The Affordable Connectivity Program is a federal communications initiative regulated by the FCC, designed to bridge the digital divide by helping low-income households afford critical broadband and mobile services.
Learn more at FCC.gov/ACP ↗The ACP was launched to ensure that households across the United States have the necessary digital connectivity for remote learning, telehealth, online job applications, and day-to-day operations. For eligible households, the program provided up to a $30/month discount on internet or cellular service (and up to $75/month on qualifying Tribal Lands), along with one-time discounts on hardware devices like tablets, laptops, and desktop computers.
Under the FCC guidelines, a household was eligible for the ACP if their total annual income was at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or if at least one member of the household participated in any of the following federal programs:
If your household does not participate in any federal assistance programs, you can still qualify based on income. Below is the maximum yearly income allowed to qualify under the 200% threshold:
| Household Size | 48 Contiguous States & DC (Annual) | Alaska (Annual) | Hawaii (Annual) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Person | $30,120 | $37,640 | $34,640 |
| 2 People | $40,880 | $51,100 | $47,020 |
| 3 People | $51,640 | $64,560 | $59,400 |
| 4 People | $62,400 | $78,020 | $71,780 |
| 5 People | $73,160 | $91,480 | $84,160 |
| Each Add. Person | +$10,760 | +$13,460 | +$12,380 |
Find answers to specific questions about the Affordable Connectivity Program and its current transition.
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a federal program regulated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to ensure low-income households have access to broadband connections. It provides discounts toward internet service and device costs to bridge the digital divide.
The ACP officially ran out of funding in mid-2024. Consequently, the FCC has paused new applications and active subsidies. However, our portal helps you check eligibility for the Lifeline program, which is fully funded and continues to offer free mobile plans and smartphones to eligible citizens.
Yes. The eligibility criteria overlap significantly. The major difference is that Lifeline requires household income to be at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (compared to 200% for ACP), or active participation in qualifying programs like Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, Section 8, or Veterans Benefits. If you qualify via these federal programs, you automatically qualify for Lifeline.
Under the active program, households received free unlimited talk, text, and 4G/5G mobile data, plus up to 10GB of mobile hotspot data. Some providers also offered tablets or laptops for a small $10.00 co-pay contribution.