Affordable Connectivity Program

The Affordable Connectivity Program has ended for now. It may start again if it is reauthorized. The ACP gave eligible households up to a $30/month discount for internet service. If your household was enrolled, you automatically received the discount on your monthly internet bill – this was not a benefit that was paid directly to you.

What to do now

If you were enrolled in the Affordable Connectivity Program:

• Talk to your internet company. Find out how the program ending will impact your internet service and your bill. Have your account information available when you contact your internet company.
• Ask about other low-income plans. Internet providers may offer other lower-cost plans or options for you to keep your internet service with them.
• Find out if you qualify for Lifeline. Some people who got the ACP discount may qualify for Lifeline. The Lifeline program offers up to $9.25 a month off phone, internet or bundled phone and internet (up to $34.25 if you’re on specific tribal lands). Not all ACP recipients will qualify. Not all ACP internet companies participate in Lifeline. 
• Check for updates. If the ACP is reauthorized, it could come back. Look for notices about the program from your internet company and the Federal Communications Commission.

Who was eligible? 

You were eligible for this benefit if anyone in your household received one of the following benefits: 

• SNAP/food stamps
• Medicaid
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Federal Public Housing Assistance
• WIC
• Lifeline
• National School Lunch Program
• School Breakfast Program
• A Pell Grant (must be received in this award year)
• Tribal specific programs, such as Tribal TANF
• Meets the eligibility standards for a participating internet provider's existing low-income internet program.

You were also eligible if your household's annual income is less than 200% of the federal poverty level. Check this chart to view the income limit for your household size.

How to apply 

You cannot apply now, but if the program is reauthorized, this is how you would apply.

You must have applied for the program and contacted a participating provider to select a service plan:

• Apply. You could have submitted your application online or printed out a mail-in application. If you applied online, they will try to verify your eligibility automatically, but you may be asked to provide additional documentation to prove your identity, address or eligibility. If you apply by mail, you will need to send in copies of your documents along with your application. Mail your completed application and copies of your proof documentation to:

               ACP Support Center
               P.O. Box 7081
               London, KY 40742

• Contact a participating provider. Contact your preferred participating provider to select a plan and have the discount applied to your bill. Some providers may have an alternative application that they will ask you to complete.

What happened to the Emergency Broadband Benefit?

The Emergency Broadband Benefit was replaced by the Affordable Connectivity Program on Dec. 31, 2021. Most households that received the EBB were automatically moved to the ACP.

The programs are similar but not identical.

Under the Affordable Connectivity Program:

• The benefit became $30 per month. Under the ACP, the maximum monthly benefit was $30 per month. (Under the EBB, it was $50 per month.)
• There were new ways to qualify. Your household may have qualified for the ACP if you receive WIC benefits or if your income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines.
• Some households needed to re-qualify. If you qualified for the EBB because of a substantial income loss since the pandemic started, you needed to re-qualify for the ACP. You should have received information from the program administrator or your internet service provider about steps to take.

If your out-of-pocket costs increased as a result of the change from the EBB to the ACP, your service provider should contact you to let you know.

Device discount

The program also allowed you to get a one-time $100 discount on a computer or tablet purchased through your internet service provider. Contact your internet service provider to see what options are available to you under the device discount program.