The Federal Lifeline Program Still Works
Lifeline remains the backbone of government internet assistance in the United States. It is a federal benefit administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) under Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules, and it accepts applications on an ongoing basis. There is no annual closing date, so the right time to apply is whenever you qualify.
The standard benefit is up to $9.25 per month for internet service or a bundled phone-and-internet plan, and up to $5.25 per month for phone-only service. Households living on qualifying Tribal lands can receive an enhanced benefit of up to $34.25 per month, plus an additional $25 discount in some cases. There is also a Link Up benefit that can cover up to $100 of an initial setup fee on Tribal lands, subject to provider participation.
You qualify through one of two routes:
- Income route: Your gross household income is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. For 2026, that means a single-person household in the 48 contiguous states qualifies at $21,546 or less, a two-person household at $29,214 or less, and a four-person household at $44,550 or less.
- Program route: Someone in your household participates in SNAP, Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA), or receives a Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit.
Only one Lifeline discount is allowed per household, and it applies to either wireline or wireless service, not both at the same time. If you change address, stop qualifying, or another person in your household starts receiving the benefit, you must notify your company within 30 days.
Applying is straightforward. Go to lifelinesupport.org, apply online through the National Verifier, or work directly with a participating phone or internet company. If the system cannot automatically verify your eligibility, you will need to upload documents such as a recent W-2, an SSA-1099 statement, or an award letter from a qualifying program. Oregon and Texas do not use the National Verifier, so residents of those states must follow their state Public Utility Commission processes.
State Programs Are Filling the Gap Left by ACP
Congress has introduced several bills to revive the Affordable Connectivity Program, but none had passed as of mid-2026. In the absence of a federal replacement, a handful of states have created their own programs.
New Mexico became the first state to build a direct, state-funded replacement for the ACP. The Low-Income Telecommunications Assistance Program (LITAP) launched under Senate Bill 152 and began accepting applications in December. It offers up to $30 per month in broadband discounts, and up to $70 per month for homes on Tribal lands. State officials estimate about 27,000 households will benefit in the first year. You apply through state-approved internet providers, which verify your income through a federal database and apply the savings directly to your bill.
California launched its LifeLine Home Broadband Pilot in January 2026, worth up to $30 per month off home internet service. The California Public Utilities Commission also approved nearly $32 million in grants in August 2026 to expand broadband infrastructure in rural areas, bring free broadband to affordable housing developments, and fund digital literacy programs. Residents of affordable housing complexes in Contra Costa, Madera, Merced, and Santa Barbara counties, for example, are receiving free broadband service at 100 Mbps download speeds.
Oregon administers an enhanced state Lifeline benefit worth up to $24.25 per month off internet service, well above the federal minimum. Oregon is also one of the two states that opt out of the National Verifier, so you apply through the state Public Utility Commission instead.
New York and Connecticut took a different path. Rather than offering subsidy checks, both states require large internet providers to offer capped low-cost plans to qualifying households. This means the discount is built into the plan price rather than applied on top of a standard rate.
Illinois, Colorado, Washington, and Minnesota are actively working on legislation but had not launched programs as of mid-2026. If you live in one of these states, it is worth checking your state broadband office's website periodically, because the situation is changing quickly.
Comparison of Current Assistance Options
| Program | Type | Monthly Benefit | Who Qualifies | Best For |
|---|
| Federal Lifeline | Federal subsidy | Up to $9.25 (up to $34.25 on Tribal lands) | Income at/below 135% FPG or SNAP/Medicaid/SSI/FPHA/Veterans Pension | Broadest coverage, available nationwide |
| New Mexico LITAP | State subsidy | Up to $30 (up to $70 on Tribal lands) | Low-income New Mexico households | Former ACP households in New Mexico |
| California LifeLine Home Broadband Pilot | State subsidy | Up to $30 | Income-eligible California households | Former ACP households in California |
| Oregon Enhanced Lifeline | State top-up | Up to $24.25 | Oregon Lifeline recipients | Oregon residents needing extra help |
| New York/Connecticut provider plans | Regulated low-cost plans | Discounted plan pricing | Households meeting state income thresholds | Residents who prefer predictable flat pricing |
Provider Low-Cost Plans Still Exist
Even if you do not qualify for a government subsidy, most major providers offer their own low-income internet plans. These are not government programs, but they often pair with Lifeline and state benefits.
AT&T Access provides low-cost home internet for households at or below 200% of the federal poverty guideline, or with someone participating in a qualifying government assistance program. Pricing depends on what is available at your address, so you check availability first and apply through a secure third-party partner.
Comcast Internet Essentials has long offered an affordable home internet plan for low-income households, including families with children who qualify for the National School Lunch Program. The plan includes a Wi-Fi gateway and access to low-cost computers, which matters if you need equipment as well as connectivity.
Several regional providers run similar programs. The best way to find them is to search for your provider's name plus "low-income internet plan" or to contact your state's broadband office.
A Practical Step-by-Step Plan
Step 1: Check Lifeline eligibility first. Go to lifelinesupport.org and use the online application. If you receive SNAP or Medicaid, you will likely be verified automatically. This takes about 10 minutes and costs nothing.
Step 2: Check your state program. Visit your state broadband office or Public Utility Commission website. Look for terms like "affordability program," "ACP replacement," or "broadband discount." New Mexico, California, Oregon, New York, and Connecticut have active programs as of late 2026.
Step 3: Compare provider low-cost plans. Enter your address on your provider's website and look for low-income plan options. AT&T, Comcast, and regional providers publish eligibility criteria and pricing by address.
Step 4: Stack your benefits where allowed. Some households can combine a state subsidy with a provider low-cost plan, though Lifeline itself is limited to one discount per household. Ask the provider directly whether your state benefit can be applied to their low-income plan.
Step 5: Recertify every year. Lifeline requires annual recertification, and you must respond within 60 days if asked. Also remember the "use it or lose it" rule: if you do not pay out-of-pocket, you must use your Lifeline service at least once every 30 days.
Where to Find Local Help
Every state has a broadband or utility consumer office that can walk you through the options. The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners coordinates annual Lifeline Awareness Week every September, and many local libraries and community action agencies offer free application assistance. If you prefer in-person help, call your local library and ask whether they have a digital navigator or benefits counselor on staff. Many do, and the service is free.
Government internet assistance in 2026 is more fragmented than it was during the ACP era, but the pieces are there: a dependable federal program in Lifeline, growing state replacements, and provider plans that fill the gaps. The application processes are short, and the documentation requirements are manageable. Start with lifelinesupport.org today, then check your state broadband office. The savings on your monthly bill could be more than you expect.
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