Where the Money Comes From and Who Runs It

Free or reduced-cost internet for low-income households comes from two main federal programs: the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), run by the Federal Communications Commission, and Lifeline, which the FCC oversees but telecommunications companies administer. Both programs pay internet service providers directly to lower your monthly bill or cover it entirely. Neither program gives you cash; they reduce what you owe to your provider each month.

The ACP is newer and more generous. It covers up to $30 per month for broadband service, or $75 per month if you live on tribal lands. Lifeline covers up to $9.25 per month and has been running since 1985. Some households can use both at the same time, though the total subsidy cannot exceed the actual cost of your service.

These are federal programs, but you do not contact the FCC directly. Instead, you work with your internet provider or a community organization that helps people sign up. The provider or organization verifies your income and household size against the program rules, then submits your information to the FCC's database.

Key Takeaways

  • The Affordable Connectivity Program pays up to $30 per month toward your internet bill if your household income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty line, which is roughly $60,000 for a family of four in 2025.
  • You must have an active internet service account with a participating provider to receive the subsidy; the program does not pay for installation, equipment, or service set up fees.
  • You can sign up through your internet provider's website, through a community partner organization, or by mail, and you do not need to reapply every year unless your income or household size changes.
  • The program covers only the monthly service cost; if your provider charges extra for a modem or router, you may need to pay that separately or ask if they offer a discounted device.
  • Lifeline is a backup option that covers up to $9.25 per month and does not have an income limit, but it is harder to use because fewer providers participate and the subsidy is smaller.

Income Limits and How They Are Verified

The ACP uses 200% of the federal poverty line as its income threshold. For 2025, that means a household of four with a gross annual income of roughly $60,000 or less. A household of one qualifies at roughly $15,000; a household of two at roughly $20,000; a household of three at roughly $40,000. These figures change each year when the federal poverty line is updated, usually in January.

You do not need to provide tax returns or bank statements. Instead, you prove income by showing one of these documents: a recent pay stub, a letter from your employer, a tax return from the past two years, a benefit award letter (from Social Security, unemployment, TANF, SNAP, or other programs), or a lease or mortgage statement. If you receive SNAP, Medicaid, LIHEAP, SSI, WIC, or TANF, you may be able to skip income verification entirely because the program accepts those as proof of low income.

The organization processing your process — whether your provider or a community partner — keeps a copy of your income document on file. You do not send it to the FCC. If your income or household size changes, you should report it, but the program does not automatically check every year. You stay enrolled until you report a change or until the program ends.

How to Sign Up Through Your Internet Provider

Most major providers now have an ACP sign-up page on their website. Comcast, Charter, Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile Home Internet, and many smaller regional providers participate. Start by visiting your provider's website and searching for "Affordable Connectivity Program" or "ACP". You will usually find a link to an online form.

The form asks for your name, address, phone number, email, household size, and gross household income. You upload or photograph one income document — a pay stub, benefit letter, or tax return. The provider's system checks your information against the FCC database to make sure you are not already enrolled with another provider (you can only be in the program once). If you pass verification, your subsidy usually starts on your next billing cycle.

Some providers still require you to call or visit a store to sign up. If the online form is not available, contact your provider's customer service and ask specifically for the ACP enrollment process. Have your income document ready when you call.

Signing Up Through Community Organizations

If your provider does not participate in the ACP or their website is difficult to navigate, community organizations in your area often help people sign up for free. These include local nonprofits, libraries, housing authorities, workforce development agencies, and community action agencies. Many can complete the entire process for you over the phone or in person.

To find a local partner, visit the FCC's ACP website and use their provider and partner search tool, or call 211 (a free referral line) and ask for ACP help in your area. When you contact an organization, tell them your provider's name and ask whether they can help you sign up. Some organizations can submit your process directly to the FCC's system; others will guide you through your provider's process.

Community partners are especially useful if you do not have internet access yet, because they can help you understand which providers serve your address and what equipment costs might explore. They can also help you gather income documents if you are unsure what counts as proof.

