The Changing Landscape of Federal Support
The ACP once provided up to $30 a month toward internet service for eligible low-income households. When that funding ended, a gap opened that no federal replacement has yet filled as of mid-2026. Several bills have been introduced in Congress, including the Secure and Affordable Broadband Extension Act, but none has passed. This leaves the Lifeline program as the primary federal mechanism still running nationwide.
Lifeline, administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) under the direction of the FCC, offers up to $9.25 a month toward phone or internet service for qualifying households, with a higher benefit of up to $34.25 a month for those living on Tribal lands. Eligibility typically requires household income at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines, or participation in programs such as SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, Federal Public Housing Assistance, or certain Veterans benefits. Applications go through the National Verifier at lifelinesupport.org, and service providers can usually confirm a benefit within a few business days.
The reality is that $9.25 does not cover a full broadband bill by itself. That is why the most practical strategy in 2026 involves stacking the federal benefit with provider-specific low-income plans and, where available, newer state-level subsidies.
States Are Stepping In
With no federal program to replace ACP, a small but growing number of states have built their own support systems. New Mexico became the first to launch a direct ACP-style subsidy when its Low-Income Telecommunications Assistance Program (LITAP) took effect on July 1, 2026. It offers up to $30 a month toward internet service for households earning $45,000 a year or less or those already enrolled in Lifeline. Unlike the old federal program, LITAP is funded through a small surcharge on phone and internet bills in the state, which supporters say should make it more stable over time.
California launched its LifeLine Home Broadband Pilot in January 2026, the most established state-level effort so far. Households that qualify for the existing California LifeLine program can receive up to $20 a month off broadband, or up to $30 a month if the broadband is bundled with voice service from the same provider. The pilot also offers a one-time reimbursement of up to $39 for new connection charges and requires minimum service speeds of 100/20 Mbps. Qualifying households generally have income at or below 135% of the federal poverty line or participate in Medi-Cal, Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, or federal housing assistance.
Oregon takes yet another approach by enhancing its state Lifeline benefit. Instead of the federal minimum of $9.25, qualifying Oregon households can receive up to $24.25 a month off high-speed internet service. New York and Connecticut have chosen a regulatory path, requiring large providers to offer capped low-cost plans rather than direct subsidy checks. Several other states, including Illinois, Colorado, Washington, and Minnesota, are actively working on legislation but had not yet launched programs as of mid-2026.
Comparing Your Main Options
| Program | Type | Typical Monthly Value | Eligibility Focus | Best For |
|---|
| Lifeline (federal) | Monthly discount | Up to $9.25 (more on Tribal lands) | Income at/below 135% of poverty level or SNAP/Medicaid | Nationwide baseline discount |
| New Mexico LITAP | State subsidy | Up to $30 | Income at/below $45,000 or Lifeline enrollees | New Mexico households |
| California LifeLine Broadband Pilot | State subsidy | Up to $30 (bundled) | Income at/below 135% of poverty level or Medi-Cal/SNAP | California households |
| Oregon enhanced Lifeline | State benefit | Up to $24.25 | Existing Lifeline qualifying criteria | Oregon households |
| Provider low-income plans | Private plans | Around $9.95 to $30 per month | Varies by provider, often tied to assistance programs | Households needing a cheaper base plan |
Provider Plans That Fill the Gap
Major internet service providers run their own low-income programs, and these remain the most widely available option after ACP ended. Comcast's Internet Essentials has served more than ten million households since 2011 and continues to offer discounted service for eligible customers, with updated pricing effective in 2026. AT&T's Access program provides low-cost home internet for households that participate in certain government assistance programs or meet income thresholds. Similar offers exist at Spectrum, Frontier, and others, with monthly costs typically falling in the range of about $10 to $30 depending on location and speed.
The strongest financial result usually comes from combining these pieces. For example, a household that qualifies for both Lifeline and a provider's low-income plan can apply the $9.25 federal discount on top of an already reduced base price. In states with their own programs, the savings can be substantially larger. Consider a hypothetical California household on a $40-per-month broadband plan: the state pilot could reduce the bill to about $10, and stacking Lifeline could bring it lower still.
How to Get Started
The first step is to determine what you qualify for, because each program has its own rules. Check the Lifeline National Verifier at lifelinesupport.org to see whether your income or participation in a qualifying program makes you eligible for the federal benefit. Have your benefit documents, such as a SNAP or Medicaid enrollment letter, ready before you start.
Next, look for state-level options where you live. Residents of New Mexico, California, and Oregon should begin with their state utility commission or public regulation commission websites, since these agencies run the newer subsidy programs. The California Public Utilities Commission publishes full program details and application guidance for the LifeLine Home Broadband Pilot.
Then contact your current or prospective internet provider to ask about low-income plans. Providers typically verify eligibility using the same federal benefit programs, so the documents you already have will usually be enough. Ask specifically whether the provider participates in Lifeline and whether its low-income plan can be combined with the federal discount. Service is typically activated within three to five business days once approved.
Finally, set a reminder to review your bill each year. Income thresholds and program rules change, and some state subsidies have annual application cycles. A household that was ineligible one year may qualify the next after a change in income, and providers occasionally adjust their low-income plan terms.
Practical Considerations for Different Households
Seniors often find that government benefit applications, prescription refills, and telehealth visits all require a reliable connection, yet many live on fixed incomes. AARP research has repeatedly highlighted that more than one in three seniors struggle to afford home internet. For this group, starting with Lifeline and then asking a provider about senior-specific plans is usually the most direct route.
Rural households face a different challenge: eligibility may be less of a problem than availability. In areas served by a single provider, the key is to confirm that the provider participates in the relevant assistance programs before signing a contract. Families with school-age children should also ask whether local school districts or community anchor institutions run their own connectivity initiatives, since some offer temporary support during the school year.
The picture for internet assistance in the United States is clearly in transition. Federal funding is no longer what it was, but between Lifeline, state-level pilots in a growing number of states, and long-standing provider programs, most eligible households can still find meaningful savings. The approach that works best depends on where you live and which assistance programs you already participate in. Begin by checking your Lifeline eligibility, then explore your state's options, and finally compare provider plans with the discounts applied. Every household's situation differs, but the first step is always the same: find out what you qualify for before you pay another full-price bill.
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