Programs Explained · 5 min read · Updated Jul 10, 2026

Is ACP Still Available in 2026?

Short answer: no. Here's exactly what happened to the Affordable Connectivity Program, and what to do if you were relying on it.

Short answer: no

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is no longer available. The FCC stopped accepting new ACP applications on February 7, 2024, after Congress did not approve additional funding, and the benefit fully wound down for existing enrollees by mid-2024.

What happened

ACP launched in 2021 with a fixed pool of congressionally appropriated funding rather than an ongoing funding source like Lifeline's Universal Service Fund. Once that one-time funding was used up and Congress didn't extend it, the FCC had no legal path to continue the program.

What ACP customers can do now

If you previously received service through ACP, you may still qualify for Lifeline, which remains active and is funded on an ongoing basis. Many former ACP providers, including Free Phone Wireless, also offer Lifeline plans, so switching your qualifying benefit over is often straightforward.

Watch for scams

Because ACP is well known, be cautious of any offer that claims to enroll you in "ACP" today — the program no longer exists. Verify any free-phone offer against a provider's Lifeline application, not an ACP one.