ACP program allows eligible households to get high-speed internet for free

Editor’s note: The Affordable Connectivity Program will stop accepting new applications on Feb. 8, 2024. You must be approved and enrolled with an internet service provider by 11:59 p.m. ET on Feb 7 to get the benefit. (02/01/24).

In partnership with the federal government, 20 internet providers, including larger companies like AT&T and Verizon Fios, will offer high-speed internet plans for $30/mo., which will allow anyone receiving the $30/mo. stipend from the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) to get internet service for free. 

“High-speed internet service is no longer a luxury — it’s a necessity,” the White House said. “But too many families go without high-speed internet because of the cost, or have to cut back on other essentials to make their monthly internet service payments.”

The $30/mo. high-speed plans offer a minimum of 100 Mbps download speed, which is fast enough for a family of four to video conference, stream videos and more.

To be eligible for these plans, households must be enrolled in the ACP. You can claim that benefit and apply for a high-speed plan from a participating provider in one place: https://www.whitehouse.gov/getinternet/.

For anyone currently without internet access to sign up, the United Way is stepping up to help people register. Contact your local office or visit a local library, most of which provide free internet access.

Participating internet service providers (ISPs) include:

• Allo Communications
• AltaFiber (formerly Cincinnati Bell)
• Altice (Optimum and Suddenlink)
• Astound
• AT&T
• Breezeline
• Comcast
• Comporium
• Cox
• Frontier
• Hawaiian Telcom
• IdeaTek
• Jackson Energy Authority
• Mediacom
• MLGC
• Spectrum (Charter Communications)
• Starry
• Verizon (Fios only)
• Vermont Telephone Company
• Vexus Fiber
• WOW!

The Affordable Connectivity Program is a benefit program that provides a discount of up to $30/mo. toward internet service for eligible households and up to $75/mo. for households on qualifying Tribal lands.

Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price.

The Affordable Connectivity Program is limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount per household.

Who is eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program?

A household is eligible for the ACP 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:

• Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year;
• Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider’s existing low-income internet program;
• Participates in one of these assistance programs: The National School Lunch Program or the School Breakfast Program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision; SNAP, Medicaid, Federal Public Housing Assistance, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), WIC, Veterans Pension or Survivor Benefits or Lifeline;
• Participates in one of these assistance programs and lives on Qualifying Tribal lands: Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Tribal TANF, Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, Tribal Head Start (income-based).