Affordability Assistance Programs
Lifeline Support for Affordable Communications
Lifeline is a federal program to help low-income subscribers stay connected by providing a monthly discount on their wireline phone or broadband internet service.
To quality for Lifeline, subscribers must either have an income that is at or below 135% of the federal Poverty Guidelines or participate in at least one of the assistance programs listed below:
- Medicaid
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Food Stamps or SNAP)
- Supplemental Security Income
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (Section 8)
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
- Tribally-Administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
- Head Start (if income eligibility criteria are met)
Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)
The Affordable Connectivity Program is an FCC benefit program that helps ensure that households can afford the broadband they need for work, school, healthcare and more.
The benefit provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service. The ACP is limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount per household.
Who is elligible for ACP?
A household is eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program if the household income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or if a member of the household meets at least one of the criteria below:
- Participates in certain assistance programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid, Federal Public Housing Assistance, SSI, WIC, or Lifeline;
- Participates in Tribal specific programs, such as Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Tribal TANF, or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations;
- Participates in the National School Lunch Program or the School Breakfast Program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision;
- Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year; or
- Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider's existing low-income internet program.
To check if you qualify, or to read more information, go to the FCC website here.