The Affordable Connectivity Program is paused, not permanently closed
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) stopped accepting new enrollments in February 2024 when Congress did not renew its funding. If you did not sign up before that date, you cannot join ACP now. However, the program itself has not been legally terminated — it remains on the books, and people already enrolled can keep their subsidies as long as they recertify their income annually.
The practical reality is that ACP is unavailable to new users in 2025, but the door is not permanently closed. Congress could fund it again, which would reopen enrollment. Until that happens, your options are Lifeline (which covers phone or broadband but not both) or state and local programs that may fill some of the gap.
Key Takeaways
- ACP stopped taking new enrollments in February 2024 and has not reopened; you cannot join it now even if you meet the income requirements.
- People already enrolled in ACP before February 2024 can keep their subsidy if they complete annual income recertification.
- Lifeline remains available and covers either phone service or broadband, but not both at the same time.
- Some states and cities run their own internet subsidy programs that may cover households ACP would have served.
- If Congress funds ACP again, enrollment would reopen, but there is no announced timeline for that decision.
What happened to ACP funding
The Affordable Connectivity Program launched in 2021 with $14.2 billion in funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. It provided a $30 monthly subsidy for broadband (or $75 for households on tribal lands) to people earning up to 200 percent of the federal poverty line. The program was popular — by early 2024, it had enrolled roughly 23 million households.
The original funding was designed to last through 2025, but enrollment and usage outpaced the budget. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced in January 2024 that money would run out by February, and Congress did not pass a new appropriation before that important date. Enrollment closed on February 7, 2024, and has remained closed since.
This was not a decision by the FCC or the Biden administration — it was a funding gap. The program cannot enroll new people without money to pay the subsidies. Whether it reopens depends entirely on Congress deciding to fund it again.
If you were already enrolled before February 2024
Your subsidy continues as long as you stay enrolled and recertify your income once a year. The FCC extended the recertification important date multiple times in 2024 to give households time to complete the process. You should have received a notice from your internet provider or directly from the program about when your recertification is due.
To recertify, you will need to confirm your household income and the number of people living with you. You can do this online through the National Verifier portal, by mail, or by phone, depending on your provider. If you miss the important date, your subsidy will stop, but you can reactivate it by recertifying later — you do not lose your spot in the program.
Keep your subsidy active by recertifying on time. Even though new enrollment is closed, existing members are protected as long as Congress does not actively defund the program.
Lifeline as an alternative for phone or broadband
Lifeline is a separate federal program that has been running since 1985. It offers a $9.25 monthly subsidy toward either phone service or broadband, but not both. You can use it for a cell phone plan, a home phone line, or internet service — you choose one.
Lifeline has the same income threshold as ACP (200 percent of the federal poverty line) and uses the same National Verifier system to check your income. Unlike ACP, Lifeline has never run out of funding because it is a permanent program funded through the Universal Service Fund, which is built into phone and internet bills.
The trade-off is that $9.25 covers much less of a broadband bill than ACP's $30 did. If you need internet, Lifeline will reduce your bill but probably will not cover it entirely. If you need a phone line, it covers most or all of a basic plan.
State and local programs filling the gap
Some states and cities have launched their own broadband subsidy programs since ACP funding ended. These vary widely in what they cover and who they serve. A few examples: California has the California Lifeline program (separate from the federal one), New York has the Broadband for All program, and some cities have partnered with internet providers to offer discounts to low-income households.
These programs are not standardized, so you will need to check what is available in your area. Start by contacting your city or county government's office of economic development or human services, or search "[your state] broadband subsidy" to see what exists. Some programs are income-based like ACP, while others target specific groups such as seniors or people with disabilities.
The availability and generosity of these programs changes frequently, so what exists today may not exist next year — but new programs are also being created. It is worth checking even if you did not find anything six months ago.
What would need to happen for ACP to reopen
Congress would need to pass a new appropriation specifically for ACP or include it in a larger spending bill. There is no current bill pending, and no announced timeline for when Congress might act. The program has bipartisan support in principle — both parties recognize that broadband access matters — but funding decisions depend on broader budget negotiations.
If Congress does fund ACP again, the FCC would reopen enrollment, likely with the same income threshold and subsidy amounts as before. Existing members would keep their subsidies without reapplying. New members would be able to sign up through the same National Verifier system.
You can check the FCC's ACP website periodically to see if enrollment has reopened, but do not wait for that to happen. In the meantime, Lifeline and any state or local programs are your available options.
How to check your current ACP status
If you think you might be enrolled in ACP, you can check your status through the National Verifier portal at nationalverifier.org. Log in with your email address and password, or create an account if you do not have one. The portal will show whether you are currently enrolled and when your next recertification is due.
You can also contact your internet service provider directly — they have records of which customers are receiving the ACP subsidy. If you are enrolled, your bill should show the $30 discount (or $75 if you are on tribal lands). If you are not seeing it, contact your provider to ask why.
If you were enrolled and your subsidy stopped, it is usually because you missed a recertification important date. You can reactivate by recertifying your income through the National Verifier or your provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sign up for ACP now if I did not enroll before February 2024?
No. ACP stopped accepting new enrollments on February 7, 2024, and has not reopened. You cannot join the program now, even if you meet the income requirements. Your options are Lifeline or state and local programs.
What happens to my ACP subsidy if Congress does not fund it again?
If Congress actively defunds ACP (rather than just not renewing it), the FCC would have to end the program and stop paying subsidies. This has not happened yet. For now, existing members keep their subsidies as long as they recertify annually. If you are concerned, contact your representative in Congress to express support for continued funding.
Does Lifeline cover the same amount as ACP did?
No. Lifeline provides $9.25 per month toward either phone or broadband. ACP provided $30 per month for broadband (or $75 on tribal lands). Lifeline will reduce your bill but will not cover it entirely for most broadband plans.
How do I learn about my state has its own broadband subsidy program?
Contact your city or county government's office of human services or economic development. You can also search "[your state name] broadband subsidy" or "[your state name] internet information" online. Some programs are new and not widely advertised, so calling your local government directly is often faster than searching.
If ACP reopens, will I have to reapply if I was enrolled before?
No. If you were enrolled before February 2024 and your subsidy is still active, you would keep it without reapplying. Only new members would need to enroll through the National Verifier system.