You might think free internet through the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) was an unlimited resource, but the program actually ended in June 2024 after serving over 20 million low-income households with discounts up to $30 monthly, or $75 for Tribal households.
Despite its termination, the ACP’s impact on narrowing the digital divide can’t be overlooked, and many are now watching closely to see if similar initiatives will rise to continue supporting affordable internet access for those who need it most.
Key Takeaways
- The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) provided eligible low-income households a monthly internet discount of up to $30, and $75 for Tribal lands, until it ended June 1, 2024.
- Eligibility required income at or below 200% of Federal Poverty Guidelines or participation in assistance programs like SNAP or Medicaid.
- ACP stopped accepting new applications on February 7, 2024, with benefits ending by June 1, 2024 due to exhausted congressional funding.
- The program also offered a one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, desktop, or tablet purchased via participating providers.
- After ACP ended, affected households need to explore alternative low-cost internet options from providers or community programs.
Understanding the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)
Although the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) has ended as of June 1, 2024, understanding how it functioned is crucial.
The ACP was designed to make internet service more affordable for low-income households by offering monthly discounts of up to $30, and up to $75 for those on Tribal lands.
To be eligible, at least one household member had to participate in government assistance programs like SNAP or Medicaid.
The program also provided a one-time device discount of up to $100 and included consumer protections to guarantee access without financial penalties, helping over 20 million households bridge the digital divide.
Eligibility Criteria for Low-Income Internet Programs
To qualify for low-income internet programs such as the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), your household’s total income must be at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, which vary by household size and state.
You can also qualify by participating in government assistance programs like SNAP or Medicaid. Eligible households may receive benefits if they participate in programs like the National School Lunch Program.
This qualifying income threshold or program participation makes households eligible for discounted internet services, offering critical financial support for families struggling to stay connected.
In many cases, felons re-entering society can also benefit from these programs, especially if they’re already enrolled in aid initiatives, helping them access job opportunities, education, and support networks online.
Application Process for AT&T Access Program
Before applying for the AT&T Access program, you’ll need to verify that home internet service is available at your address.
You must complete the online application yourself and provide supporting documentation like recent W-2 or SSA-1099 forms if income verification is required.
Once approved, you’ll re-enter your address to finalize enrollment, and you can call 855.220.5211 for application assistance if needed.
Eligibility Verification
Once you confirm internet service availability at your home address, you can begin the AT&T Access application by submitting your information and agreeing to the program’s terms and conditions yourself.
To verify eligibility, you must demonstrate qualifying income below 200% of federal poverty guidelines or participation in qualifying government programs such as SNAP, NSLP, or California SSI.
If your income can’t be automatically verified, upload documents like W-2 or SSA-1099 forms. Those approved through government assistance programs may apply without additional income proof.
After applying, check your email (including Spam) for SheerID verification instructions.
Customer support is available in English and Spanish.
Application Submission
After confirming your home’s eligibility for AT&T internet service, you begin the application by submitting your personal details and agreeing to the program’s terms and conditions.
During application submission, if you qualify based on income, you need to upload documentation such as a recent W-2 or Social Security statement to verify your qualifying income.
However, if you qualify through approved government programs, extra income proof isn’t necessary.
After you apply, check your email for further instructions from SheerID Verification.
For assistance, call customer support at 855.220.5211, available in English and Spanish.
Supporting Documentation Required for Access From At&T
To qualify for Access from AT&T, you must provide legible supporting documentation that verifies either your enrollment in qualifying government assistance programs or your household income level.
This documentation confirms your eligibility for the qualifying income discount program. You may need to submit:
- Proof of participation in assistance programs such as SNAP, SSI, or the National School Lunch Program, including official letters or cards.
- Household income documents like recent W-2 forms, SSA-1099, or Social Security statements verifying income and household size.
- If applying for an applicant under 16, a guardian’s documentation confirming program enrollment is required.
Costs and Offers of Low-Income Internet Plans
The costs associated with low-income internet plans have been significantly reduced through programs like the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which offers eligible households a monthly discount of up to $30 on internet services, or up to $75 for those living on Tribal lands.
The ACP motivates providers to design plans costing $30 or less, often with speeds around 100 Mbps to meet typical household needs.
Additionally, low-income households can receive a one-time device discount of up to $100 for eligible purchases.
These plans also include safeguards preventing forced shifts to costly or inferior service, ensuring continued affordability and access for eligible users.
The Impact of the Digital Divide on Low-Income Families
Because reliable internet access remains out of reach for many low-income families, the digital divide hampers their ability to engage in activities like remote learning and work opportunities.
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) provided essential $30 monthly subsidies to ease these costs but was shut down in May 2024 due to funding issues.
Key impacts include:
- Over 20 million households still lack reliable internet, limiting digital inclusion.
- 14% of households earning under $25,000 lack broadband, versus 1% of those over $100,000.
- 30% of low-income families depend solely on smartphones, restricting educational and work access.
This underlines persistent inequality despite past progress.
Alternative Low-Cost Internet Options
| Provider | Speed / Features | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Spectrum Internet | 50 Mbps, ACP eligible | $25 |
| Viasat | Location-based plans, ACP discounts | Varies by region |
| AT&T | No fees, no contracts | Affordable tiers |
These choices help bridge the digital divide for low-income families.
