The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), launched by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), is a replacement to the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) program, which provided broadband internet service for eligible New York City households at a reduced cost during the COVID-19 pandemic.
As of February 7, 2024, new ACP applications are no longer accepted. Consumers enrolled in the ACP will continue to receive their benefit until the program ends. Funding for the program is currently expected to run through April 2024 (note: this date and estimate may change).
For more information, families may call the ACP helpline at (877) 384-2575.
There are several free or low-cost internet options available to New York City students and families.
Free Hoop Wireless Tablet with Internet
Hoop Wireless offers a tablet with 10GB of high-speed data per month, at no cost. Any household receiving government assistance (e.g., Medicaid, SNAP, Section 8, Free or Reduced School Lunch, WIC, etc.) is eligible. Available through the FCC’s ACP, there is a limit of one offer per household with a $10 one-time copay required.
• Receive a new, quality 10" tablet every year
• Enjoy 10GB of high-speed data and unlimited additional data
• Get hotspot capability for connecting other devices
• Sign up in less than five minutes
Please note: Only existing ACP subscribers are eligible for this offer.
Free Internet for Your Home
The following internet carriers are offering free household Wi-Fi or special accommodations for 60 days:
- Comcast
- Charter Communications/Spectrum
- Altice
Learn more about the above at NYC.gov.
Free Internet Locations in NYC
There are many places across the city where you can go to connect to internet for free. Locations include:
T-Mobile’s Project 10Million
T-Mobile is proud to partner with the NYC DOE in joint efforts to continue to eliminate the Digital Divide in New York City. T-Mobile has a robust program, Project 10Million, that they are offering to all families who lack consistent internet connectivity at home for their K12 students, and qualify for free-reduced lunch, SNAP, or EBT benefits. Please navigate to https://www.t-mobile.com/brand/project-10-million, click on “Apply now,” and fill out a brief form to receive a free 4G wireless hotspot device with 100GB of high speed data, free, annually for five years.
For more information on this project, please go to: DTC Flyer – English or DTC Flyer - Español
Low-Cost Internet Plans
The following internet plans are available to eligible participants. Eligibility varies by provider. Contact the provider for more information.
Altice (also known as Optimum)
Altice offers Altice Advantage, a plan that starts at $14.99/month. To qualify, you must be:
- eligible for--or participate in--the National School Lunch Program (NSLP); or
- a New York City resident who attends a New York City public school; or
- eligible for--or receive--Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and 65 years of age or older; or
- a veteran and receive state or federal public assistance.
Charter (also known as Spectrum)
Charter offers Spectrum Internet Assist, a plan that starts at $14.99/month. To qualify, one or more members of your household must be a recipient of one of the following assistance programs:
- National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
- Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) of the NSLP
- Supplemental Security Income (for applicants age 65+ only)
Verizon
Verizon offers the Lifeline program, a plan that starts at $19.99/month. To qualify:
- Your annual income is at 135% or less than of the U.S. federal poverty guidelines
- You, or someone in your household, participates in a qualifying federal assistance program:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (formerly known as food stamps), or
- Medicaid, or
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
- Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
- Tribal Programs (and live on federally-recognized Tribal lands)
For more eligibility information, visit Lifelinesupport.org
Wi-Fi Hotspots for Existing Cable Customers
As an extension of their internet service, the providers listed below enable each other's high-speed internet customers to access up to 500,000 nationwide WiFi hotspots through the network name CableWiFi:
- Cox
- Optimum
- Spectrum
- Xfinity
Learn more at cablewifi.com