If you remember the federal Affordable Connectivity Program that gave millions of households a monthly internet discount, you also remember the bad news: it ran out of money and ended. What a lot of New Yorkers do not realize is that New York State quietly replaced it with something better — a permanent law that requires major internet providers to offer eligible households a real home internet plan for no more than $15 a month. If your household receives SNAP, Medicaid, or HEAP, you may be paying two or three times what you should for internet right now. Here is exactly how the program works and how to switch.
What the Affordable Broadband Act actually requires
The New York State Affordable Broadband Act (ABA) is a state law administered through the Department of Public Service. According to the City’s official ACCESS NYC program page (last updated March 2, 2026), the law requires large internet providers to offer eligible households one of two options:
- A plan of 25 Mbps or more for no more than $15 per month, or
- A high-speed plan of 200 Mbps or more for no more than $20 per month.
Two details make this genuinely valuable. First, ACCESS NYC states that these reduced-cost plans already include taxes and equipment fees, so the price you see is the price you pay — there is no surprise modem rental charge stacked on top. Second, you are not required to buy a bundle. You do not have to add cable TV or a phone line to get the rate.
The other big difference from the old federal program: this one is permanent. ACCESS NYC is explicit that the Affordable Broadband Act is “a permanent law guaranteeing discounted internet for eligible households, unlike the Affordable Connectivity Program which was a temporary COVID-19 pandemic benefit.” It is not going to expire when a funding pot runs dry.
Who qualifies
You may qualify for a low-cost home internet plan under the ABA if someone in your household receives any of the following benefits, according to ACCESS NYC:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Medicaid
- Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE)
- Disability Rent Increase Exemption (DRIE)
- An affordability benefit from a utility, such as the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
- Free or reduced-price lunch through the National School Lunch Program
If you are not enrolled in any of those programs, ACCESS NYC notes you may still qualify based on household income — but income limits vary by provider, so you would need to contact the internet company directly to check.
One reassurance for immigrant households: ACCESS NYC states plainly that these plans “don’t count as ‘public charges’ and won’t affect your immigration status.” Mobile and dial-up services are not included in the program; this is for home internet.
The catch worth knowing
The Affordable Broadband Act is not a discount you apply for through the government and then attach to any provider. The plans are offered by the internet companies themselves, and each provider has its own enrollment process and its own required documents. ACCESS NYC points to three popular qualifying programs: Spectrum Internet Assist, Optimum Advantage, and Verizon Forward. Which ones are available depends on your address.
That is why the most important first step is figuring out which qualifying provider serves your building. New York State runs a tool for exactly this purpose.
How to switch and what you could save
If you are currently paying a standard rate — often $50 to $80 a month after promotional pricing expires and equipment fees are added — moving to an ABA plan at $15 to $20 could save a qualifying household roughly $400 to $700 over a year. For a family already stretching to cover rent and a ConEd bill, that is real money.
Action Steps
Here is the practical sequence to get the lower rate:
- Confirm you receive a qualifying benefit. SNAP, Medicaid, HEAP, SCRIE, DRIE, or the school lunch program all count. If you are unsure what you are enrolled in, you can screen your benefits at ACCESS NYC.
- Find your provider. Use the New York State broadband map at mapmybroadband.dps.ny.gov to see which qualifying internet companies serve your address.
- Apply directly through the provider. Look for terms like “low cost,” “reduced cost,” or “Affordable Broadband Act” on the provider’s site. Start with Spectrum Internet Assist, Optimum Advantage, or Verizon Forward. You verify your eligibility and enroll through the company, not through the state.
- Ask about taxes and fees in writing. Under the law the advertised ABA price already includes taxes and equipment. If a representative tries to add a modem fee, point to the Affordable Broadband Act requirement.
- Call 311 if you get stuck. ACCESS NYC directs New Yorkers to call 311 and ask about “low cost internet” for help identifying a plan.
While you are sorting out a permanent home plan, you can also lean on free options. New York City offers free public Wi-Fi through LinkNYC kiosks, libraries, and parks, and NYCHA residents may qualify for free service through Big Apple Connect — we cover all of these in our guide to free Wi-Fi across NYC in 2026. And if you need to build digital skills to make the most of being connected, the public library system offers free computer classes.
Internet is no longer optional in New York — it is how you apply for benefits, do schoolwork, and look for an apartment. The Affordable Broadband Act exists specifically so that a tight budget does not cut you off from any of it. If you qualify, the only thing standing between you and a $15 plan is a five-minute check of the state’s provider map.
Source: ACCESS NYC, “Affordable Broadband Act (ABA) | NYS Department of Public Service,” nyc.gov, last updated March 2, 2026.