Bridging the Digital Divide Through Community Initiatives
Community network models and public-private partnerships play an essential role in bridging the digital divide by combining resources to provide affordable, reliable internet access to underserved areas.
You can see affordable access strategies in action through programs like the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which have successfully enrolled millions of low-income households and reduced connectivity gaps.
Community Network Models
- Around 100 community networks serve 200,000 U.S. households, focusing on digital equity and access for marginalized groups.
- These networks provide lower costs than traditional ISPs.
- They boost local employment, education, and digital literacy within communities.
Public-Private Partnerships
Public-private partnerships are instrumental in bridging the digital divide, as they effectively combine the resources and expertise of both the government and private sector to expand internet access in underserved communities.
Through initiatives like the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), these partnerships facilitate collaboration between Internet Service Providers and local governments, ensuring low-income households receive subsidies for internet services.
This cooperation has helped enroll over 20 million households by late 2023, significantly boosting broadband adoption rates.
Affordable Access Strategies
Expanding affordable internet access requires active strategies that go beyond subsidies to tackle barriers like awareness, device availability, and digital skills.
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) offers discounts up to $30 monthly to eligible households with qualifying income, but reaching those households requires additional steps:
- Collaborate with local organizations and internet providers to raise awareness and drive ACP enrollment.
- Utilize schools and libraries as free Wi-Fi and computer access points.
- Implement digital literacy programs to build skills for education and employment.
These combined efforts significantly lower the number of households without reliable broadband and promote digital inclusion.
Program-Based Eligibility for Internet Discounts
Because the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) ties eligibility to participation in specific government assistance initiatives, qualifying for internet discounts often depends on your involvement in programs like SNAP, Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA), or the National School Lunch Program.
Additionally, having an income at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines also qualifies you for the ACP. Successful applicants can receive up to a $30 monthly internet discount, or $75 if residing on Tribal lands. This supports affordable access through the program.
Future of Affordable Internet Access Initiatives
As you consider the future of affordable internet access initiatives, you’ll need to address ongoing funding challenges, such as the recent termination of the Affordable Connectivity Program due to a lack of additional congressional funding.
You’ll also be evaluating policy developments, including efforts like the proposed $7 billion bipartisan bill aimed at sustaining similar programs.
Additionally, you’ll need to investigate how technology innovations can improve internet accessibility and affordability for underserved communities.
Funding Challenges
- A bipartisan $7 billion funding bill introduced in January 2024 never reached a vote.
- The ACP ended despite broad support from policymakers and industry.
- Without new congressional action, affordable access efforts remain uncertain.
The withdrawal of ACP funding underscores the fragile state of internet affordability programs.
Policy Developments
The termination of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) in May 2024 highlights the urgent need for policymakers to develop sustainable strategies for affordable internet access.
Despite bipartisan efforts to allocate $7 billion to sustain the ACP, no congressional vote took place, leading to the program’s shutdown.
Before ending, the ACP supported over 20 million households by providing discounts of $30 per month—or $75 for those on Tribal lands—based on qualifying income, helping bridge the digital divide.
Future policy developments must prioritize reliable funding mechanisms to restore and maintain internet affordability for low-income families.
Technology Innovations
- Improved fiber-optic networks and 5G infrastructure boosting affordable internet service delivery to low-income households.
- Expanded use of satellite internet technology, especially low Earth orbit (LEO) systems, to reach rural and underserved areas with high-speed, competitively priced options.
- Growing deployment of community mesh networks and public-private partnerships offering free or very low-cost internet, promoting digital equity beyond the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).
These innovations build on ACP’s legacy, enabling more scalable, flexible broadband solutions tailored to affordability and accessibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Can I Get Free Internet From the Government?
You can get free internet through government assistance by applying for programs like Lifeline or the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) while also using free hotspots. Contact participating ISPs to enroll and provide eligibility documents.
Is ACP Coming Back?
The ACP is not currently coming back, as no federal funding has been allocated since its shutdown in June 2024; however, ACP updates show bipartisan support and ongoing advocacy for its reinstatement, leaving ACP future uncertain but hopeful.
What Is the ACP Program in Louisiana?
The ACP program in Louisiana provided eligible residents with monthly internet discounts of up to $30 (or $75 on Tribal lands) to help low-income households afford broadband. It required income or program-based eligibility and a two-step enrollment process. However, the program ended in mid-2024 due to a lack of federal funding, leaving many without benefits despite its role in bridging the digital divide.
What Replaced the ACP Program?
The ACP program was not replaced by a federal equivalent; instead, many broadband providers now offer ACP alternatives with discounted plans, and federal Internet subsidies like Lifeline persist but with smaller benefits. You can investigate provider discounts (e.g., Xfinity, Spectrum) or Lifeline’s $9.25 monthly discount for low-income households as primary alternatives to ACP subsidies.
Conclusion
You’re standing at the edge of a digital bridge built by the Affordable Connectivity Program, where the glow of screens brightened homes once dimmed by barriers. Though the program paused in mid-2024, its impact lingers—millions connected, essential services within reach, and the promise of future efforts to keep affordability alive. Keep your documents ready and stay alert; the path to affordable internet access may soon open again, ensuring no household is left in the digital shadows.
