Where To Get Help With Your Internet Bill

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Wi-Fi fuels the modern household, whether for work, school, entertainment or smart home devices — and it’s not cheap. According to Move.org, the average internet bill is $59.99 per month. In late 2022, a Consumer Report study of over 22,000 broadband bills showed that half of all households pay $60 to $90.

If the cost of staying connected is straining your budget, you may qualify for government help with the internet bill through the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). Read on to find out how the program works, who is eligible and how to apply. If you don’t qualify, you can also use some of the tips below to keep internet costs in check.

How the Affordable Connectivity Program Can Provide Help With Internet Bills

The ACP, enacted under the Biden administration, was designed to help low-income families afford the broadband services they need for school, work, healthcare and daily life. The program provides a discount on monthly internet bills and aid for purchasing an internet-enabled device, such as a computer or tablet.

What Is the Full Form of ACP Benefits?

Eligible households receive a monthly discount of up to $30 on internet services. Qualifying households on tribal land receive up to $75.

You can also get a one-time discount of up to $100 for the purchase of a laptop, desktop or tablet from a participating seller through the program.

Is the ACP Legitimate?

If the ACP seems to good to be true, good news: It is legitimate. The ACP is a federally-funded program formed as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. It is administered by the Universal Administrative Services Company (USAC), with the FCC overseeing the USAC.

ACP Eligibility

How do you qualify for President Biden’s internet plan? You’re eligible for the program if your household meets any of the following criteria:

• At or below 200% of the poverty line
• Eligible for programs like SNAP, Medicaid, free or reduced school lunch, SSI, public housing, WIC or Lifeline
• Received a Pell Grant

ACP Service Provider Participants

Not all internet providers participate in the ACP. You can visit the Affordable Connectivity government website to search for participating providers in your area. A few providers that may offer help with your internet bill, depending on the area you live in, include:

• Cricket Wireless
• Verizon Wireless
• GTel
• National Wireless

There are dozens of internet providers that participate in the ACP.

Applying for ACP Assistance

You can apply for ACP assistance on the Affordable Connectivity government website, by mail or through your internet provider, if it is a program participant. You’ll need to provide identifying information, like your Social Security number, your address and contact information to get started.

Once your application is accepted, you can select an internet plan and have your ACP discount applied.

Tips for Reducing the Cost of Internet

Whether or not you qualify for ACP assistance, the following tips can help you reduce the cost of your internet bill. 

1. Invest In a Router and Modem

The major internet providers charge between $10 and $15 per month in equipment rental fees. That’s $120-$180 a year for a modem and router that you have to give back when you end your service.

You can save money in the long run with an investment in a modem/router combo of your own — you no longer need one of each. You can buy a modem/router combo for as little as $99 to $129, which will pay for itself before the first year of your internet contract is up, even on the low end of typical equipment rental fees.

2. Lower Your Speed

Your service provider will use language like “lightning fast” and “blazing speed” to get you to buy a faster — and more expensive — plan.

According to Tom’s Guide, 50-100 Mbps is enough for three to five devices engaged in online gaming and 4K streaming, as well as standard web browsing, social networking, emailing and video streaming. If five or more devices are doing all that plus large file sharing and live video streaming, you’ll still be fine with just 150-200 Mbps.

BroadbandNow confirms that “internet speeds in the 100-200 Mbps range are ideal for most households.” If you’re paying for more, try scaling back your plan — you can always upgrade again if your connection gets sluggish.

3. Ditch Your Unlimited Mobile Data Plan

If you’re one of the millions of Americans who now work remotely — full time or just on occasion — you can cut your Wi-Fi costs indirectly by downgrading your mobile data plan and letting your in-home Wi-Fi do the heavy lifting.

According to How-to Geek, most people use less than 6GB of data per month and simply don’t need the expensive unlimited plans that all the major carriers push. You might consider dropping your major carrier altogether and opting for an alternative provider. Mint Mobile, for example, offers 4GB of data through the T-Mobile network for $15 per month if you pay for a year in advance.

4. Shop Around and Negotiate Your Service Terms

According to BroadbandNow, “most cable companies will offer you a better monthly price if you call and ask about it.” The effort will probably require several calls, quite a bit of patience and lots of politeness. But if what you’re asking is reasonable, you’re legitimately willing to cancel your service and you’re at or near the end of your contract, the back-and-forth will probably end with the company lowering your bill in order to keep you as a customer.

Takeaway

Internet service is becoming nearly as essential as electricity or water in many households. If you think your household may qualify for ACP assistance, find out today if you can receive financial help with your internet bill.

Then see if any of the tips above can help you cut the cost further. Just make sure you do your homework before using them to ensure they suit your situation. For instance, buying a modem or router would be a waste of money if your internet provider doesn’t charge extra for equipment. And if your job requires that you have a high-speed internet connection, switching to a lower plan is probably not a good idea.

Andrew Lisa contributed to the reporting for this article.

Information is accurate as of June 2, 2023.

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