How to get free or low-income internet plans in 2026

For about two years, the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) gave eligible households a discount on their monthly internet bill, funded by Congress and run through the FCC. The program stopped accepting new enrollments and then ended entirely in 2024 after its funding was not renewed (FCC, checked October 2026).

If you remember signing up for ACP or hearing about it, it's reasonable to assume that specific discount is gone unless Congress funds a similar program again. Watch for news from the FCC directly rather than relying on older articles or ads that may describe a program that no longer exists.

Lifeline is a longer-standing FCC program that provides a monthly discount on phone or internet service for qualifying low-income households, and it predates the ACP by many years (FCC, checked October 2026). It's smaller in value than the ACP was, but it hasn't gone anywhere.

Eligibility is generally based on participation in certain assistance programs (such as SNAP, Medicaid, or federal public housing assistance) or on household income falling at or below a set level relative to the federal poverty guidelines. Only one Lifeline discount is allowed per household, and the rules distinguish a household by address and shared finances, not by individual family members.

To apply, you generally go through the National Verifier or apply directly with a participating provider in your state, who can confirm current eligibility rules and documentation needed. Because program details and dollar amounts can change, confirm the current rules on the FCC's Lifeline page or with a participating provider before assuming you do or don't qualify.

Separately from any federal program, a number of large internet providers run their own low-cost plans aimed at households that meet certain income or assistance criteria — often tied to participation in programs like SNAP, Medicaid, or the National School Lunch Program, or to being a senior with qualifying income. These plans are set and funded by the company itself, not by the government, so their price, speed, and eligibility rules vary by provider and can change.

Because these offers shift over time, the most reliable way to check one is to search the provider's own name plus a phrase like 'internet assistance program' or 'affordable internet plan' and read the current terms directly from their site, including what documents you'll need to prove eligibility.

If you're not sure where to start, your local public library is one of the most useful, no-judgment resources available. Libraries typically know which local and provider programs are currently active, can help with the application paperwork, and offer free Wi-Fi and computer use in the meantime.

School districts, especially those serving lower-income areas, often maintain lists of discounted internet options for families, and some lend out mobile hotspots directly to students. Community action agencies, which exist in most counties and handle other forms of assistance, are another dependable source of current, local information.

Programs differ in their exact rules, but most low-income internet offers lean on similar proof: participation in SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, federal public housing assistance, or the National School Lunch/Breakfast Program, or a household income at or below a set percentage of the federal poverty guidelines. Veterans and seniors sometimes have additional or separate qualifying paths.

Keep a few documents handy when you apply: a recent benefits award letter, a pay stub or tax return showing income, and a piece of mail confirming your address. Having these ready speeds up almost any application.

Start by checking whether you already qualify for Lifeline through the National Verifier or a participating provider in your state. Then search for low-income plans from the internet providers actually available at your address — availability varies block by block, so a plan advertised nationally may not be offered on your street.

If you get stuck, call or visit your local library or community action agency; walking in with your address and a rough sense of your household income is usually enough for them to point you to the right program. Keep any confirmation numbers or paperwork in case you need to reverify eligibility later.