If you lost your internet discount when the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) ended, you’re not alone — and you’re not out of options. The ACP gave more than 23 million households up to $30 a month off their bill, and when it ran out of money in mid-2024, a lot of families saw their internet cost jump overnight. For some, that meant cutting off the connection they needed for work, school, and doctor visits.
Here’s the good news: even without the ACP, there are still real ways to get internet for a low monthly price in 2026. The trick is knowing which programs are still running, who qualifies, and how to combine them. This guide walks you through all of it in plain language.
TL;DR — Quick Answer
What Happened to the ACP?
The Affordable Connectivity Program was a federal benefit that gave low-income households up to $30 a month off internet ($75 on Tribal lands). It launched in late 2021 and, for a while, it worked well — at its peak it helped over 23 million families stay online.
But the ACP was funded by a one-time pot of $14.2 billion, and when that money ran out, the program stopped. The last full month of benefits was April 2024, and the discount officially ended on June 1, 2024. Congress has introduced bills to bring it back, but as of 2026, none have passed, and there’s no direct federal replacement.
Because the ACP ended, any website asking you to “enroll in the ACP” or pay a fee to sign up is not legitimate. Never give your Social Security number or bank details to a site promising ACP benefits. The real programs below are free to apply for. If you spot a fake ACP site, you can report it at fcc.gov/complaints.
Cheapest Low-Income Internet Programs in 2026
These are the programs still running today. Most are tied to government assistance you may already receive — like SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, or free/reduced school lunch — or to having a K-12 student at home. We’ve put the lowest-cost option first.
Cox Connect2Compete
Best for families with a K-12 student
$9.95
/month · 100 MbpsSpeed 100 Mbps, Equipment included, Qualify K-12 + aid
- Just $9.95/mo with a solid 100 Mbps — the best price-to-speed deal available
- For households with a K-12 student who get SNAP, TANF, or similar aid
- No annual contract, no deposit, free Wi-Fi modem
- Cox also offers ConnectAssist ($30/mo, 100 Mbps) for homes without a student
- Available in 18+ states
Xfinity Internet Essentials
Widest availability
$14.95
/month · 75 MbpsSpeed up to 75 Mbps, Credit check none, Qualify SNAP, Medicaid
- $14.95/mo for up to 75 Mbps; no credit check and no SSN required
- Internet Essentials Plus offers 100 Mbps for $29.95/mo
- Qualify through SNAP, Medicaid, NSLP, and other aid programs
- Option to buy a discounted laptop or Chromebook for $149.99
- Largest footprint of any low-income plan — 40 states
Spectrum Internet Assist
Good for seniors on SSI
$24.99
/month · 50 MbpsSpeed 50 Mbps, Modem free, Qualify NSLP, SSI
- $24.99/mo for 50 Mbps with a free modem and no data caps
- Open to households on the National School Lunch Program or CEP
- Also available to seniors 65+ who receive SSI
- Advanced Wi-Fi is an optional $5/mo add-on
- Available in 41 states
Access from AT&T
No install or equipment fees
$30
/month · 100 MbpsSpeed up to 100 Mbps, Setup no fees, Qualify SNAP, SSI
- Up to 100 Mbps where fiber is available, $30/mo
- No installation fee, no equipment fee, no annual contract
- Qualify through SNAP, SSI (in some states), or income limits
- Speed depends on your address (fiber vs. older lines)
- Available in 21 states
T-Mobile Project 10Million
Free for K-12 students
$0
/month hotspot + dataDevice free hotspot, Data included, Qualify K-12 + NSLP
- Free mobile hotspot and yearly data for eligible K-12 student families
- Set up through your child’s school district
- Great backup or primary option if no wired plan fits your budget
- Paid upgrade options available if you need more data
- Available nationwide
Federal Lifeline
Stack it on a plan to save more
$9.25
/month (discount)Discount $9.25/mo, Tribal $34.25/mo, Type federal program
- A permanent FCC discount — not the ACP, and not going away
- Apply it to a participating provider’s internet or phone bill
- Qualify by income (≤135% of poverty line) or via SNAP, Medicaid, SSI
- One benefit per household; renew once a year
- Available in all 50 states
Not sure which program you qualify for?
