Updated May 17, 2022
How can I get free or discounted Internet service?
The federal government offers two Internet discount programs.
You may be able to get free or discounted Internet from one of these two programs:
What is the Lifeline program?
The Lifeline program can cut up to $9.25 off a monthly Internet bill. Lifeline benefits can cut up to $34.25 per month for those on Tribal lands.
You cannot get Internet service from Lifeline if you have a cell phone or phone plan through Lifeline.
Learn more about Lifeline here: https://slls.org/free-cell-phone-assistance-2022/.
What is the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)?
The ACP is a new federal Internet discount program.
The ACP replaced the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB).
If you used to get the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB), your Internet company should have talked to you by March 1, 2022, about how to keep your discount. If you lost your discount through the EBB, you can still apply for the ACP now.
If you never had the Emergency Broadband Benefit before, you can also still apply for the ACP.
You can’t apply now for aid under the Emergency Broadband Benefit program.
Who is eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)?
One of these things must be true for you or someone in in your household.
How much is the ACP discount?
ACP aid is:
There is only one monthly service discount per household.
There is only one device discount per household.
How do I apply for the ACP?
Apply through Lifeline if you have Internet service from Lifeline. If you want to switch Internet companies, you must be sure that the new company is part of the ACP.
(You cannot get Internet service from Lifeline if you already get a Lifeline cell phone discount.)
If your Internet is not through Lifeline, apply through your Internet company.
The link below has a list of companies with the ACP: https://data.usac.org/publicreports/CompaniesNearMe/Download/Report.
If you do not already get Internet aid, you must apply for the ACP online or by mail:
If you are approved for the ACP, you can only use the discount with an Internet company that is part of the ACP.
You must make sure your Internet company applies the ACP discount to your bill.
Which companies can I use the discount at?
Internet companies with the ACP are listed here: https://data.usac.org/publicreports/CompaniesNearMe/Download/Report
As of May 9, 2022, 20 different Internet companies began offering Internet plans that cost $30 per month or less. If you use your ACP discount on one of these plans, you will have no cost for your Internet access. Internet companies offering these $30 per month or less Internet plans are listed here: https://www.whitehouse.gov/getinternet/?utm_source=getinternet.gov.
For more information on the ACP, visit www.fcc.gov/ACP or call 877-384-2575.
You may be able to get a free or low cost cell phone if you or someone in your household is part of one or more of the public aid programs listed below.
The program covers one phone or service discount per household.
This is through the “Lifeline” program.
COVID may mean that you need to apply online, by phone, or by mail instead of in person.
You must be able to send in proof that you get one or more kinds of the aid below.
Or you can instead show proof that you qualify based on income. (More about that below.)
The government has not posted the 2022 income levels for Lifeline to the public yet. However, these amounts should be current for 2022.
| Number of People in Your Household | Annual Household Income | Monthly Average Income |
| 1 | $18,346.50 | $1,528.88 |
| 2 | $24,718.50 | $2,059.88 |
| 3 | $31,090.50 | $2,590.88 |
| 4 | $37,462.50 | $3,121.88 |
| 5 | $43,834.50 | $3,652.88 |
| 6 | $50,206.50 | $4,183.88 |
| 7 | $56,578.50 | $4,714.88 |
| 8 | $62,950.50 | $5,245.88 |
| For each additional person, add: | $6,372 | $531 |
You can apply for a free phone directly to a cell phone service provider.
Here is the information you will need to give:
Different companies offer different plans. The amount of minutes may be different. The amount of data may be different.
Find out if the company offers a free phone with its service.
Different companies have different offerings. Find out ahead of time what the company offers.
You can use your ZIP Code on the phone company’s site to see what the company covers where you live.
Here are some examples. Check with each provider first to see if this information is still up to date.
| Program | Program Features | How to Apply |
| NewPhone Wireless | • Free Smartphone • Unlimited Phone Calls and Text • 4.5 GB of Data |
Apply online here. |
| Assurance Wireless | • Free Smartphone • Unlimited Text • 1,000 Minutes for Phone Calls • 3 GB of Data |
Apply online here. OR Apply over the phone by calling 1-888-898-4888. |
| EnTouch Wireless | • Some applicants may be Eligible for a Free Phone • Unlimited Text • 1,000 Minutes for Phone Calls • 100 MB of Data |
Apply online here. OR Apply by completing and mailing a paper application to: enTouch Wireless PO Box 37 Hiawatha, IA 52233 The paper application can be found here. |
| Q Link Wireless | • Unlimited Phone Calls and Text • 3 GB of Data |
Apply online here. |
| SafeLink | • Unlimited Text • 350 Minutes for Phone Calls • 4.5 GB of Data |
Apply online here. OR Apply over the phone by calling 1-800-723-3546. |
| TAG Mobile | • Unlimited Text • 1,000 Minutes for Phone Calls • 250 MB of Data |
Apply online here. |
| TruConnect | • Unlimited Text • 1,000 Minutes for Phone Calls • 250 MB of Data |
Apply online here. |
| Access Wireless | • Unlimited Text • 1,000 Minutes for Phone Calls • 4.5 GB of Data |
*Enrolling for this program can take weeks, since you have to submit two different applications.
In order to apply for this provider, you must first complete and mail in a paper application to: |
| Standup Wireless | • Unlimited Text • 1,000 Minutes for Phone Calls • 4.5 GB of Data (but changing for everyone on February 28, 2021 to only 100 MB of Data. Those already on can keep the higher amount for $10/month) |
Apply online here |