Although broadband costs in the US have decreased when adjusted for inflation, many Americans still find high-speed internet service too expensive.
The Department of Commerce found that of the 24 million households without internet at home, around 4.3 million cite cost as the barrier. In response, Congress initiated the $14 billion Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 to enhance and modernize traditional subsidy efforts like the Universal Service Fund (USF) Lifeline program.
When considering ACP vs. Lifeline, both programs aim to provide affordable broadband services to low-income households. However, some distinct differences make them unique in their approaches to achieving this goal.
What Is Lifeline?
The USF Lifeline program was established in 1985 to promote universal access to telecommunications services for low-income households. Initially, the program only provided discounted landline telephone services but has since expanded to include broadband services.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) currently administers the program, which is funded through telephone bill surcharges.
What Is the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)?
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a recent initiative designed to address the prohibitive cost of broadband services for low-income families. Launched as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, the ACP aims to bridge the digital divide by offering a monthly discount of up to $30 on broadband services for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on Tribal lands.
Unlike the Lifeline program, which has a broader focus on telecommunications services, the ACP specifically targets broadband connectivity to ensure that low-income families have access to high-speed internet.
What Is the Difference between Lifeline and ACP Eligibility Criteria?
Here’s a breakdown of the eligibility criteria for ACP vs. Lifeline:
Lifeline
A household’s income must not exceed 135% of the federal poverty guidelines to qualify for Lifeline assistance. You may also be eligible for Lifeline if you or someone in your home participates in certain federal assistance programs, including:
- Medicaid
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefits
Qualified households can receive a monthly discount of up to $9.25 on their phone or broadband bill, though your plan choice will likely be restricted.
To be eligible for the Tribal Lifeline program, which offers an additional discount of up to $25 per month (for a total of up to $34.25), applicants must reside on federally recognized Tribal lands and have an income that is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
You’re also eligible if you participate in any of the four Tribal assistance programs:
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
- Head Start (for households that meet the income qualification standards)
- Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF)
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
The Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) manages the program under the guidance of the FCC. Broadband providers apply for funds to reduce rates for low-income consumers, fostering competition among providers.
To join the program, providers must qualify as Eligible Telecommunications Carriers (ETC), which entails meeting certain criteria and additional obligations.
How to Apply for Lifeline
To apply for Lifeline, you can complete an online application on the USAC website or contact your phone or broadband provider directly. You must provide documentation proving your income or participation in a qualifying assistance program.
If you apply for Tribal Lifeline, you may need to provide proof of residence on federally recognized Tribal lands and documentation of participating in one of the four qualifying Tribal assistance programs.
ACP
Although the ACP is no longer active a household qualified with an income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or participate in one of several federal assistance programs, including the:
- Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
- Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch Program
- Federal Housing Choice Voucher Program
Households that are eligible for the Lifeline program were automatically eligible for the ACP. This made accessing the additional discount easier for those already receiving Lifeline benefits. Although the ACP has ended, it is possible the program will be refunded.
How to Apply for the ACP
Customers can no longer apply for ACP. Formerly customers would apply for the ACP directly through the National Verifier or an eligible broadband provider. The National Verifier website provided a step-by-step guide on applying and a list of participating companies in each state.
Can I Have ACP and Lifeline at the Same Time?
When the ACP was funded and active, you could have Lifeline and ACP benefits at the same time. If you are a beneficiary of the Lifeline program, you were instantly eligible for the ACP.
While it was possible to benefit from both programs concurrently, enrolling in the ACP required reaching out to a participating provider.
The ACP and Lifeline benefits were able to be applied to the same or different services, offering you the flexibility to optimize the support to address your household’s connectivity requirements efficiently.
Discounts from both programs could be applied to a single service plan or distributed across different services or providers. This arrangement allowed eligible consumers to maximize their benefits effectively, tailoring the assistance to their specific communication and connectivity needs.
When enrolled in both programs, customers had to adhere to the rules of each, such as income eligibility and household limitations. It’s important to remember that each household can only receive one monthly service discount per program. These benefits cannot overlap with other households or exceed the allowed limits.
The flexibility to use both Lifeline and ACP benefits together enabled participants to significantly reduce their monthly expenses while accessing essential communication services.
Is Lifeline or ACP Better?
Choosing between Lifeline vs. Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is no longer available. However Lifeline benefits help customers get connected to phone service at little to no cost!
