Q: What's the difference between ACP and Lifeline?

ACP was a broadband-specific benefit ($30/month, or $75 on tribal lands) created in 2021 during the pandemic. Funded through a one-time appropriation. Expired 2024. Lifeline is a 1985 program that provides $9.25/month toward phone OR internet service. Permanent funding through the Universal Service Fund (a surcharge on phone bills). Still active. Different qualifying rules — Lifeline is stricter (135% FPG vs ACP's 200% FPG) but it's permanent.

Question 1

Is the ACP really gone?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) stopped accepting new enrollees in February 2024 and fully ended for existing enrollees on June 1, 2024 when funding ran out. Congress did not renew it. ACP benefits of $30/month ($75/month on tribal lands) toward internet service are no longer available.

Question 2

What replaced ACP?

Accepted Answer

Nothing replaced the full $30/month internet subsidy as a single federal program. However, several existing benefits cover overlapping ground: federal Lifeline ($9.25/month toward phone or internet, still active); state Lifeline supplements in 10 states (California, Texas, Oregon, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Wisconsin, Vermont, New Mexico, Puerto Rico) stack additional discounts; ISP-specific low-income plans (Xfinity Internet Essentials, Spectrum Internet Assist, AT&T Access) offer $10-20/month internet to qualifying households.

Question 3

I was on ACP. What do I do now?

Accepted Answer

You should already have been transitioned. Here's the order of operations: (1) If you qualified for ACP, you most likely qualify for Lifeline — apply through a Lifeline provider to preserve the $9.25/month discount. (2) If your ISP offers a low-income plan (Xfinity Internet Essentials, Spectrum Internet Assist, AT&T Access), apply directly to keep internet at $10-20/month. (3) Check if your state has a Lifeline supplement — 10 states stack extra benefits.

Question 4

What's the difference between ACP and Lifeline?

Accepted Answer

ACP was a broadband-specific benefit ($30/month, or $75 on tribal lands) created in 2021 during the pandemic. Funded through a one-time appropriation. Expired 2024. Lifeline is a 1985 program that provides $9.25/month toward phone OR internet service. Permanent funding through the Universal Service Fund (a surcharge on phone bills). Still active. Different qualifying rules — Lifeline is stricter (135% FPG vs ACP's 200% FPG) but it's permanent.

Question 5

Will Congress bring ACP back?

Accepted Answer

As of April 2026, no renewed ACP funding has been enacted. Bills have been introduced (ACCESS Act and similar) but none have passed. Advocacy groups continue to push for restoration, but there's no timeline. We update this page when legislation moves — sign up for our newsletter to be notified if ACP returns.

Question 6

Do I still qualify for Lifeline if I qualified for ACP?

Accepted Answer

Probably, but not guaranteed. ACP allowed households up to 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Lifeline is stricter — 135% FPG. If your household income was between 135% and 200% FPG, you qualified for ACP but may not for Lifeline. However, if you participated in a qualifying program (SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, Section 8, Veterans Pension, WIC, tribal programs), you qualify for Lifeline via program regardless of income.

Question 7

What about ISP-specific low-income internet plans?

Accepted Answer

Several major ISPs continue to offer low-income internet plans independently of ACP. Xfinity Internet Essentials: $9.95-$14.95/month for qualifying households. Spectrum Internet Assist: $19.99/month for SSI, NSLP, or Community Eligibility Provision. AT&T Access: $10-30/month for SNAP, SSI, or Veterans Pension. Cox ConnectAssist: $30/month for federal program participants. Apply directly through the ISP — these don't require a separate federal application.

Question 8

What about the free tablet I got with ACP?

Accepted Answer

You keep it. Tablets issued under ACP were given outright; there's no obligation to return them. Monthly service to those tablets ended with ACP unless you transitioned to a Lifeline-eligible plan on the same device. If your provider ships a new Lifeline SIM, most ACP-era tablets work fine with it.

	ACP (ended)	Lifeline (active)
Monthly benefit	$30/mo ($75 tribal)	$9.25/mo (+$1-12 in supplement states)
What it covers	Broadband only	Phone OR internet (pick one)
Income cap	200% of Federal Poverty Guidelines	135% of Federal Poverty Guidelines
Program qualifiers	SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, Pell Grant, NSLP, WIC, Tribal	SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, Section 8, Veterans Pension, WIC, Tribal
Funding	One-time Congressional appropriation (2021)	Universal Service Fund (permanent)
Status	Ended June 2024	Still active, no sunset date

The Affordable Connectivity Program ended. Here's what actually replaced it.

Lifeline is free

Keep your number

No spam. No robocalls.

ACP vs. Lifeline — side by side.

What to do now (in order).

ACP ended — FAQ.

See what you qualify for now.