What the FCC offers to reduce your internet and phone costs

The Federal Communications Commission runs two programs that reduce what you pay for broadband and phone service: the Lifeline program and the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). Lifeline has been in place since 1985 and covers phone or internet service. The ACP launched in 2021 and covers broadband only, but the benefit is larger — up to $30 per month for internet, or $75 per month if you live on tribal land. Both are federal programs, meaning the rules are the same everywhere, though the phone companies and internet providers that participate vary by location.

These programs do not give you money. Instead, they tell your service provider to reduce your bill. You sign up through your provider or through a program administrator, prove your income or participation in certain information programs, and the discount starts on your next bill. The provider keeps the subsidy and passes it to you as a lower price.

Key Takeaways

  • Lifeline reduces your phone or internet bill by up to $9.25 per month if your household income is at or below 135% of the federal poverty line, or you receive benefits from SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, LIHEAP, or certain other programs.
  • The Affordable Connectivity Program covers broadband only and pays up to $30 per month ($75 on tribal land) if your household income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty line or you receive SNAP, Medicaid, or LIHEAP.
  • You enroll through your internet or phone provider, not through the FCC directly, and you must re-verify your income or program participation every year to keep the discount.
  • Not all providers participate in these programs, so you may need to switch providers to use the benefit, or you may find that only one program is available in your area.
  • The Affordable Connectivity Program is currently funded through 2024, but Congress has not yet extended it beyond that date, so the program may end or change.

Lifeline: the older, smaller program for phone or internet

Lifeline has been the FCC's main subsidy for low-income households since the 1980s. It covers either phone service or broadband internet, but not both at the same time. The discount is $9.25 per month, which the FCC calls the "federal subsidy amount." Some states add their own money on top, so the total benefit can be higher depending on where you live.

You may have access to for Lifeline if your household income is at or below 135% of the federal poverty line — which in 2024 means roughly $1,800 per month for a single person or $3,700 for a family of four — or if you already receive SNAP, Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), the Low Income Home Energy information Program (LIHEAP), Federal Public Housing information, or Veterans Pension or Survivors Benefit. The income threshold and the list of may have access to programs are set by the FCC and do not change by state.

To enroll, contact a provider that participates in Lifeline in your area. Major carriers like AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile offer it, as do many smaller phone companies and some broadband providers. The provider will ask you to prove your income or program participation — usually a recent tax return, a pay stub, or a letter from a benefits program. Once approved, the discount appears on your next bill.

Affordable Connectivity Program: larger benefit, broadband only

The Affordable Connectivity Program is newer and larger than Lifeline. It covers broadband internet only and pays up to $30 per month for most households, or $75 per month if you live on tribal land. Unlike Lifeline, you cannot use ACP and Lifeline at the same time — if you enroll in ACP, Lifeline stops.

Income limits for ACP are higher than Lifeline: your household income must be at or below 200% of the federal poverty line, which in 2024 means roughly $2,700 per month for a single person or $5,500 for a family of four. You also may have access to if you receive SNAP, Medicaid, or LIHEAP. The program does not require you to be a U.S. citizen, but you must have a valid Social Security number or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).

The ACP is administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), a nonprofit contractor for the FCC. You can enroll directly through USAC's website at getinternet.gov, or through a participating broadband provider. The process is the same either way: you prove your income or program participation, and the discount is applied to your bill. USAC maintains a list of participating providers on its website, organized by state and zip code.

The ACP was funded by Congress as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in 2021. The current funding is set to run through 2024, but Congress has not yet extended the program beyond that date. If you enroll now, you should assume the benefit may end or change in 2025.

How to find which program is available in your area

Not all providers participate in both programs, and some areas have only one option. The fastest way to find out what is available to you is to check the provider lists on the official websites.

For Lifeline, the FCC maintains a database at lifelineSupport.org where you can search by state and see which phone companies and broadband providers offer the program. The list is long in most states — Lifeline has been around for decades and most major carriers participate — but some rural areas have few or no options.

