Low-income internet in Texas: Lifeline and provider programs

By the BillAnswers team · Updated October 19, 2026 · How we check facts

The main government help is Lifeline, a monthly discount of up to $9.25 on qualifying phone or internet service (FCC, page reviewed March 3, 2026); Texas adds a state discount of up to $3.50, for up to $12.75 a month (Texas Lifeline FAQ). Texas residents apply through the state's Texas Lifeline process, online at texaslifeline.org or at 1-866-454-8387, not the federal National Verifier. The Affordable Connectivity Program ended on June 1, 2024, but providers such as AT&T, Xfinity and Spectrum run their own low-cost plans with their own rules.

Your options at a glance

This page names providers only to report what their own pages said on October 19, 2026. It does not rank them. Which providers serve you depends on your exact address; check the FCC National Broadband Map.

Lifeline: the federal rules

The FCC says Lifeline gives a monthly discount on qualifying phone, internet or bundled service from participating providers. Its rules:

• You qualify with household income at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or if you take part in SNAP, Medicaid, Federal Public Housing Assistance, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Veterans Pension Benefits or certain Tribal programs.
• Only one Lifeline benefit is allowed per household. A household is everyone at one address who shares income and expenses.
• You must recertify every year or be removed from the program.
• Survivors of domestic violence or human trafficking may get emergency Lifeline support for up to six months under the Safe Connections Act.

USAC's eligibility page says the 135% limit uses the 2026 Federal Poverty Guidelines and lists $21,546 a year for a one-person household in the 48 contiguous states.

Applying in Texas

The FCC says: "If you live in Texas or Oregon, use your state's application process." In Texas that is the Texas Lifeline site, linked from the PUCT.

1. Apply online through the self-enrollment form (English or Spanish), or call 1-866-454-8387 to have an application mailed. You can also mail it to Texas Lifeline, PO Box 4060, Killeen, TX 76540-4060, or fax it to 1-877-215-8018.
2. Include a copy of your latest phone or internet bill with your name and address.
3. Include proof of a qualifying program, or proof of income: last year's tax return or three months in a row of income documents from the past 12 months.
4. If you already receive a qualifying program through the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), the Texas Lifeline FAQ says you are enrolled automatically.

Why you see both 135% and 150%

Federal and Texas sources use different income limits, and each ties its number to a different discount:

• 135% is the FCC's federal limit for the $9.25 federal discount.
• 150% is the limit on the PUCT's Telecommunications Bill Assistance page, which describes the Texas program for basic telephone service, and the general limit in the Texas Lifeline FAQ.
• The Texas Lifeline income table (last modified January 19, 2026) shows both: a federal limit and a higher state limit for the telephone and broadband discount. For one person, $21,546 federal and $23,940 state.

The Texas program also lists more qualifying programs than the federal list, including LIHEAP, CHIP, TANF and the free school lunch program. If your income falls between the two limits, or you qualify only through a Texas-listed program, ask the administrator at 1-866-454-8387 which part of the discount applies to your internet service.

The ACP has ended

The FCC says the Affordable Connectivity Program and its monthly discount ended on June 1, 2024, because Congress did not provide more funding. The FCC also warns that some provider websites still advertise the ACP and collect personal information. If you see one, file a complaint at fcc.gov/complaints.

Provider low-cost plans

Each provider sets its own rules. What their pages said on October 19, 2026:

• Access from AT&T: for households where someone takes part in a qualifying government assistance program, or with income below 200% of the federal poverty guideline. AT&T says availability is limited. If income cannot be verified automatically, you may be asked to upload a W-2 or Social Security benefits statement.
• Xfinity Internet Essentials: for households that take part in programs such as the National School Lunch Program, housing assistance, Medicaid or SNAP, or that qualify by income; that have not had Xfinity Internet in the last 90 days; and that owe no Comcast debt less than one year old. Service must be available at your address.
• Spectrum Internet Assist: a 50 Mbps plan for qualified households in certain government programs. Spectrum says it has no data caps and no contracts, and that seniors 65 or older who receive SSI are eligible.

Before you sign up, read the plan's broadband label for the monthly price, fees and speeds. For plans with no credit check or contract, see home internet with no credit check.

Last updated: October 19, 2026