The $30 That Disappeared: Finding Affordable Internet After the ACP

On June 1, 2024, a lot of households opened their internet bill and saw it jump.

That's the day the Affordable Connectivity Program, the ACP, ended. It had given eligible households up to $30 a month off internet service, and up to $75 on qualifying Tribal lands. The FCC said it ended "due to a lack of additional funding from Congress" (FCC). More than 20 million households had enrolled (FCC).

Thirty dollars doesn't sound like much until it's the difference between staying connected and not. And being connected isn't optional anymore. It's how you apply for jobs, see your doctor, do homework, and reach the benefits office.

So let's talk about what's left, and how to find it.

Lifeline: the program that's still here

Lifeline is the FCC's long-running program to make phone and internet service more affordable. It's smaller than the ACP was, but it's still running. Here's how it works, per the FCC:

The discount:

• Up to $9.25 a month off qualifying internet or bundled service
• Up to $5.25 a month for voice-only phone service
• Up to $34.25 a month total on qualifying Tribal lands

Who qualifies: Your household income is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or someone in your household participates in:

• SNAP
• Medicaid
• Federal Public Housing Assistance
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit
• Certain Tribal programs

The rules: One Lifeline benefit per household, on either a home internet or mobile plan, not both. And you'll need to recertify each year.

How to apply: Apply through the National Verifier at lifelinesupport.org, or through a participating phone or internet company. The FCC also lists a Lifeline Support Center at (800) 234-9473 for questions (FCC).

A special note for survivors

Under the Safe Connections Act, survivors of domestic violence and similar abuse experiencing financial hardship can get emergency Lifeline support for up to six months, with broader ways to qualify, including income up to 200% of poverty guidelines, WIC, free or reduced school lunch, or a Pell Grant (FCC). If that's you or someone you love, it's worth knowing.

Internet providers' own low-cost plans

Separately from Lifeline, many internet providers run their own low-income plans. These are set by the companies, not the government, so details change and availability depends on your exact address.

My honest advice: don't trust a price you read online, including here. Call or check the provider's site with your address. Eligibility usually follows programs like SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, the National School Lunch Program or public housing. Some may let you stack Lifeline on top. Ask.

How to pick the right plan: four questions

This is where a little technical knowledge saves money and headaches. Before you sign up, ask:

1. What's the real monthly price? Ask for the total after taxes and fees, and whether there's an equipment or modem rental fee. A "$15" plan with a $15 router fee is a $30 plan.

2. What speed do I actually need? Speed is measured in megabits per second (Mbps). Two numbers matter: download (streaming, browsing) and upload (video calls, sending files). Video calls are where cheap plans struggle, because upload speeds are often much lower than download. If someone in your home works remotely or does online school, ask about upload speed specifically. And remember, speed is shared: four people streaming and video-calling at once need more than one person checking email.

3. Is there a data cap? Some plans, especially mobile and hotspot plans, limit how much data you can use each month. Streaming video uses a lot. Ask what happens if you go over: slower speeds, or extra charges?

4. Is there a contract or credit check? Many low-income plans don't require either. Make sure yours doesn't lock you in.

Don't forget the device and the skills

Internet is only one piece. The other two legs of the stool are a working device and the skills to use it safely. That's exactly what digital navigators help with: finding the right plan, setting up the device, and learning to use it. I explained what they do in What a Digital Navigator Actually Does.

In Seattle, your library is a great first stop for tech help, and the City funds community groups doing this work through its Technology Matching Fund. Applications for 2027 are due January 15, 2027 (City of Seattle). At the Digital Bridge Lab we're building at the McKinney Center, access and navigation are two of our four pillars for exactly this reason.

The policy picture

Lifeline is funded through the Universal Service Fund, not a one-time appropriation, which is why it survived when the ACP didn't. But $9.25 isn't $30, and Lifeline's 135% income limit is stricter than the ACP's was. As of today, Congress hasn't created a replacement.

At the same time, the federal Digital Equity Act grants were canceled in 2025, with part of the money now being restored. I covered that whole story in They Canceled the Digital Equity Money. The Work Didn't Stop.

If affordable internet matters to you, tell your members of Congress. A short message works: "Please fund an affordable broadband program for low-income households."

Share this with one person

The people who most need this information are often the least likely to see it online. Print it. Text it. Share it with a neighbor, a grandparent, a family at your kid's school.

Pour me another: Did losing the ACP change anything in your household or community? Tell me through the contact form.

Sip slow, stay curious.D