Financial Assistance for Internet Bills (Program Enrollment Ended)
ACP UPDATE NOTE (3/28/24):
Please be aware that ACP funds are ending soon and the program is no longer accepting applications as of 2/27/24. The final fully funded month is April 2024. Learn more on the Federal Communications Commission’s ACP website: fcc.gov/acp
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program that replaces the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBB Program) to help low-income households pay for internet service and connected devices.
If your household is eligible, you can receive:
- Up to a $30/month discount on your internet service
- Up to a $75/month discount if your household is on qualifying Tribal lands
- A one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer (with a co-payment of more than $10 but less than $50)
Only one monthly service discount and one device discount is allowed per household. To receive the connected device discount, consumers need to enroll in the ACP with a participating provider that offers connected devices (Note: not all internet company offer device discounts.) The internet company will provide the discount to the consumer.
Here are the ways your household can qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP):
- Based on your household income
- If you or your child or dependent participate in certain government assistance programs such as SNAP, Medicaid, WIC, or other programs
- If you or your child or dependent already receives a Lifeline benefit
Based on Your Income
You can get ACP if your income is 200% or less than the Federal Poverty Guidelines. The guideline is based on your household size and state.
If You Participate in Certain Government Assistance Programs Such As SNAP, Medicaid, WIC, or Other Programs
Federal Assistance Programs
You can get ACP if you (or someone in your household) participate in one of these programs:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as Food Stamps
- Medicaid
- Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
- Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
- Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program, including at U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Community Eligibility Provision schools in the 2019-20, 2020-21, or 2021-22 school year
- Received a Federal Pell Grant in the current award year
You may need to show a card, letter, or official document as proof that you participate in one of these programs when you apply for the ACP.
Tribal Assistance Programs
If you live on qualifying Tribal lands, you can get ACP if your household income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or if you (or someone in your household) participate in:
- Any of the federal assistance programs listed above
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
- Head Start (only households meeting the income qualifying standard)
- Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF)
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
You may have to show proof of participation, like a benefit letter or official document, when you apply for ACP. Learn more about the Tribal Benefit.
If You Already Receive a Lifeline Benefit
Lifeline is a Federal Communications Commission program to help make communications services more affordable for low-income consumers. If you currently receive a Lifeline benefit, you automatically qualify for the ACP, and you can receive both benefits at the same time. You can apply your ACP benefit and your Lifeline benefit to the same or separate services. Talk to your internet company to learn how to start receiving ACP discounts.
Qualify Through Your Child or Dependent
Any member of your household can make your household eligible if they participate in one of the programs above. For example, if your child or dependent participates in the Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch Program or is enrolled in a USDA Community Eligibility Provision school, your household qualifies for the ACP benefit.
How to Apply
Already a Lifeline subscriber?
Reach out to your internet company directly to enroll in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) program. You do not need to use the Apply Now button below.
If you are currently enrolled in the Lifeline program, you do not have to apply again for the ACP. You can apply your Lifeline and ACP benefit to the same or separate services. Talk to your Lifeline provider about the services they may have available as part of the ACP, including options to apply the discounts to your existing Lifeline service, or contact another internet company participating in the ACP to apply the benefit to a separate internet service.
Already in a low-income program with a non-Lifeline provider?
Reach out to your internet company directly to enroll in the program. You do not need to use the Apply Now button below.
If you do not participate in Lifeline but receive service from a participating company that has its own low-income program, you may not need to apply again for the ACP benefit. This option is only available if the company obtained approval for its application process from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Talk to your provider for more information.
Apply
There are three ways to apply for the Affordable Connectivity Program.
OnlineLogin or create a new account to complete the ACP application online.
MailPrint an application: English Spanish (Application Instructions)
USAC recommends including a Household Worksheet with your application: English Spanish (Household Worksheet Instructions)
Complete the application and Household Worksheet and send them, along with copies of your proof documentation, to:
ACP Support Center
PO Box 7081
London, KY 40742
Contact your internet companyAsk your internet company if they participate in the ACP, or use our online tool to find a participating company near you. Participating companies can help you apply through their company’s application process.
After You Apply
After you submit an application, we will share the results with you. If you apply online, you may receive an immediate approval. If we cannot confirm your eligibility automatically, we will request additional documentation from you and provide information on how you can submit those documents for review.
Sign Up to Get ACP
Once we approve your application, you can choose a company that offers ACP discounts and sign up for service.
Talk to a participating company to learn more about what services they have available for ACP recipients and to find out how to sign up.