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Independent guide — not the government, not a Lifeline provider

Cliq Mobile — independent Lifeline resource guide

Free Internet for Low-Income Families — Every Real Option in 2026

The $30/month ACP discount is gone, but a low-income household can still get home internet for $0-20/month by combining the programs that remain. Here is the honest map: what exists, what it costs, and how to apply.

The three routes that still exist

  1. Federal Lifeline — $9.25/month off phone OR internet service for qualifying households. Permanent and fully funded.
  2. ISP low-income plans — the internet companies run their own discounted plans ($10-30/month) independent of any federal program, and most stack with Lifeline.
  3. Local and city programs — library hotspot lending, and city initiatives like NYC's Big Apple Connect for public-housing residents.

The Lifeline internet benefit

The federal Lifeline program provides a monthly discount of up to $9.25 on phone or internet service — one benefit per household, your choice of which bill it lands on. Eligibility is based on participation in:

  • SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)
  • Medicaid (including Medi-Cal in California)
  • SSI (Supplemental Security Income)
  • Federal Public Housing Assistance (Section 8)
  • Veterans Pension & Survivors Benefit
  • Income at or below 135% of Federal Poverty Guidelines

ISP low-income plans: the price list

These plans come from the internet companies themselves, use broader income rules than Lifeline (most accept up to 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or program participation), and have no contracts:

  • AT&T Access — from $10/month (SNAP or SSI)
  • Xfinity Internet Essentials — $9.95-14.95/month; about $0.70/month net with Lifeline applied
  • Optimum Advantage — $15/month
  • Verizon Forward — from $20/month
  • Spectrum Internet Assist — $25/month
  • Cox ConnectAssist — $30/month

The full carrier-by-carrier comparison — speeds, stacking with Lifeline, and application steps — lives in our Lifeline internet guide.

What happened to the ACP

The Affordable Connectivity Program paid $30/month toward internet for 23 million households until its funding ran out on June 1, 2024. Congress has not renewed it. If you had ACP, the programs above are the replacements — our ACP guide explains the transition, the current status of extension bills, and the refund scams to avoid.

Fixed Wireless Access (FWA)

Fixed wireless delivers home internet over cell networks instead of cables — useful where cable and fiber never got built, and often the technology behind Lifeline-based home internet:

Quick Setup

No cable installation or technician visits — a plug-and-play device connects to the nearest tower.

Competitive Speeds

Modern 4G LTE and 5G fixed wireless handles streaming, video calls, and schoolwork.

Wide Availability

Reaches rural and underserved areas ahead of cable and fiber build-out — check our national broadband map.

No Credit Check

Lifeline-based internet service requires no credit check and no long-term contract.

How to apply

  1. Check your eligibility — confirm you participate in a qualifying program or meet the income threshold.
  2. Pick your route — a Lifeline provider, an ISP low-income plan, or both stacked where they combine.
  3. Apply online — the National Verifier confirms Lifeline eligibility; ISP plans are applied for directly with the company.
  4. Get connected — most approvals take 1-3 business days.

Free internet for low-income families — FAQ

Check If You Qualify