How can low-income households get free internet?
Apply your Lifeline benefit to home broadband, sign up for an internet provider's low-income plan, and borrow a library hotspot for gaps. Combined, these can bring home internet close to $0.
- The ACP ended in June 2024
- Lifeline is one benefit per household: phone or internet
- Many ISP low-income plans cost about $10–$30/month
Free and low-cost internet options in 2026
With the ACP gone, low-income households have three main routes: Lifeline applied to home broadband, internet service providers' own low-income plans, and community programs such as library hotspots and public Wi-Fi.
How do the options compare?
| Option | Typical cost | Who qualifies |
|---|---|---|
| Lifeline on broadband | $9.25/mo off | Lifeline-eligible households |
| ISP low-income plans | Often $10–$30/mo | SNAP, NSLP, Medicaid, SSI etc. |
| Library hotspots | Free | Library card holders |
| Public Wi-Fi | Free | Anyone |
Not sure which option fits you?
Answer 5 quick questions and the Phone Finder matches you with programs, providers and deals.
Lifeline: phone or internet?
Each household gets one Lifeline benefit. You can use it on a mobile phone plan or on home internet. Families with good home Wi-Fi might put it on broadband and use a cheap prepaid phone. Others prefer a free phone with data.
For income-based eligibility, one-person households qualify at about $21,128 a year, and four-person households at about $43,403 (2025 limits).
Who qualifies?
You qualify for Lifeline in one of two ways: someone in your household takes part in a qualifying assistance program, or your household income is at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines.
Qualifying programs
- SNAP (food stamps)
- Medicaid
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (including Section 8)
- Veterans Pension or Survivors Pension
On federally recognized Tribal lands, these also qualify: Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Tribally Administered TANF, Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), Tribal Head Start (income-qualified households).
Income limits
| Household size | Maximum yearly income (135% of poverty guideline) |
|---|---|
| 1 person | $21,128 |
| 2 people | $28,553 |
| 3 people | $35,978 |
| 4 people | $43,403 |
| 5 people | $50,828 |
| 6 people | $58,253 |
| 7 people | $65,678 |
| 8 people | $73,103 |
| Each additional person | add $7,425 |
Figures are based on the 2025 Federal Poverty Guidelines for the 48 contiguous states and DC, rounded. Alaska and Hawaii have higher limits. USAC updates the limits each year, so check lifelinesupport.org for the current figures.
Want an instant answer? Use the Lifeline eligibility checker. It takes under a minute.
How do you sign up?
- Check eligibility Use our eligibility checker.
- Ask local ISPs about low-income plans Most large providers publish one.
- Apply Lifeline to the service Your ISP must be a Lifeline provider to apply the discount.
- Keep proof handy See documents.
What changed after the ACP?
From 2021 to 2024, the Affordable Connectivity Program gave eligible households up to $30 a month off internet ($75 on Tribal lands). When funding ran out in 2024, more than 20 million enrolled households lost the discount.
Many internet providers kept or launched their own low-income plans afterwards. Lifeline still gives up to $9.25 a month and can be applied to home internet from a participating provider.
Ask these questions before signing up
- Is there a data cap?
- Are there equipment or installation fees?
- Does the price rise after 12 months?
- Is the provider a Lifeline participant?
- What documents do you need to verify eligibility?
Frequently asked questions
Is there free internet for low-income families?
Some ISP low-income plans plus Lifeline can bring the cost close to $0. Library hotspots are free.
Can I get Lifeline on both phone and internet?
No. It's one Lifeline benefit per household, on either service.
Can I get free internet with SNAP?
SNAP qualifies you for Lifeline and most ISP low-income plans, which can bring costs very low.
Is there free Wi-Fi I can use?
Libraries, many community centers and some public spaces offer free Wi-Fi.
Can students get free internet?
Schools often lend hotspots, and many ISP low-income plans accept school lunch (NSLP) eligibility.
Sources & last update
Last reviewed . We check program rules against official FCC and USAC guidance and update pages when rules, income limits or offers change. Spot something out of date? Tell us.