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ACP Ended: What Happened to the Affordable Connectivity Program (2026 Status)
The ACP ended on June 1, 2024. If you are looking for the Affordable Connectivity Program today, here is the honest answer: it is over. The program is not accepting new enrollees, it is not paying discounts, and it is not coming back unless Congress passes new legislation. This guide explains what the ACP was, why it ended, and what former participants can do now to keep their internet bills affordable.
What the ACP Was
The Affordable Connectivity Program was the largest federal broadband affordability initiative in U.S. history. Created through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and launched in December 2021, it helped eligible low-income households pay for internet service.
Eligible households received a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service, or up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. The program also offered a one-time discount of up to $100 toward the purchase of a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from a participating internet company, provided the household contributed more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price.
By February 2024, more than 23 million households were enrolled — roughly one in six American homes. The ACP had replaced the earlier Emergency Broadband Benefit from the pandemic era and expanded it into a longer-term benefit funded by $14.2 billion appropriated by Congress.
Why the ACP Ended
The ACP ended for one simple reason: the money ran out. The $14.2 billion Congress provided was spent by early 2024. Congress did not approve additional funding, so the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) was required to wind the program down.
The wind-down timeline
- February 8, 2024: The FCC stopped accepting new ACP enrollments.
- April 2024: The last fully funded service month, with the full $30 discount applied.
- May 2024: Providers could pass along a reduced benefit using remaining funds.
- June 1, 2024: The program formally ended. Households no longer received an ACP discount.
Was there bipartisan support?
Yes. The ACP enjoyed broad bipartisan backing — surveys during the wind-down period showed support from a majority of Republicans, Independents, and Democrats alike. Multiple bills were introduced to extend the program, but none passed before the funding was exhausted. As of 2026, no replacement program at the same benefit level has been enacted.
ACP Status in 2026: What Is True Today
Two years after the wind-down, the facts are settled:
- The ACP is not enrolling new households.
- Former participants are not receiving any ACP discount on their bills.
- Any website still advertising "ACP tablets" or "ACP free internet" in 2026 is misleading — the program no longer exists in any active form.
- The FCC's ACP pages confirm the program has ended for now.
If your internet bill jumped in mid-2024, the end of your $30 monthly discount is almost certainly the reason. Your internet service itself did not change — only the discount disappeared.
What Former ACP Participants Should Do Now
There is no automatic transfer from the ACP to another program. Former enrollment in the ACP does not place you into any other benefit. But several options can help replace part of what the ACP provided.
Option 1: Lifeline — the remaining federal program
Lifeline is the active federal discount program for phone and broadband service, administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) under the FCC. It offers a discount of $9.25 per month toward phone or internet service, or $34.25 per month on qualifying Tribal lands.
It is smaller than the ACP benefit, but it is real and still enrolling. If you qualified for the ACP, there is a good chance you qualify for Lifeline, because the eligibility rules overlap.
Who qualifies for Lifeline?
You may qualify if your household income is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or if anyone in your household participates in a qualifying assistance program, such as:
- SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)
- Medicaid
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance
- Veterans Pension or Survivors Benefit
- Certain Tribal programs (for the enhanced Tribal benefit)
How to apply for Lifeline
- Check your eligibility and apply at lifeline.usac.org.
- Choose a Lifeline provider that serves your area.
- Contact the provider to enroll and start receiving the discount.
One Lifeline discount is allowed per household. Apply only once through one provider.
Option 2: Provider low-income internet plans
Many major internet providers offer their own low-cost plans for qualifying households. These are separate from any federal program and have their own eligibility rules. Common examples include plans priced in the $10–$20 per month range for households that participate in assistance programs. Contact the providers available at your address and ask directly about their low-income or affordable connectivity plans.
Option 3: State and local programs
Some states add their own supplements to the federal Lifeline discount, and cities or counties sometimes run local affordability programs. Because these vary by address, check your state utility commission's website or call 211 for local referrals.
Can You Still Get a Free Tablet?
The ACP's one-time device discount is gone, so no tablet offer in 2026 is connected to the ACP. However, the device question is not fully closed:
- Some wireless providers offer free or discounted tablets through Lifeline or their own promotions, depending on provider, state, and availability.
- Nonprofit organizations and local programs sometimes provide refurbished devices.
- Be wary of any offer claiming a "free iPad from the government" — no federal program offers specific brand-name devices.
Always verify a tablet offer directly with the provider before signing up, and never pay an upfront fee for a device tied to a government program without confirming the terms in writing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the ACP still active in 2026?
No. The Affordable Connectivity Program ended June 1, 2024, after its $14.2 billion in federal funding ran out. It is not enrolling new households, and no ACP discounts are being paid out.
Why did the ACP end?
The ACP ended because Congress did not approve additional funding. The $14.2 billion appropriated in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law was fully spent by early 2024, and without new legislation the FCC was required to wind the program down.
What replaced the ACP?
No single federal program replaced the ACP's $30 per month discount. Lifeline remains the active federal discount program, offering $9.25 per month toward phone or broadband service ($34.25 per month on qualifying Tribal lands), and many internet providers offer their own low-income plans.
I was enrolled in the ACP. What should I do now?
Check whether you qualify for Lifeline and apply through a Lifeline provider at lifeline.usac.org. Contact your internet company about low-income plans, and look into state or local affordability programs that may be available at your address.
Can I still get a free tablet through the ACP?
No. The ACP's one-time device discount of up to $100 ended along with the program in June 2024. Some providers may offer free or discounted tablets depending on provider, state, and availability through other programs such as Lifeline, so check current offers with providers directly.
Disclaimer
Program details change over time. The information in this article reflects the ACP's status and Lifeline's current rules as of October 2026. Before applying for any benefit, verify current eligibility rules and discount amounts at lifeline.usac.org or with the provider directly.
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