above are ranges rather than guarantees. The consistent pattern across all of these plans: no contracts, no credit check, and eligibility tied to income or an existing assistance program.
State and local programs you should not overlook
After the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, states received billions in broadband funding, and many are still distributing that money through affordability programs. Some states add a monthly subsidy on top of Lifeline. Others partner with local ISPs to offer discounted installation or free equipment for qualifying households. California's Broadband for All initiative and the CPUC-run California LifeLine program are among the most generous examples, with income limits higher than the federal ones.
The fastest way to find what your state offers: search for "[your state] broadband assistance program," contact your state public utilities commission, or check your state broadband office website. Connecticut, for instance, maintains a Get Connected portal that lists every low-cost plan and participating provider by ZIP code, which saves families from calling each ISP individually.
A Practical Action Plan
Start with these four steps, in order, and you will likely land on a workable setup within a week.
First, check Lifeline eligibility. Go to lifelinesupport.org and run the National Verifier. It takes about ten minutes, and if you qualify, the discount follows you to any participating provider in your area. Do this before shopping around, because some providers apply the Lifeline credit on top of their own low-income plan.
Second, look up provider plans at your exact address. Visit the low-income program pages for Comcast, AT&T, Spectrum, Cox, and any regional ISP in your ZIP code. Speeds, prices, and availability differ street by street, so the address check matters.
Third, ask about stacking. Not every provider allows Lifeline plus a low-income plan on the same account, but some do. It is worth a direct question to the sales representative. The worst answer you can get is no.
Fourth, tap local resources. Libraries across the country lend WiFi hotspots to cardholders for weeks at a time, and many school districts provide take-home devices for students in the free and reduced-price lunch program. For families in a tight month, these options bridge the gap while paperwork processes.
The Bottom Line
Government assistance for home internet in the US is no longer one big program; it is a combination of the federal Lifeline discount, provider-run low-income plans, and state initiatives that vary by where you live. The trade-off is that you now have to do a little more homework than families did during the ACP years. The payoff is that many eligible households can still get reliable home internet at a price that fits a tight budget. If you qualify for SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, or any other listed program, you likely qualify for at least one of these options — and possibly several at once. Start with the Lifeline check, then compare what your local providers offer, and you will know exactly where you stand within a few days.
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