Lifeline’s simplicity and long-standing presence make it a familiar option for many. Lifeline tends to focus on reducing the cost of phone services by offering a straightforward discount on mobile or home phone services. This can be particularly useful for households needing reliable communication for making calls, sending texts, or accessing basic internet services.
Previously, ACP provided a more expansive benefit, primarily targeting internet access. This program can help your family with various online activities, from remote learning and working from home to streaming and social connectivity. ACP might offer considerable savings and usefulness if your household relies heavily on the internet.
Ultimately, when weighing ACP vs. Lifeline, the choice hinges on whether phone service or internet connectivity is your priority. Many families found that combining both programs maximizes their support, offering comprehensive coverage for their communication needs.
Final Thoughts
Lifeline and the ACP support eligible households by addressing distinct but equally essential communication needs.
By understanding the specific advantages of each program, your family can make informed decisions that align with your unique circumstances.
Whether your priority is reliable phone service for daily communication or robust internet access for digital tasks and entertainment, a suitable option is available. However, it doesn’t need to come down to choosing which is better: Lifeline or ACP. Combining these programs allowed for a more comprehensive and cost-effective solution, ensuring broader access to vital services.
By providing discounted rates on phone and internet services, Lifeline and ACP support more equitable access to modern means of communication. As technology advances and becomes increasingly integral to daily life, these programs are crucial in keeping underserved communities connected.
These two programs demonstrate how government initiatives can bridge the digital divide and promote access to essential communication services for low-income households.
ACP vs. Lifeline FAQs
Is Lifeline and ACP the same thing?
While both programs reduce phone service costs, they are not the same. Each is designed for different needs:
- The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) targets low-income households eligible for various assistance programs and can be used to reduce the cost of broadband internet service.
- Lifeline provides benefits to those who meet specific income-based criteria or participate in various government assistance programs. Lifeline’s discounts apply to a range of telecommunication services.
Can you stack Lifeline and ACP?
Yes, when ACP was active, you could stack the benefits of both programs. This means you didn’t have to choose between the discounts offered by Lifeline vs the Affordable Connectivity Program. You could combine the discounts and apply them to the same or different service plan, depending on your needs. Providers like enTouch Wireless offered plans that integrate both Lifeline and ACP benefits, providing more free monthly talk, text, and data while giving you access to substantial savings on phone and internet services.
Is Lifeline ending?
No, the Lifeline service is not ending. However, one of the major differences between the Lifeline vs. ACP programs is that the ACP was set to end in April 2024. While there have been efforts in Congress to extend the federal program, Lifeline will continue independently.
What types of internet providers offer ACP and Lifeline benefits?
Internet providers, including wireline and wireless companies, offer Lifeline and ACP benefits, ensuring broad coverage and accessibility across different regions. However, enTouch is an excellent choice for customers who don’t want to choose between the Lifeline application vs. ACP. We formerly offered Lifeline and ACP benefits, including discounts on monthly telephone service, broadband internet, or bundled voice-broadband packages from participating internet service providers. Now that ACP has ended, we exclusively offer Lifeline benefits.
Can you help me choose between ACP and Lifeline?
Organizations like the FCC and non-profits offered guidance when deciding between ACP vs. Lifeline for phone and internet connection. However, if you want help during the process, need clarification on eligibility, or want to compare service providers, enTouch is here to help with your telecommunications needs. By choosing us, you get support throughout the application process for both programs, making it easier to access vital communication services without the stress of managing multiple applications and requirements independently.
What documentation do I need if I receive SNAP benefits?
When applying for the ACP and receiving SNAP food distribution program benefits, you must provide documentation of your SNAP enrollment and verify your identity with a government-issued ID and proof of address. Additional documents may be required, so checking with ACP administrators for the latest information is best.
What is the Lifeline or ACP renewal process?
Both Lifeline and the ACP require you to prove that you still meet the eligibility requirements annually. You’ll receive advance notifications from your service provider or appropriate administering bodies — USAC for Lifeline and the National Verifier for ACP when it was active. You must then reconfirm your eligibility by submitting updated proof, such as income verification or proof of enrollment in qualifying programs like Medicaid or SNAP.
What is the Lifeline or ACP discount?
With Lifeline, you can receive a discount of up to $9.25 on a phone or wireless bill, while an ACP discount was as much as $30 off a broadband bill. People living on qualifying tribal lands may qualify for larger discounts.