The Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) was a temporary federal program created in 2021 to help low-income households afford internet during the pandemic. The EBB was replaced by the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which officially ran out of government funding and ended in mid-2024. Today, in 2026, you can no longer apply for the EBB or the ACP.
If you are reading this in 2026 and searching for the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) or the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), we have unfortunate news: both programs are completely dead.
When the ACP ran out of federal funding in 2024, nearly 23 million American households lost their $30/month internet subsidy. While the U.S. Congress has debated reviving the funding, no national subsidy exists today.
However, do not panic. If you are struggling to afford your monthly internet bill, you still have options. In this guide, the broadband experts at Compare Internet Hub will explain the history of these programs and, most importantly, how you can find alternative low-income internet plans in 2026.
A Brief History of the EBB and ACP
Understanding these programs is important to understanding the private plans available today.
The Emergency Broadband Benefit (2021)
The FCC launched the EBB during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. It provided a massive $50 per month discount on broadband service (and $75 for households on qualifying Tribal lands), plus a $100 discount on a laptop or tablet. It was always designed to be a temporary, emergency stopgap. It ended on December 31, 2021.
The Affordable Connectivity Program (2022 – 2024)
The EBB was replaced by the ACP. The ACP lowered the monthly discount to $30 per month but expanded the eligibility criteria, allowing millions of Americans who relied on SNAP, Medicaid, or Federal Pell Grants to get internet virtually for free.
Unfortunately, Congress failed to renew the ACP’s funding, and the program officially stopped accepting new enrollments in early 2024.
How to Get Cheap Internet in 2026 (Without the Government)
When the government pulled the plug on the ACP, major internet service providers (ISPs) realized that millions of their customers were going to cancel their service. To prevent a mass exodus, many providers created their own private “Low-Income” tiers.
If you qualify for government assistance (like SNAP, Medicaid, or SSI), you likely qualify for these provider-specific discount plans:
1. Comcast / Xfinity “Internet Essentials”
- Price: $9.95/month
- Speeds: 50 Mbps
- Eligibility: Must be eligible for public assistance programs like the National School Lunch Program, Medicaid, or SNAP.
- Perk: Xfinity also offers a “Plus” tier for $29.95/mo that doubles the speed to 100 Mbps.
2. Spectrum “Internet Assist”
- Price: $24.99/month
- Speeds: 50 Mbps
- Eligibility: One or more members of your household must be a recipient of the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
See More: Spectrum Internet Assist
3. Access from AT&T
- Price: $30.00/month
- Speeds: Up to 100 Mbps
- Eligibility: Must participate in SNAP, SSI, or the National School Lunch Program.
- Perk: No deposit, no contract, and no installation fees.
Stop Overpaying for Internet Today
If you lost your ACP benefit and your internet bill suddenly jumped from $30 to $80 a month, you do not have to accept that price hike.
Want to instantly compare the cheapest internet plans at your exact address? Call the broadband availability experts at Compare Internet Hub today at (844) 817-0136. We will run a free, unbiased ZIP code check to help you find affordable, private low-income tiers or cheap 5G Home Internet alternatives in your area.
Updated on: September 15, 2026
