ACP ended June 2024 · Updated August 2026
The Affordable Connectivity Program ended. Here's what actually replaced it.
ACP stopped accepting applicants in February 2024 and fully ended in June 2024. It was not renewed. But most of what ACP covered still exists — through Lifeline, state supplements, and ISP-specific low-income plans. Here's the honest picture.
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What the Affordable Connectivity Program was — the 60-second recap.
The ACP was a federal broadband subsidy created by the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. It paid $30/month toward internet service ($75/month on Tribal lands) for households at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, plus a one-time discount of up to $100 toward a connected device. At its peak, roughly 23 million households were enrolled. It was funded by a one-time congressional appropriation — and when that money ran out, the program ended.
- Dec 2021ACP replaces the pandemic-era Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB).
- Feb 2024Enrollment freeze — no new applications accepted after February 7.
- May 2024Final partial month — benefit reduced as funds ran dry.
- Jun 1 2024Program ends. AffordableConnectivity.gov and the ACP application are taken offline.
- 2024–2026Extension bills introduced in Congress with bipartisan sponsors; none has passed as of August 2026.
ACP vs. Lifeline — side by side.
If you were on ACP, here's how the benefit has changed.
| ACP (ended) | Lifeline (active) | |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly benefit | $30/mo ($75 tribal) | $9.25/mo (+$1-12 in supplement states) |
| What it covers | Broadband only | Phone OR internet (pick one) |
| Income cap | 200% of Federal Poverty Guidelines | 135% of Federal Poverty Guidelines |
| Program qualifiers | SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, Pell Grant, NSLP, WIC, Tribal | SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, Section 8, Veterans Pension, WIC, Tribal |
| Funding | One-time Congressional appropriation (2021) | Universal Service Fund (permanent) |
| Status | Ended June 2024 | Still active, no sunset date |
Did you qualify for ACP? The 2026 income numbers.
ACP eligibility reached households earning up to 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Lifeline's income cap is stricter — 135%. Here's who qualifies where in 2026, by household size:
| Household size | ACP cap — 200% FPG (program ended) | Lifeline cap today — 135% FPG |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | ≈ $30,790 | $20,783 |
| 2 people | ≈ $41,510 | $28,017 |
| 3 people | ≈ $52,220 | $35,251 |
| 4 people | ≈ $62,940 | $42,485 |
| Each additional person | ≈ +$10,720 | +$7,234 |
48 states + DC; Alaska and Hawaii use higher thresholds. Income is only one path — participating in SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, Section 8, Veterans Pension, WIC, or a tribal program qualifies you for Lifeline regardless of income.
Under the Lifeline cap (or on a qualifying program)?
You have the strongest position — the $9.25/month federal benefit plus any state supplement. Confirm your eligibility.
Between 135% and 200% — the "ACP gap"?
You'd have qualified for ACP but not Lifeline. ISP plans still use ACP's 200% standard — Xfinity, Optimum, and AT&T all accept it. Compare the ISP plans.
Is the ACP coming back? The honest August 2026 answer.
Not yet, and nothing is scheduled. Extension bills — including the Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act — have been introduced with sponsors from both parties, but none has passed amid broader budget fights. Advocacy groups keep pushing; Congress keeps not funding it. If that changes, enrollment would reopen through official channels (USAC and participating providers), and we'll update this page the week it happens. Until then, the benefits that actually exist are Lifeline, state supplements, and ISP low-income plans — covered below.
Watch out for ACP "refund" and "reinstatement" scams
Because millions of people lost the benefit, scammers work this audience hard. Treat all of these as fake: texts or calls offering an ACP refund or back-payment; sites charging a fee to "pre-register" for ACP's return; anyone asking you to "re-verify" your SSN or bank details to "keep your spot."
There is no refund program, no waiting list, and no fee-based application — the real ACP application no longer exists. If you had ACP devices, you keep them: tablets and phones issued under ACP were yours outright. To put service back on one, see the tablet guide or apply for a Lifeline phone plan.
What to do now (in order).
Check if you qualify for Lifeline.
Lifeline is stricter than ACP was (135% FPG vs 200%), but most ACP recipients qualified through a program that also qualifies for Lifeline. Use our eligibility checker.
Apply the Lifeline benefit to your existing ISP.
Most major ISPs (AT&T, Xfinity, Spectrum, Cox, Verizon, T-Mobile Home Internet) accept Lifeline for internet service. See our Lifeline internet guide for carrier-specific instructions.
Stack your state supplement if eligible.
10 states add a state-level benefit on top of federal Lifeline. California is the most generous (+$12.65/mo = $21.90/mo total). Check your state's page.
Look at ISP-specific low-income plans.
Xfinity Internet Essentials ($14.95/mo), Optimum Advantage ($15/mo), Spectrum Internet Assist ($25/mo), AT&T Access ($10-30/mo). Apply directly through the ISP — these are separate from Lifeline and can sometimes be combined.
ACP ended — FAQ.
ACP gone and Lifeline won't cover you?
Lifeline's eligibility rules are tighter than ACP's were, so some households that had ACP do not qualify for Lifeline at all. If that's you, the realistic move is the cheapest paid plan you can find.
Check eligibility first. Lifeline is free and it beats anything on this list. Only pay if you genuinely do not qualify — see the current rules.
These are paid plans, not Lifeline. We earn a commission if you sign up through these links — it costs you nothing extra and does not change what we recommend. Full disclosure.
Lyca Mobile
T-Mobile networkBest for: Households that call family abroad. Month-to-month and multi-month unlimited plans, sold in 3-month and 6-month blocks. The longer blocks bring the effective monthly cost down but are paid in full up front.
Watch out for: As an MVNO, data can be slowed during network congestion ahead of T-Mobile's own customers
Mint Mobile
T-Mobile networkBest for: Readers who can pay for several months at once. Sold in 3-, 6-, and 12-month blocks paid in full up front. The longer the block, the lower the effective monthly cost. Introductory pricing on your first term is typically lower than the renewal rate.
Watch out for: You pay for the whole 3, 6, or 12 months at once — the advertised monthly price is not a monthly bill
Metro by T-Mobile
T-Mobile network (first-party)Best for: Readers who want in-person support. Standard month-to-month prepaid plans at several data tiers, paid monthly rather than in multi-month blocks. Some plans bundle perks like streaming subscriptions.
Watch out for: Costs more per month than the MVNO options on this page
See what you qualify for now.
30 seconds. We'll email you the Lifeline providers and low-income internet options that fit your state.