Affordable Internet in Texas: What's Actually Available Since ACP Ended
If you remember a program that discounted your internet bill by $30/month, you're thinking of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) — and the honest first thing to know is that it ended on June 1, 2024. Congress has not funded a direct federal replacement, and as of mid-2026, Texas has not launched a state-level program either (a small number of other states — New Mexico, California — have started their own pilots, but Texas isn't currently one of them). This guide covers what real help still exists, without pretending ACP is coming back.
Lifeline — the one federal program still standing
Lifeline is a longstanding FCC program, separate from and older than ACP, that's still active. It provides up to $9.25 per month off phone or internet service for qualifying households ($34.25/month on Tribal lands) — smaller than ACP's discount, but real and ongoing.
Who qualifies: households at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines, or anyone in a household already enrolled in Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, Federal Public Housing Assistance, or a few other qualifying programs.
How to apply: through the National Verifier at checklifeline.org, or ask your provider directly — many major providers and Lifeline-specific carriers handle enrollment for you once eligibility is confirmed. Only one Lifeline discount per household, and you choose whether to apply it to a phone or internet line.
Provider-run low-income plans (often the best-kept secret)
Several major ISPs continued their own low-income internet plans independent of ACP funding — these didn't go away when ACP did, and some can be combined with Lifeline for an even lower price:
- Cox Connect2Compete and similar low-cost tiers, typically for households with school-age children or on qualifying public assistance.
- Spectrum Internet Assist — a reduced-price tier for qualifying households.
- AT&T Access — discounted internet in AT&T's service area for qualifying households.
- T-Mobile Project 10Million and similar carrier programs, often aimed at students.
Availability and current pricing vary by provider and change over time — check your address on this site to see which providers actually serve you, then check that provider's own site for a low-income or "internet essentials"-style plan by name.
Where else to look
- 2-1-1 Texas (dial 2-1-1) — the state's assistance referral line can point to local nonprofit and community programs that help with internet costs, not just utilities.
- School and library programs — some school districts and public libraries loan hotspots or subsidize home internet for enrolled students; ask your child's school directly.
- Your own provider's retention/hardship line — if you're a current customer struggling to pay, ask specifically about hardship programs or payment plans before your account goes to collections. Providers would generally rather reduce your bill than lose you as a customer.
What we'd tell a friend
Start with Lifeline — it's the most durable option and takes about the same effort as any other government benefit application. Then check whether your available providers (via the address checker on this site) run their own low-income plan; stacking that with Lifeline is often the cheapest real path to reliable home internet in Texas today. If legislation eventually funds an ACP-style program again, we'll update this guide — but we won't tell you to wait for something that, as of now, hasn't happened.