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Affordable Connectivity Program

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) was created by Congress and is managed by the FCC. The ACP provides up to $30 per month toward a household’s internet bill, or up to $75 per month for Tribal households.

Learn more on this page about:

How to qualify

How to apply

Frequently asked questions

CenturyLink Affordable Internet
 

Looking for affordable internet? You're in the right place. Just follow the instructions on this page to see if you qualify, get signed up for the Affordable Connectivity Program and apply it to your CenturyLink internet service.

icon of laptop with dollar sign

Do I qualify for Affordable Connectivity Program benefits?

Your household is eligible if you have an income at or below 200% of federal poverty guidelines.

OR if any member of your household:

  • Qualifies for certain assistance programs, such as Medicaid, SNAP, federal public housing assistance, WIC, or Lifeline. If you are already enrolled in Lifeline, you automatically qualify for ACP.

  • Receives benefits under the free and reduced-price school lunch program or the school breakfast program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision.

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

  • Participates in Tribal specific programs, such as Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Tribal TANF, or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR).
See complete qualification details on the USAC website

Apply to receive benefits on your CenturyLink account

Call the CenturyLink Benefits Team at 800-205-8073 Monday-Friday 6 a.m. - 5 p.m. PST or Saturday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

What you'll need when you contact our Benefits Team:

 

If you have started the ACP application, been approved by USAC, or are already enrolled in Lifeline, our Benefits Team can check where you are in the approval process and complete your enrollment:

  • Your ACP application ID (this starts with a B or a Q) from the USAC site
  • The exact information you entered on the USAC application.

If you have not yet applied for ACP, with your permission, our Benefits Team can start your application and provide guidance to complete the process. Once you're approved, our team can then enroll your benefits on your CenturyLink account.

 

Our team will need the following info to get started with your application:

  • The program that qualifies you for ACP
  • Your legal name, date of birth, email address, and phone number

Instructions for online enrollment

Complete the USAC eligibility verification

Universal Service Administrative Company will determine whether you are eligible for the program benefits.

Important application information

  • The names on the USAC application and the CenturyLink primary account holder must be the same. We can change the CenturyLink account information if needed.

  • The application approval process can take several days.

Complete the CenturyLink form to have the discount applied to your account.

New customers: Purchase service online, then complete our form to have the discount applied to your new account.

You can expect to see one or more emails from CenturyLink after you've submitted our form, including confirmation that we've received your application and notice of approval or next steps needed to get approved.

If you have any issues or concerns with the Affordable Connectivity Program, we're here to help. You also have the right to file a formal complaint with the Federal Communications Commission by visiting the FCC Consumer Complaint Center website or by contacting the FCC Consumer Complaint Center at 1-888-225-5322.

Frequently asked questions about the Affordable Connectivity Program

Your household is eligible if you have an income at or below 200% of federal poverty guidelines.

OR if any member of your household:

  • Qualifies for certain assistance programs, such as Medicaid, SNAP, federal public housing assistance, WIC, or Lifeline. If you are already enrolled in Lifeline, you automatically qualify for ACP.

  • Receives benefits under the free and reduced-price school lunch program or the school breakfast program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision.

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


  • Participates in Tribal specific programs, such as Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Tribal TANF, or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR).
See complete qualification details on the USAC website

Yes! In fact, if you are already a Lifeline customer, you are automatically qualified for ACP. You can contact our Benefits Team to start the ACP application using your Lifeline ID (this starts with the letter Q). Once your Lifeline benefits have been verified, our team will provide you with a personalized link to complete your ACP subscriber account and certify your application.

Call the CenturyLink Benefits Team at 800-205-8073 Monday-Friday 6 a.m. - 5 p.m. PST or Saturday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

No, you are not yet approved when you get an ID from the Universal Service Administrative Company. You will receive an email from them directing you to contact a provider and order service.

Yes. The application ID expires 90 days from the application date. That 90 day period starts over after your application is approved.

The Affordable Connectivity Program discount will be applied to the internet charges on your monthly service. If you qualify for ACP, you may also qualify for Lifeline, which can provide you with assistance for your phone service.

No, you can apply your ACP benefit to any CenturyLink speed offer.

The ACP discount cannot be applied to installation charges. However, CenturyLink does offer an ACP Internet Plan that includes applicable installation fees, as well as leased equipment and taxes. 

Yes. We can apply the ACP benefit to any internet account in your name. If your internet service is provided as part of your monthly rent or HOA fees, you may be able to order a separately billed account to apply your ACP benefit.

If you and your roommate share income and expenses, then only one ACP benefit can be applied to your address. 

If you and your roommate have separate income and expenses, you will need to complete a Household Worksheet provided by USAC to certify your separate households and separate benefits. 

If you are moving and are an ACP subscriber, the FCC requires you to reapply to have a record of your new address. Our Benefits Team can help you with reapplying for benefits when you move your service.

Yes, you can get the Affordable Connectivity Program benefit even if you owe a past-due amount. Your past-due amount will still need to be paid. You can set up a payment arrangement online.

We also offer the ACP Internet Plan for $30 per month.  This plan provides:

  • Up to 100 Mbps
  • Equipment
  • No-cost installation if applicable
  • Taxes and fees included

 

Yes. Once your ACP application is approved, we will restore service and add the benefit to your account along with the ACP Internet Plan to help you avoid falling behind in payments again.

The ACP is a long-term federal program designed to ensure qualified customers can afford the internet service they need for school, work, health care, and more. If the program ends or your eligibility status changes, you will be notified by the Universal Service Administrative Company.

If the program ends or your eligibility qualifications change, you will be notified by the Universal Service Administrative Company.

There are no term requirements for CenturyLink internet service. If the ACP ends, you can choose to keep your service or cancel with no penalty.