ACP Alternatives: Explore These Discounted Internet Plans for Low-Income Households

CNET

8 hours ago

It's been one year since the Affordable Connectivity Program ended, leaving an estimated 5 million households disconnected from the internet. The internet subsidy for low-income households provided more than 23 million homes in the US with $30 to $75 per month off their internet bills. With the ACP gone, some low-cost internet options still exist for households nationwide.
The ACP was available to anyone who made less than or equal to 200% of the federal poverty guidelines, which is $64,300 for a family of four. Nearly half of ACP subscribers were military families. Older Americans, African Americans and Latinos also relied on the ACP at higher rates.
Several bills to extend the program were proposed in Congress last year but none have been brought to a vote.
"The big issue with the ACP is that the longer we go without it, the harder it is to reauthorize it," Joel Thayer, president of the Digital Progress Institute, told me near the end of 2024. "In general, I don't see a political will for it."
Experts vary on how Republicans' election wins could impact an ACP revival. While the party has generally supported tightening the income requirements for the ACP, some high-profile Republicans -- including Vice President JD Vance -- have sponsored ACP extension bills. President Donald Trump signed the COVID-19 relief package, including the Emergency Broadband Benefit, which later became the ACP, in 2020.
Locating local internet providers
That's a glimmer of hope for former ACP recipients who've had to cancel their internet or find extra money in their budgets in the past year.
"It's been the difference between choosing to have a roof over my head, whether to eat or whether to pay for the internet, which has things like virtual appointments with my psychiatrist," Kenneth Sigler, a small-business owner from Hernando, Mississippi, who used the ACP, told CNET. "It basically helps me to keep from having to choose what bills I'm going to pay."
Cheapest ACP alternatives
While no single resource can replace the $14.2 billion ACP, various discounted plans from internet providers can help ease the transition. Here are some of our top picks:
Astound Broadband: This cable ISP offers low-income households discounted internet starting at $20 per month with Internet First. You can expect download speeds of up to 150 megabits per second, unlimited data and a contract-free service.
Cox Communications: Families can sign up for internet starting at $10 a month for speeds of 100Mbps with Connect2Compete. For $20 more and for similar speeds, the ConnectAssist plan is also available for individuals. Both plans include free equipment and installation at no extra cost.
Starry Internet: If this fixed wireless ISP is available at your address, you may be eligible for Starry Connect, its low-cost internet plan, which costs $15 a month for 30Mbps. As with all Starry internet plans, the equipment is free and there are no data caps.
WOW Internet: For $10 monthly, families with students in qualifying school districts can sign up for WOW's Internet Select 50. You can expect download speeds of up to 30Mbps, free equipment and a free self-installation kit.
Xfinity: For download speeds of 75Mbps starting at $15 per month, Xfinity has Internet Essentials for eligible households in certain areas. If you want more speed, the 100Mbps tier will cost you $30 monthly.
What are other ACP alternatives for low-income households?
If discounted plans from your internet provider are not available, you canexplore other options from many local and state subsidies and nonprofits. Let's dig deeper into the details.
Lifeline
Lifeline is a federal subsidy that provides $9.25 per month to low-income households for home internet or cellphone plans. Its eligibility requirements are a little stricter than those of the ACP. Your income must be 135% or less than the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or $43,403 for a family of four.
Am I eligible for Lifeline?
Household size 48 contiguous states, DC and territories Alaska Hawaii 1 $21,128 $26,393 $24,287 2 $28,553 $35,681 $32,832 3 $35,978 $44,969 $41,378 4 $43,403 $54,257 $49,923 5 $50,828 $63,545 $58,469 6 $58,253 $72,833 $67,041 7 $65,678 $82,121 $75,560 8 $73,103 $91,409 $84,105 For each additional person, add: $7,425 $9,288 $8,546
Show more (4 items) Shop providers at my address
Source: USAC Lifeline Support
You can also get Lifeline if you (or someone who lives with you) participates in any of the following programs:
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly known as Food Stamps)
Medicaid
Supplemental Security Income, or SSI
Federal Public Housing Assistance, or FPHA
Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
If you live in California, Oregon or Texas, you must check with your internet provider or visit your state's website to apply for the program.
State and local resources
Some states and cities across the country offer their own local versions of the ACP to help low-income households pay for internet service. California, for example, has a website that allows you to search affordable options in your ZIP code based on various eligibility criteria and Oregon provides an enhanced Lifeline benefit of $19.25 monthly.
Some cities, like Chicago, offer free internet to families in Chicago public schools and eligible city colleges through its Chicago Connected program. The best way to find these resources is to go to Google and search for "[location] internet resources."
Read more: Check out the low-cost internet available in your state
Low-income programs from internet providers
Many internet providers, including AT&T, Spectrum and Xfinity, offer discounted plans for low-income households. Requirements vary but they're usually similar to the ACP: You must meet certain income requirements or participate in a federal program like SNAP or the National School Lunch Program.
To help consumers navigate these discounted plans, the National Digital Inclusion Alliance created a scoring system called Grading Internet for Good, based on cost, transparency and plan performance. I've included the NDIA ratings below, along with some basic information about each plan.
Internet provider discounts
To determine which providers are available in your area, enter your address on the Federal Communication Commission's broadband map.
Nonprofit organizations
There are several nonprofits around the country that strive to close the digital divide. Some help with monthly internet costs, while others provide devices that connect to the internet. These organizations all received nonprofit status from the IRS and were vetted by watchdogs Charity Navigator and Guidestar.org.
Explore other internet plans in your area
If your bill's going up dramatically with the end of the ACP, another option is to search for other internet providers in your area. Most ISPs offer plans below $50 monthly. You can find cheap internet plans starting at about $20 to $40 a month with Xfinity, Astound and Frontier Fiber.
Purchasing your own equipment can also save you some extra money each month. It usually costs around $15 to rent a modem and router from your internet provider, while you can buy your own for as little as $100, especially if you go with refurbished equipment. That said, you'll need to ensure your modem is compatible with your provider before you purchase.
Digital Heroes: Connecting New Yorkers to Affordable, High-Speed Internet Access Digital Heroes: Connecting New Yorkers to Affordable, High-Speed Internet Access
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Digital Heroes: Connecting New Yorkers to Affordable, High-Speed Internet Access
Other ways to save money on home internet
According to a recent CNET broadband survey, on average, US adults paid $195 more for their home internet than the year prior. In addition, 63% saw their prices increase in 2024. While your ISP increasing its prices is virtually unavoidable, there are ways for you to save money on your home internet.
Start by determining how much speed you actually need. While the speediest plans might be enticing, your household may not need that much. Your household's speed needs will vary based on many factors, such as the number of connected devices and whether you stream or game frequently. As I mentioned earlier, another way to save money is by using your own equipment instead of renting from your ISP. In addition, bundling your home internet with a TV or mobile plan can bring monthly discounts. However, be mindful not to fall into pricing traps when considering this option. You can also try negotiating with your ISP for a better deal that works for you.