What programs help families pay for internet

The main program that helps families with children pay for internet is the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), run by the Federal Communications Commission. It provides a monthly subsidy toward your internet bill — the amount varies by provider but typically covers most or all of a basic broadband plan. You do not need to be low-income to join; you may have access to if your household income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty line, or if your child takes part in certain information programs like free or reduced-price school meals.

Some states and cities also run their own internet programs for families, often paired with device distribution or digital literacy training. These vary widely by location — what exists in one county may not exist in the next. Your school district may also offer subsidized home internet or loaner devices, especially if your child attends a school where many families lack broadband at home.

Internet service providers themselves sometimes offer low-cost plans for families with school-age children, independent of government programs. These are not subsidies but discounted rates; they exist alongside the ACP rather than instead of it, so you can stack both.

Key Takeaways

  • The Affordable Connectivity Program pays a monthly subsidy directly to your internet provider if your household income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty line.
  • You can use the ACP with most major internet providers, and the subsidy stacks with provider discounts, so you may pay little to nothing for basic broadband.
  • Your child's school may offer subsidized internet or device loans even if you do not meet ACP income limits, so check with the school directly.
  • Some states and cities run their own programs; your local housing authority or 211 can tell you what exists where you live.
  • You will need proof of income and proof that you or a household member meets the program's criteria before you can start receiving the subsidy.

How the Affordable Connectivity Program works

The ACP is a federal program, but you do not explore to the federal government. Instead, you work with your internet provider. Most major providers — including Comcast, Charter, Verizon, AT&T, and many smaller regional companies — participate. You contact the provider, tell them you want to enroll in the ACP, and they will ask you to prove your income and household size.

The subsidy amount depends on your provider and the plan you choose, but it typically ranges from $30 to $75 per month. Some providers offer plans that cost less than the subsidy, meaning you pay nothing. Others charge a small amount on top. The provider applies the subsidy to your bill automatically once you are enrolled, so you see the discount every month.

The program does not provide the internet service itself — it only pays part of your bill to a provider you choose. If you do not have an internet provider yet, the ACP can help you afford one, but you still have to sign up with a company and agree to their terms.

Who can join the Affordable Connectivity Program

You may have access to for the ACP if your household income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty line. For a family of four in 2024, that means a gross monthly income of roughly $4,400 or less, though the exact number changes each year. You can also may have access to if anyone in your household takes part in certain programs: free or reduced-price school meals, SNAP (food information), Medicaid, SSI, WIC, housing information, or Pell Grants.

You do not have to be a U.S. citizen, but you do need a valid Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) for at least one household member. If you have a child in the household, that child can be the person whose number you use.

One household can have only one ACP subsidy, even if multiple people in the house work or have income. The subsidy goes to one internet account in one person's name.

What documents you need to show

When you contact your provider to enroll, they will ask for proof of income and proof that you meet one of the program's criteria. Acceptable income documents include recent pay stubs, a tax return, a benefit statement from SNAP or another program, or a letter from your employer stating your salary. If your income is below the poverty line, you may only need to state that and sign a form saying it is true.

If you are may have access to through a program like free school meals or SNAP, you will need to show proof of that enrollment — usually a letter from the school or the benefits office. Some providers let you upload documents online; others ask you to bring them in person or mail them. Ask your provider which method they use and what specific documents they accept, because requirements vary slightly.

Keep copies of everything you send. If there is a problem later — if the subsidy stops or the provider says they never received your documents — you will have proof that you submitted them.

School and district internet programs

Many school districts offer free or low-cost internet to families with children in the school, regardless of income. Some provide it through partnerships with local providers; others run their own networks. A few districts distribute mobile hotspots that students can take home. These programs often exist specifically to close the homework gap — the gap between students who have internet at home and those who do not.

To find out what your school offers, contact the school office, the technology department, or the counselor. Some schools advertise these programs at the start of the year; others only tell families who ask. If your child's school does not have a program, ask whether the district does — sometimes the district runs programs that individual schools do not advertise widely.

School programs often run on a different timeline than the ACP. You might may have access to for both at the same time, which means your child could have internet at home through the school and you could have it through the ACP. There is no rule against stacking them.

State and local programs for internet access

Some states have their own broadband programs for families with children. These are less common than the ACP but can offer additional help, especially if you do not meet the ACP income limit or if you need a device as well as internet. A few states pair internet subsidies with free or discounted laptops and tablets.

Your local housing authority, 211 (the referral line), or your city or county government website can tell you whether programs exist in your area. If you call 211, tell them you are looking for internet help for a family with children, and they can search their database for what is available where you live. Some programs are temporary or seasonal, so what exists this year may change next year.

A few states also run digital literacy programs — classes that teach families how to use internet and devices safely and effectively. These are often free and may be offered through libraries, community centers, or schools. They are separate from the subsidy programs but often run alongside them.

Provider discounts outside of government programs

Several major internet providers offer their own low-cost plans for families with school-age children, even if you do not may have access to for the ACP. Comcast's Internet Essentials, Charter's Spectrum Internet information, and AT&T's Access programs are examples. These are company programs, not government programs, but they work similarly — you show proof of income or school enrollment, and the provider gives you a discounted rate.

These provider programs often have different income limits than the ACP. Some are more generous; some are stricter. If you do not may have access to for the ACP, it is worth checking whether your provider has its own program. You can use a provider discount and the ACP together if you meet both programs' criteria, so you could end up paying very little.

Ask your provider directly whether they have a low-cost plan for families. The names and terms change, and not all providers advertise them widely. If you are already a customer, call the number on your bill. If you are not yet a customer, call their main customer service line and ask about programs for families with children.

What happens if the ACP subsidy ends

The ACP is a federal program with a set amount of funding. If that funding runs out, the program pauses until Congress approves more money. This has happened before — the program ran out of funds in 2024 and had to pause new enrollments for a time. If you are already enrolled, your subsidy continues until the program officially ends or you stop paying your bill.

If the program does end, you will still have internet service, but you will pay the full price of your plan. Your provider will notify you before the subsidy stops. At that point, you can look for a cheaper plan, switch providers, or check whether your state or school has another program you can use instead.

To stay informed about the ACP's status, you can check the FCC's website or ask your provider. Some providers send notices to customers when the program's funding status changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the ACP with any internet provider?

No, only providers that participate in the ACP accept the subsidy. Most major providers do, but some smaller or regional companies do not. When you are ready to enroll, ask your provider whether they participate. If they do not, you can switch to a provider that does, or look for a state or local program instead.

What if my income is above the ACP limit but my child gets free school meals?

You still may have access to for the ACP. Participation in free or reduced-price school meals is one of the ways to meet the program's criteria, regardless of your stated income. Bring proof of your child's school meal status when you enroll.

Can I get a device through the ACP?

The ACP itself only pays for internet service, not devices. However, some providers offer discounted or free devices to ACP members, and some state and local programs pair internet subsidies with device distribution. Ask your provider and check with your local housing authority or 211 about what is available in your area.

Do I have to stay with the same provider if I enroll in the ACP?

No. You can switch providers and keep the ACP subsidy as long as your new provider participates in the program. Tell your new provider you want to enroll in the ACP, and they will handle the transfer. You may have a gap of a few days while the switch happens.

What if I cannot prove my income?

Some providers allow you to sign a form stating that your income is below the limit, without requiring documents. Others require at least one document. Call your provider and ask what they accept. If you have no income documents at all, ask whether a letter from a social service agency, a school, or a community organization stating your situation would work instead.