How Lifeline and ACP Served Different Needs

Lifeline and the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) were two separate federal programs that helped people pay for phone and internet service, but they worked differently and covered different costs. Lifeline has existed since 1985 and focuses on phone service for low-income households. ACP was newer — it launched in 2021 — and specifically addressed internet affordability during and after the pandemic.

The key difference was what they paid for. Lifeline provided a monthly discount (typically $9.25 to $10) toward a phone bill, either landline or mobile. ACP provided a much larger monthly subsidy — up to $30 per month for internet service, or up to $75 per month for households on tribal lands — with no phone component at all.

A household could use both programs at the same time. You could receive a Lifeline discount on your phone bill while also getting ACP money for your internet bill. The programs had separate income limits and separate process processes, though some of the paperwork overlapped.

Key Takeaways

  • Lifeline has been running since 1985 and still exists today; it discounts phone service by roughly $9 to $10 per month for low-income households.
  • ACP launched in 2021 to help people pay for internet and provided up to $30 monthly ($75 on tribal lands), but the program ended on March 31, 2024.
  • The two programs covered different services — Lifeline was phone-only, ACP was internet-only — so households could use both at the same time.
  • If you were receiving ACP when it ended, you lost that subsidy; Lifeline continued unchanged and is still available to people who meet the income requirements.

What Lifeline Covered Then and Covers Now

Lifeline has remained largely the same since its creation. It provides a monthly discount on phone service — either a traditional landline or a mobile phone plan. The discount amount is set by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and has stayed around $9.25 to $10 per month in recent years, though the exact amount can vary slightly by state and provider.

To receive Lifeline, your household income had to be at or below 135% of the federal poverty line, or you had to be enrolled in certain information programs like SNAP, Medicaid, or SSI. You could only have one Lifeline discount per household, and you had to use it with a participating phone provider.

Lifeline is still active today. If you meet the income requirements and are not already using the discount, you can still look into it through your phone provider or through the National Lifeline Accountability Database (NLAD), which tracks active accounts. The program has not changed its structure or ended.

What ACP Was and Why It Ended

The Affordable Connectivity Program was created as a temporary measure to help people pay for broadband internet during the COVID-19 pandemic. It launched in May 2021 and was originally set to run through 2025, but Congress did not approve additional funding after the initial allocation ran out.

ACP provided a monthly subsidy of up to $30 toward an internet bill for households earning at or below 200% of the federal poverty line. On tribal lands, the subsidy was up to $75 per month. Unlike Lifeline, ACP was not a discount — the program paid the money directly to your internet service provider, and you saw the reduction on your bill.

The program ended on March 31, 2024. On that date, all ACP subsidies stopped, and households lost the monthly discount they had been receiving. If you were receiving ACP when it ended, your internet bill went back to its full price the following month. There is no active ACP program now, and no new applications are being accepted.

Income Limits and Who Could Use Each Program

The two programs had different income thresholds, which meant some households may have access to for one but not the other. Lifeline required household income at or below 135% of the federal poverty line. For a family of four in 2024, that was roughly $36,000 per year, though the exact amount changes annually.

ACP had a higher income limit: 200% of the federal poverty line. For the same family of four, that was roughly $53,000 per year. This meant a household could be too high-income for Lifeline but still may have access to for ACP. Alternatively, you could may have access to for both programs if your income fell within the lower Lifeline threshold.

Both programs also allowed you to may have access to through enrollment in information programs. If you received SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, or certain other benefits, you could use that as proof of income rather than submitting tax documents. ACP added additional may have access to programs, including the National School Lunch Program and the Indian Health Service.

What Happened to ACP Recipients When the Program Ended

When ACP ended on March 31, 2024, households that had been receiving the subsidy lost it when ready. If you were paying $20 per month for internet with a $30 ACP subsidy, your bill went back to the full price on April 1. There was no phase-out period or warning extension — the subsidy stopped.

Some internet providers offered their own low-income programs to fill the gap, but these are not federal programs and vary widely by company and location. Comcast's Internet Essentials, for example, offers discounted broadband to low-income households, but it is not available everywhere and has its own income limits. Charter Spectrum and other providers have similar programs, but you have to research what is available in your area.

If you were receiving ACP and needed to keep internet service, you had to either pay the full price, look for a provider with a low-income program, or explore other options like community broadband or library internet access. There is no federal replacement for ACP at this time.

Whether Lifeline Is Still Worth Using

Lifeline is still active and still worth using if you meet the income requirements and do not already have a phone discount. A $9 to $10 monthly discount does not sound like much, but over a year it adds up to roughly $100 to $120. If you are on a tight budget, that is real money.

The main limitation of Lifeline is that it only covers phone service, not internet. If you lost ACP and need both services, Lifeline will help with the phone bill but will not replace the internet subsidy you lost. You would need to find a separate low-income internet program through your provider.

To check whether you are still receiving Lifeline or to start using it, contact your current phone provider and ask whether they participate in the program. If they do not, you can search the NLAD database or call 1-888-LIFELINE (1-888-543-3546) to find a participating provider in your area.

What Options Exist Now for Internet Help

With ACP gone, the main federal program for phone service (Lifeline) is still available, but there is no federal internet subsidy program running at the national level. However, several alternatives exist depending on where you live and your income.

Many internet providers offer their own low-income programs. Comcast Internet Essentials serves households earning up to 135% of the federal poverty line and costs around $10 per month for broadband. Charter Spectrum's Spectrum Internet information has similar pricing and income limits. AT&T, Verizon, and other providers have programs as well, but availability and terms vary by location and provider.

Some states and cities have also created their own broadband information programs since ACP ended. These are not federal programs, so you would need to check with your state's broadband office or your city's housing or social services department to see what is available locally. Libraries and community centers often offer free or low-cost internet access as well, though this is not a substitute for home internet service.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still use Lifeline if I was on ACP?

Yes. Lifeline and ACP were separate programs, so losing ACP does not affect your Lifeline status. If you were receiving both, your Lifeline discount on your phone bill continues. If you were only on ACP, you can still look into Lifeline for phone service if you meet the income requirements.

Will ACP come back?

There is no official plan to restart ACP. Congress would need to approve new funding for the program to resume. Some lawmakers have proposed extending or replacing ACP, but as of now, the program has ended and no restart date has been announced.

How much did ACP actually save people?

ACP provided up to $30 per month ($75 on tribal lands) toward an internet bill. For someone paying $60 per month for broadband, that cut the cost roughly in half. The actual savings depended on what you were paying for internet and which provider you used.

What if my internet provider does not have a low-income program?

Call your state's broadband office or your city's social services department to ask about local programs. You can also check whether your library offers free internet access or whether community organizations in your area provide broadband support. Some nonprofits also help people find affordable internet options.

Do I have to reapply for Lifeline every year?

Yes. Lifeline requires annual recertification to confirm you still meet the income requirements. Your provider will contact you when recertification is due. If you do not recertify, your discount will be removed, though you can reapply later if you still may have access to.