Broadband Discount Still Available for Texas Households

The Texas Broadband Development Office surveyed over 16,000 Texans, and 54 percent of those respondents reported that their internet connections are not affordable. Yet, thousands of Texans may be unaware of an opportunity to lower their monthly internet bills.

The federal government’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is available to help households pay for internet service. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) administers the ACP to help low-income households pay for internet service and connected devices.

If your household is eligible, you could receive:

• Up to $30/month discount on your internet service.

• A one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, tablet or desktop computer.

• A low-cost service plan that may be fully covered through the ACP.

A household is eligible for the ACP if the household income is at or below 200 percent of the [[Federal Poverty Guidelines]](https://aspe.hhs.gov/topics/poverty-economic-mobility/poverty-guidelines) or if a member of the household meets at least one of these criteria:

• Receives a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year.

• Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider’s existing low-income internet program.

• Participates in at least one of these programs:

o Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

o Medicaid

o Federal Public Housing Assistance

o Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

o Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

o Veterans Pension or Survivor Benefits

o Lifeline

Texas currently has 141 internet service providers that offer a low-cost ACP subscription. The FCC offers a list of [ACP provides near you](https://www.fcc.gov/affordable-connectivity-program-providers#Texas). Texas currently has 141 internet service providers that offer a low-cost ACP subscription.

To sign up, follow two easy steps:

1. Visit the [[ACP website]](https://www.affordableconnectivity.gov/) to apply or print out a mail-in application.

2. Contact your preferred participating provider to select a plan and have the discount applied to your bill.

To learn more about how the Texas Broadband Development Office is closing the digital divide and to sign up for updates, please visit [Texas Broadband Development Office](https://comptroller.texas.gov/programs/broadband/).