For the Affordable Connectivity Program, USAC's website at getinternet.gov has a zip code search tool. Enter your address and you will see which broadband providers in your area participate in ACP. The list is shorter than Lifeline's because ACP is newer, and some rural areas may have no participating providers at all.

If your current provider does not participate, you have two choices: switch to a provider that does, or enroll in a different program. Some people switch providers specifically to use the subsidy, which is allowed. Others find that Lifeline is available through a different provider than their current broadband, so they use Lifeline for phone service instead.

Income verification and annual re-certification

Both programs require you to prove your income or program participation when you enroll, and both require you to re-verify every year. If you do not re-verify, your discount stops.

For income verification, you can submit a recent tax return, a pay stub, a letter from your employer, a bank statement showing regular deposits, or a utility bill in your name. If you receive SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, LIHEAP, or another may have access to program, you can submit a letter or notice from that program instead. The provider or USAC will tell you which documents they accept.

Re-certification happens automatically for some people. If you receive SNAP or Medicaid, the program may share that information with the FCC's database, and your enrollment renews without you having to do anything. If you do not receive benefits, you will receive a notice asking you to re-verify your income. The important date is usually 30 days. If you miss it, your service will be disconnected or your discount will stop.

What happens if you are over the income limit but still need help

If your household income is above the limits for both programs, you may still have options. Some internet providers offer their own low-income plans that are not part of the FCC programs. These plans are usually cheaper than standard service but do not come with a federal subsidy, so the discount is smaller.

Common examples include Comcast's Internet Essentials, Charter's Spectrum Internet information, and AT&T's Access program. These programs have their own income limits, which are sometimes higher than the FCC programs, and their own enrollment process. You can search for them by provider name and your state, or ask your current provider whether they offer a low-income plan.

If you cannot afford any of these options, contact your local 211 service or a community action agency. These organizations know about all the broadband and phone programs in your area, including state and local subsidies that may not be widely advertised.

What to do if you are already enrolled and your circumstances change

If your income rises above the limit, you are required to report it to your provider or to USAC. Continuing to receive a subsidy you are no longer may have access to to can result in a bill for the full amount of the subsidy, plus penalties. It is better to report the change yourself.

If your income drops below the limit, you can enroll or re-enroll at any time. There is no waiting period. If you lose your job or your hours are cut, you can explore when ready and the discount will start on your next billing cycle.

If you move to a different state or area, check whether your current provider participates in the program in your new location. If not, you will need to switch providers or enroll in a different program. Your discount will stop when you move unless your new provider also participates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use both Lifeline and the Affordable Connectivity Program at the same time?

No. If you enroll in the Affordable Connectivity Program, Lifeline stops automatically. You can switch back to Lifeline if you later cancel ACP, but you cannot receive both subsidies on the same account or on different accounts in the same household.

What if my provider says they do not participate in these programs?

You can switch to a provider that does. Check the provider lists on lifelineSupport.org or getinternet.gov to see which companies in your area offer the subsidy. You are not locked into your current provider to use the benefit.

Do I have to pay anything upfront to enroll?

No. Both programs are free to enroll in, and there are no process fees, processing fees, or other charges. The discount is applied directly to your bill. Be cautious of websites or phone numbers that claim to help you enroll for a fee — the official enrollment is always free.

What happens if I do not re-verify my income after a year?

Your discount will stop, and you will be billed the full price for your service. You will receive a notice before the important date, usually 30 days before your re-certification expires. If you miss the important date, contact your provider or USAC when ready to re-verify and restore your discount.

Is the Affordable Connectivity Program going to end?

The current funding runs through 2024. Congress has not yet extended the program beyond that date, so it may end, be reduced, or be extended depending on future legislation. If you enroll now, monitor your bill and any notices from your provider about changes to the program.