Call (855) 696-0156
Quick Comparison: Low-Income Programs Side by Side
Here’s every option in one place, sorted by price. Match the “who qualifies” column to the benefits your household already gets — that’s usually your fastest path to approval.
| Program | Price | Speed | Who Qualifies |
|---|---|---|---|
| T-Mobile Project 10Million | $0/mo | Hotspot data | K-12 students on NSLP |
| Cox Connect2Compete | $9.95/mo | 100 Mbps | K-12 family + assistance |
| Xfinity Internet Essentials | $14.95/mo | Up to 75 Mbps | SNAP, Medicaid, NSLP |
| Optimum Advantage* | $15/mo | 100 Mbps | NSLP, SSI, NYC schools |
| Spectrum Internet Assist | $24.99/mo | 50 Mbps | NSLP, CEP, senior SSI |
| Access from AT&T | $30/mo | Up to 100 Mbps | SNAP, SSI, income |
| Cox ConnectAssist | $30/mo | 100 Mbps | Income / assistance (no student needed) |
| Federal Lifeline | −$9.25/mo | Discount only | Income ≤135% poverty, SNAP, SSI |
Optimum Advantage availability is limited to certain regions. Prices and speeds are current 2026 figures and exclude taxes. Always confirm the offer at your exact address before applying.
How to “Stack” Discounts and Save Even More
Since no single program replaces the ACP’s $30 discount, the smartest move in 2026 is stacking — combining the federal Lifeline discount with a low-cost provider plan. Done right, it can bring your bill close to zero.
Stacking only works if your provider accepts Lifeline. Two of the biggest names — Xfinity and Spectrum — do not take Lifeline, so you can’t lower their plans further with it. But providers like Frontier, Windstream, and Astound do, so you can apply your $9.25 Lifeline credit to their qualifying plans. When a provider doesn’t take Lifeline, their already-low flat rate (like Internet Essentials at $14.95) is your best price.
How to Apply, Step by Step
Find a benefit award letter (SNAP, Medicaid, SSI) or recent proof of income like a pay stub or tax return. Most programs accept a photo of one of these.
Go to lifelinesupport.org or call 800-234-9473. Approval usually takes 1–5 business days. This is your foundation discount.
Choose the cheapest plan you qualify for from the list above — Cox Connect2Compete and Xfinity Internet Essentials are great starting points.
If your chosen provider takes Lifeline, ask them to apply your credit. If not, you’ll still pay their low flat rate.
Ask the retention department if any added promotion is available. Agents can often apply an extra $5–15/mo discount on the spot.
Don’t Forget Free Devices and Local Help
Affordable internet doesn’t help much without a device to use it on. A few programs help with that too:
- Xfinity Internet Essentials offers a discounted laptop or Chromebook for about $149.99.
- PCs for People provides refurbished computers for under $200 and low-cost hotspots to qualifying households.
- Human-I-T and EveryoneOn connect families with low-cost devices and local internet offers.
- Public libraries often lend hotspots and laptops for free — a great stopgap while you set up service.
- Verizon Forward offers discounts on Fios and 5G Home for eligible households where Verizon is available.
Frequently Asked Questions
As of 2026, no. The ACP ended on June 1, 2024, after its funding ran out, and while bills to revive it have been introduced in Congress, none have passed. There’s no direct federal replacement. The practical advice is to use the programs that are active today — like Lifeline and provider plans — rather than wait for the ACP to return.
For families with a K-12 student, Cox Connect2Compete at $9.95/month for 100 Mbps is the best value. Xfinity Internet Essentials at $14.95/month is the most widely available. And if you have a student but no budget at all, T-Mobile Project 10Million offers a free hotspot with data through participating schools.
Most programs accept you automatically if you’re enrolled in a government assistance program like SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, or free/reduced school lunch (NSLP). You can also qualify by income — generally at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines, which is roughly $21,500 a year for one person in 2026. Have a benefit letter or proof of income ready when you apply.
Sometimes. This is called “stacking,” and it’s the best way to save now that the ACP is gone — but it only works if the provider accepts Lifeline. Xfinity and Spectrum do not participate in Lifeline, so you can’t lower those plans with it. Providers like Frontier, Windstream, and Astound do accept it, letting you apply the $9.25 monthly discount to a qualifying plan.
No. Lifeline is a separate, older program that has run since 1985 and was not affected when the ACP ended. It offers a smaller discount — up to $9.25/month ($34.25 on Tribal lands) — but it’s permanent and still fully active, with FCC waivers extended through December 2026. If you had the ACP, you very likely qualify for Lifeline too.
Yes. Some programs, including Xfinity Internet Essentials, do not require a Social Security number to apply. Eligibility is usually based on income or participation in an assistance program. Contact the provider directly and ask what documents they accept in place of an SSN.
Take three steps. First, apply for Lifeline at lifelinesupport.org. Second, ask your current provider whether you can switch to their low-income plan, like Internet Essentials or Connect2Compete. Third, compare other providers at your address — switching sometimes unlocks a lower “new customer” rate. Doing all three usually gets your bill back to an affordable level.
Last updated June 2026. The Affordable Connectivity Program ended June 1, 2024, and no federal replacement has been enacted as of this writing. All prices, speeds, eligibility rules, and availability vary by location and are subject to change. Program details should be confirmed directly with each provider and with official sources such as the FCC and lifelinesupport.org. This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or legal advice.