What Happens to Equipment and Installation Costs

The ACP subsidy covers only your monthly service bill. It does not pay for installation, set up fees, modem rental, router rental, or the cost of buying equipment. If your provider charges $15 per month to rent a modem, that $15 comes out of your pocket on top of the subsidized service cost.

Some providers offer low-cost or free modems to ACP customers, especially if you are a new customer. Comcast's Xfinity Essentials program, for example, includes a free modem with the subsidized service. Charter and some other providers have similar offers. When you sign up, ask your provider whether they waive equipment fees for ACP customers or offer a discount.

If your provider does not offer a discount, you can sometimes buy a used modem online for $20 to $50, or ask a community partner whether they have refurbished equipment available. The modem must be compatible with your provider's network; your provider can tell you which models work.

Lifeline as a Backup Option

If you do not meet the ACP income limit or if the ACP program ends, Lifeline is available as a second option. Lifeline covers up to $9.25 per month and has no income limit — you may have access to if you receive certain benefits (SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, LIHEAP, TANF, WIC, or federal public housing information) or if your household income is at or below 135% of the federal poverty line.

Lifeline is harder to use because fewer providers participate. AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and some smaller carriers offer Lifeline, but many cable internet providers do not. You sign up directly with your provider or through a community partner. The process is similar to ACP, but the smaller subsidy means you will pay more out of pocket each month.

You cannot use both ACP and Lifeline at the same time with the same provider. If you are already in ACP, you stay there. If ACP ends or you lose income and drop below the Lifeline threshold, you can switch to Lifeline to keep your subsidy active.

What to Do If Your Provider Does Not Participate

Not every internet provider participates in the ACP. If your provider is not on the FCC's list, you have three options: ask your provider to join the program (some smaller providers are still signing up), switch to a provider that does participate, or use Lifeline if your provider offers it.

Before you switch providers, check whether the new provider serves your address and what their regular monthly cost is. The ACP subsidy is only useful if it brings your bill down to something you can afford. If Provider A charges $60 per month and Provider B charges $80 per month, the $30 ACP subsidy helps more with Provider A.

If you are in a rural area or a place with limited provider choice, contact your local community action agency or housing authority. They sometimes know about smaller regional providers or fixed wireless services that participate in ACP and serve your area.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if my income is above 200% of the poverty line but I still cannot afford internet?

You do not meet the ACP income requirement, but you may still have options. Some providers offer low-cost plans to any customer regardless of income — Comcast's Internet Essentials and Charter's Spectrum Internet information are examples. You can also ask your provider about promotional rates or discounts for new customers. Community organizations sometimes know about local programs or equipment donations as well.

Can I use the ACP subsidy with a mobile hotspot instead of home internet?

Yes, if your provider offers a mobile hotspot plan. T-Mobile Home Internet and some other wireless providers participate in the ACP. The subsidy works the same way — it reduces your monthly bill. However, mobile hotspot speeds and data limits vary, so check whether the plan meets your household's needs before you sign up.

What happens if I move to a new address?

You should report your address change to your provider or the organization that enrolled you. If your new address is served by a different provider, you may need to switch providers and re-enroll in the ACP. If the same provider serves both addresses, the subsidy usually continues without interruption. Contact your provider's ACP support line to confirm before you move.

Do I have to reapply every year?

No. Once you are enrolled, you stay in the program unless your income or household size changes, you move to an address the provider does not serve, or the program ends. The FCC does not require annual reapplication. However, if your circumstances change, you should report it so your enrollment stays accurate.

What if I cannot afford the internet bill even with the ACP subsidy?

Talk to your provider about their lowest-cost plan. Some providers offer plans below $30 per month specifically for low-income customers, which means the ACP subsidy would cover the entire bill. If your provider's cheapest plan is still too high, ask a community partner whether they know of other providers in your area or whether any local nonprofits offer emergency internet information.