The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) ended on June 1, 2024, when its $14.2 billion in funding ran out. More than 23 million households lost a discount of up to $30 a month on internet. As of September 2026 it has not been revived, and no federal program has replaced it one-for-one. Lifeline, the program behind the free government phone, is still running, but it is smaller.
This guide compares the two programs side by side and shows what former ACP households can use now. To apply for Lifeline, see how to apply for Lifeline.
Lifeline vs ACP at a glance
| Lifeline | ACP | |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Active | Ended June 1, 2024 |
| Monthly discount | Up to $9.25 (up to $34.25 on Tribal lands) | Up to $30 (up to $75 on Tribal lands) |
| Device discount | None | One-time up to $100 on a laptop, desktop or tablet |
| Income limit | 135% of poverty guidelines | 200% of poverty guidelines |
| Qualifying programs | SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, public housing, Veterans Pension, Tribal programs | Those plus WIC, Pell Grant, free school lunch and more |
| Households per benefit | One per household | One per household |
| Funding | Universal Service Fund, ongoing | One-time appropriation that ran out |
How the ACP ended
April 2024 was the last month households received the full ACP discount. Some providers gave a partial discount in May 2024, and the program stopped on June 1, 2024. Bills to extend it were introduced in Congress in 2024 but did not pass. A 2026 bill focuses on promoting Lifeline, not on reviving ACP.
If a website still says you can “apply for ACP” or get a “free ACP tablet,” it is out of date or a scam; see free government phone scams to avoid.
What replaced the ACP for home internet
The biggest internet companies run their own low-income plans. Several accept the same programs Lifeline does, so you may qualify for both. Details come from each company’s site and change often.
| Plan | Price | Speed | Who qualifies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xfinity Internet Essentials | $14.95/mo | Up to 75 Mbps | NSLP, housing assistance, Medicaid, SNAP, or income up to 200% of poverty; new Xfinity internet customers |
| Xfinity Internet Essentials Plus | $29.95/mo | Up to 100 Mbps | Same as above |
| Spectrum Internet Assist | From $15/mo (varies) | 50 Mbps | NSLP or SSI (extra options in New York) |
| AT&T Access | From $30/mo | Up to 100 Mbps (varies) | SNAP, NSLP, or income up to 200% of poverty; SSI in California |
| Verizon Forward | Discount up to $30/mo; plans as low as $20/mo | Varies | Lifeline, SNAP, Medicaid, WIC, SSI, Pell, Section 8, veterans benefits, or income up to 200% |
| Cox Connect2Compete | $9.95/mo | Up to 100 Mbps | Households with a K-12 student and SNAP, NSLP or housing assistance |
| Optimum Advantage Internet | $15/mo with autopay | Up to 100 Mbps | Set by Optimum; new customers outside New York |
| T-Mobile Project 10Million | Free | 200 GB a year, free hotspot | K-12 students in families on NSLP, SNAP, Medicaid or FDPIR |
Can you stack Lifeline with these plans?
Sometimes. Lifeline is a separate federal discount, and some internet companies accept it on home internet. Verizon, for example, lists Lifeline as a way to qualify for Verizon Forward and offers Lifeline on Fios in several states. Ask your provider directly whether it participates in Lifeline for internet, and see Lifeline discount on your existing phone bill.
Remember that a Lifeline internet plan must meet the FCC’s minimum service standards, and you get one Lifeline benefit per household: phone or internet, not both.
Qualifying for Lifeline after the ACP
The ACP accepted higher incomes and more programs than Lifeline. Some former ACP households qualify for Lifeline and some do not. Check the 2026 income limits in our Lifeline eligibility guide. If your only ACP program was WIC, Pell or school lunch, you may need SNAP, Medicaid or the income test instead; our explainer on what SNAP is covers how to check.
For a free phone plan, compare companies in our Lifeline providers guide.
Sources: FCC: ACP has ended FAQ, Congress.gov: S.3565.