ACP: What It Is & How It Works

Helping families get connected to broadband during the pandemic.

Video: Chairwoman Rosenworcel | en español | American Sign Language

Update: Over 10 Million Households Enrolled in ACP (2/14/22)

More Information


If you need to talk to someone about your eligibility or application status, call the ACP Support Center at (877) 384-2575.

The Affordable Connectivity Program is an FCC benefit program that helps ensure that households can afford the broadband they need for work, school, healthcare and more.

The benefit provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price.

The Affordable Connectivity Program is limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount per household.

Who Is Eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program?

A household is eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program if the household income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or if a member of the household meets at least one of the criteria below:

  • Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year;
  • Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider's existing low-income internet program;
  • Participates in one of these assistance programs:
    • The National School Lunch Program or the School Breakfast Program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision;
    • SNAP
    • Medicaid
    • Federal Public Housing Assistance
    • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
    • WIC
    • Veterans Pension or Survivor Benefits
    • or Lifeline;
  • Participates in one of these assistance programs and lives on Qualifying Tribal lands:
    • Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance 
    • Tribal TANF
    • Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
    • Tribal Head Start (income based)

Two Steps to Enroll

  1. Go to AffordableConnectivity.gov to submit an application or print out a mail-in application.
  2. Contact your preferred participating provider to select a plan and have the discount applied to your bill.

Some providers may have an alternative application that they will ask you to complete.

Eligible households must both apply for the program and contact a participating provider to select a service plan.

How Does the ACP Protect Consumers?

FCC rules protect Affordable Connectivity Program recipients by:

  • Empowering consumers to choose the service plan that best meets their needs (including a plan they may already be on);
  • Ensuring consumers have access to supported broadband services regardless of their credit status;
  • Prohibiting providers from excluding consumers with past due balances or prior debt from enrolling in the program;
  • Preventing consumers from being forced into more expensive or lower quality plans in order to receive the ACP;
  • Ensuring that consumers are not liable for early termination fees;
  • Reducing the potential for bill shock or other financial harms;
  • Allowing ACP recipients to switch providers or broadband service offerings; and
  • Providing a dedicated FCC process for ACP complaints.

Get More Consumer Information

Check out the Affordable Connectivity Program Consumer FAQ for more information about the benefit.

Which Internet Service Providers Are Participating in the Affordable Connectivity Program?

Various internet providers, including those offering landline and wireless internet service, are participating in the Affordable Connectivity Program. Find internet service providers offering the benefit in your state or territory. 

Service providers can find more information about how to participate here.


Consumer Outreach Toolkit

The toolkit includes downloadable Affordable Connectivity Program social media images, fact sheets, and other outreach content and materials that can be customized for consumer awareness campaigns.


Request a Speaker

FCC consumer experts are available to explain the Affordable Connectivity Program at your event.


Become an Outreach Partner

The FCC is mobilizing people and organizations to help share important consumer information about the new Affordable Connectivity Program. To participate, please fill out and submit the form below:

Optional Form Fields

 

  • Privacy Act Statement
  • For more information, please contact the FCC at [email protected]

Need Help With the ACP?

If you need to talk to someone about your eligibility or application status, call the ACP Support Center at (877) 384-2575.

To file an informal consumer complaint against your provider involving the ACP, click here.


American Sign Language Video

Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel talks about how the ACP can help families get connected to internet service (video is ASL interpreted).

More ASL video: Watch to learn about the ACP, who is eligible and how to apply.


News Media Contacts & Resources

Paloma Isabel Perez
FCC Press Secretary
[email protected]

Anne Veigle
Deputy Director, Office of Media Relations
[email protected]

Office of Media Relations
[email protected]
202-418-0500

ACP Fact Sheet: Word | PDF

WCB seeks comment on petitions filed by USTELECOM - The Broadband Association and Verizon (3/3/22)

FCC Hosts Virtual Event Tour to Promote ACP Enrollment (3/3/22)

Over 10 Million Households Enrolled in Affordable Connectivity Program (2/14/22)

FCC Releases Rules To Implement Affordable Connectivity Program | Download Report and Order PDF (1/21/22)

FCC Adopts Rules To Implement Affordable Connectivity Program (1/14/22)

Chairwoman Rosenworcel Debuts Draft Rules for Affordable Connectivity Program (1/7/22)

FCC Announces Affordable Connectivity Program (12/31/21)

FCC Provides Additional Guidance on Affordable Connectivity Program (12/30/21)

WCB Issues Further Guidance for Affordable Connectivity Program (12/8/21)

WCB Issues Guidance for Transition to Affordable Connectivity Program (11/26/21)

FCC Seeks Comment on the New Affordable Connectivity Program (11/18/21)

 

 

 

Updated: 
Monday, May 9, 2022