What Was the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)?
The ACP was a temporary FCC program created by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. It replaced the pandemic-era Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) on December 31, 2021, and had a broader reach than Lifeline: households qualified with income up to 200% of the poverty guidelines, and through programs such as WIC, Pell Grants and free school lunch.
| ACP feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Monthly internet discount | Up to $30 ($75 on Tribal lands) |
| Device discount | One-time, up to $100 toward a tablet, laptop or desktop |
| Household co-pay for device | More than $10 and less than $50 |
| Income limit | 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines |
| Extra qualifying programs | WIC, Federal Pell Grant, free/reduced school lunch, and Lifeline programs |
| Funding | $14.2 billion from Congress (one-time) |
How the ACP Free Tablet Discount Worked
The ACP tablet wasn't strictly free. Households paid a small co-pay, and the program covered up to $100. Only one device discount was allowed per household, and only from the same company that provided their ACP internet service. Devices were the household's to keep, even after the program ended.
ACP Timeline: From Launch to Shutdown
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Dec 31, 2021 | ACP replaces the Emergency Broadband Benefit |
| 2022–2023 | Enrollment grows past 20 million households |
| Jan 2024 | FCC announces wind-down as funding runs low |
| Feb 7, 2024 | New enrollments freeze |
| April 2024 | Last month of full benefits |
| May 2024 | Partial benefits |
| June 1, 2024 | ACP officially ends |
ACP Enrollment Growth
Enrollment froze on February 7, 2024, and the program ended June 1, 2024, when funding ran out.
Source: FCC / USAC ACP enrollment tracker (approximate, rounded)
Show data table
| Period | Value |
|---|---|
| Mar 2022 | 11M |
| Sep 2022 | 14M |
| Mar 2023 | 17M |
| Sep 2023 | 20.5M |
| Feb 2024 | 23M |
Why Did the ACP Free Tablet Program End?
ACP ran on a one-time budget from Congress. When the $14.2 billion was used up and no new funding was approved, the FCC had to wind the program down. Lifeline, by contrast, is funded through the ongoing Universal Service Fund.
ACP Free Tablet vs. Lifeline Free Tablet
Source: FCC Lifeline and FCC ACP program rules
Show data table
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| ACP – Tribal lands (ended) | $75 |
| Lifeline – Tribal lands | $34.25 |
| ACP – standard (ended) | $30 |
| Lifeline – standard | $9.25 |
| ACP (ended) | Lifeline (active) | |
|---|---|---|
| Income limit | 200% of poverty | 135% of poverty |
| WIC / Pell / school lunch | Qualified | Do not qualify (federal) |
| Device | $100 discount | Company may include one |
| Status | Ended June 2024 | Active in 2026 |
What Should Former ACP Users Do Now?
- Check Lifeline eligibility: if you get SNAP, Medicaid, SSI or housing aid, you still qualify. See eligibility.
- Apply for a Lifeline free tablet: follow the application guide.
- Ask about low-income plans: many internet companies offer their own affordable plans.
- Check your state: for example, New York requires a low-cost plan. See New York.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the ACP free tablet program still available?
No. The Affordable Connectivity Program stopped taking new enrollments on February 7, 2024, and ended on June 1, 2024, after its funding ran out.
What did ACP offer for tablets?
ACP offered a one-time discount of up to $100 toward a laptop, desktop or tablet from a participating company. The household paid more than $10 but less than $50 toward the device.
Can I keep the tablet I got through ACP?
Yes. Devices received through ACP's device discount were yours to keep after the program ended.
What replaced ACP?
No direct replacement has been funded. Lifeline is still active, and many former ACP households qualify for it. Some internet companies also offer their own low-income plans.
Will ACP come back?
Bills to restart ACP have been introduced in Congress, but as of this update none has been funded. We'll update this page if that changes.
I was on ACP. How do I switch to Lifeline?
Check whether you meet Lifeline's stricter eligibility rules (135% of poverty instead of 200%, and a shorter program list), then apply through the National Verifier.
Sources and Last Update
This page was last reviewed and updated on . Program rules and figures come from these official and research sources: