The government has decided to put an end to the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), a program through which millions of low-income households in the country could access internet at home, something that is truly necessary nowadays, from booking a doctor’s appointment to studying, everything is done through a screen. But, the program ended, maybe you noticed it with the increase in your internet bill, but here we are to offer you the best alternatives to this program!
What was the ACP?
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) was a federal program promoted by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) with the goal that families with low income could have access to the internet, turning the internet into a tool accessible to everyone, as it should be, especially now that everything works through the internet.
This program, if you met the requirements, offered you a discount of up to $30 (or $75 if you lived in tribal areas) to pay your internet bill. In addition, they offered discounts if you bought a laptop, a computer or a tablet.
ACP was the successor of the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) in 2021, and now it has also ended.
Why did it end?
Although Congress approved more than 14 billion dollars to fund it in 2021, the money ran out. And since there was no political agreement to renew it, the program ended in June 2024. Just like that. It is estimated that about 5 million households were left disconnected. And that, in the middle of 2025, sounds like a setback… Even more if we are talking about families that are below the poverty line, making it so that now the same gap that this program tried to avoid has come back again.
What alternatives are left now?
There are options. Not as generous as the ACP, but something is something. These are the most relevant:
- Lifeline: Lifeline is a program that has been running for years. It offers a $9.25 discount per month on your internet or cell phone bill. It is for households with incomes up to 135% of the poverty level, which would be about $42,120 annually for a family of four. You can also qualify if any member of your household already receives benefits like SNAP.
- EveryoneOn: This organization (non-profit) offers internet services and computer equipment to low-income families.
- Chicago Connected: If you live in Chicago and have children in public schools, this program gives you free access to high-speed internet. It does not apply to the whole country, but it is worth checking if your city has similar initiatives.
And what if you don’t meet the requirements for any of them?
Then it’s time to look at what internet companies offer. Some have low-cost plans that are not well promoted, or loyalty discounts. You can also save by comparing renting and buying the modem or router. It may seem small, but in the long run, it adds up.
It’s not a luxury. It’s a necessity.
Being left without internet today means being left out of everyday life. Everything depends on being connected: medical appointments, government forms, interviews, classes, scholarships, shopping… That’s why, even though the ACP has disappeared, you’ve already seen that there are other alternatives that can give you a hand. Remember that, for better or worse, we live through the internet, and not having access will only make a certain group of people become isolated once again…