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Low-Income New Yorkers to Benefit from $15 High-Speed Internet Law

Low-Income New Yorkers to Benefit from $15 High-Speed Internet Law

Sandy Staggs

New Yorkers struggling with expensive internet bills now have a reason to celebrate! The Affordable Broadband Act, now in effect, provides low-income households access to high-speed internet for as little as $15 per month. Despite pushback from major internet service providers (ISPs), the law stands strong, ensuring digital access for thousands across the state.

$15 Broadband Plan: A Game-Changer for New Yorkers

As of January 2025, New York State has mandated that ISPs provide affordable broadband plans to eligible households:

✅ 25 Mbps for $15 per month
✅ 200 Mbps for $20 per month

However, not all ISPs are thrilled about this law. AT&T, for instance, has scaled back its services in New York, even removing its Internet Air service from the market.

While some broadband providers already offer discounted plans, this new law ensures a standardized, affordable option for qualifying households. Other available programs include:

  • Astound’s Internet First Program – Less than $10 per month
  • Spectrum’s Internet Assist Program – $25 per month

With the national average cost of internet at $63 per month, this initiative could significantly reduce financial stress for families who need internet access for work, school, and daily life

Washington State's ambitious $45 million Electric Vehicle (EV) Instant Rebate Program, aimed at making EVs more affordable and reducing carbon emissions, has been criticized for not meeting expectations. A recent policy brief by the Washington Policy Center (WPC) revealed that the program did not deliver the promised environmental benefits or provide much assistance to middle-income earners. The program, which was launched by the Washington State Department of Commerce, promised up to $9,000 off the lease of a new EV for low-income drivers. The state claimed that this rebate would make EV leases affordable, potentially bringing payments down to under $200 per month – far below the average $700 monthly payment for a gas-powered vehicle. However, after analyzing vehicle registration data for the two-and-a-half months the program was active, experts concluded that the program fell short of its goals. Failure to Meet Expectations Todd Myers, Vice President for Research at WPC, expressed disappointment with the outcome during an interview with The Center Square. He explained that the program was expected to increase sales of EVs and plug-in hybrid vehicles by about 8,700 units. In reality, it achieved only half of that target, with only around 4,800 vehicles sold through the rebate program. Myers pointed out that the environmental impact was minimal, saying, “For $45 million, we reduced emissions by just 0.03%. That’s virtually nothing for taxpayer money.” Despite the high cost of the program, the actual CO2 emissions reduction was almost negligible. Program Favors Higher-Income Earners One of the program's main goals was to provide assistance to low- and middle-income residents, making EVs accessible to those who traditionally struggle to afford them. However, data revealed that this was not the case. Before the rebates were introduced in August, the average income of individuals buying cars in the participating ZIP codes was around $122,000. After the program started, this dropped slightly to $118,000, indicating that the rebates were largely claimed by individuals with relatively high incomes. “The same people who were buying electric vehicles before the subsidies were still the ones purchasing them during the rebate period,” Myers said. “They’re certainly not poor.” Unintended Beneficiaries: Wealthy Buyers The WPC report highlighted that the rebate program disproportionately benefited wealthier buyers, particularly those purchasing popular models like the Tesla Model 3. Tesla sales more than doubled during the subsidy period compared to 2024 sales before the rebates. For example, buyers could receive $9,000 from Washington State, and an additional $7,500 from the federal government, totaling $16,500 in taxpayer-funded subsidies. While these subsidies may have made EVs more affordable for some buyers, they did not help to significantly shift the market toward low-income individuals. Myers called this outcome a waste of taxpayer money, especially considering that the program fell far short of its environmental goals. A Step Backward for Environmental Goals? The WPC’s analysis also pointed out that while the EV market in Washington State did see growth, it wasn't as significant as hoped. By October, EVs and plug-in hybrids accounted for just 21.8% of new vehicle sales in Washington, a slight increase over the 2023 level of 20.5%. This falls well short of the 35% target for 2026. Andrew Wineke, Deputy Communications Director for the Washington Department of Ecology, defended the program, pointing out that Washington is a national leader in the transition to clean vehicles. He noted that more than 200,000 zero-emission vehicles are now on the road in the state, with a 30% increase in sales over the past year. Wineke further stated that the rebates are just one tool in a larger strategy to accelerate the adoption of clean vehicles. The state's zero-emission vehicle regulations are expected to continue driving progress toward their long-term targets. What’s Next for EV Programs in Washington? Despite the program's shortcomings, Governor Jay Inslee's outgoing budget proposal included a request for an additional $82 million to extend and expand the EV rebate program for the current biennium. The question remains whether the new administration, under Gov. Bob Ferguson, will continue this initiative. The Center Square reached out to Gov. Ferguson's office for comment, but no response was received at the time of publication. As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how Washington will adjust its strategy to meet the state’s environmental and economic goals.
Washington’s EV Subsidy Program Favors Wealthy Buyers, Fails to Meet Environmental Goals

Who Qualifies for the Affordable Broadband Program?

New Yorkers can enroll in the program if they participate in at least one of these government assistance programs:

📌 National School Lunch Program (Free or Reduced Lunch)
📌 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
📌 Medicaid
📌 Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption
📌 Disability Rent Increase Exemption
📌 Other utility affordability benefits

This initiative is particularly important following the expiration of the federal Affordable Connectivity Program in 2024, which previously helped families afford internet services.

Legal Battles and ISP Opposition

Despite the positive impact on low-income households, major broadband companies have attempted to block the mandate, taking the issue to the U.S. Supreme Court. However, the court declined to hear the case, allowing the Affordable Broadband Act to move forward.

With broadband now being considered an essential utility, affordable pricing ensures equal access to digital resources, especially for families and seniors who rely on the internet for education, job applications, telehealth, and staying connected.

New York’s Plans to Expand Digital Access

Beyond lowering broadband costs, New York is investing millions in bridging the digital divide.

Washington State's ambitious $45 million Electric Vehicle (EV) Instant Rebate Program, aimed at making EVs more affordable and reducing carbon emissions, has been criticized for not meeting expectations. A recent policy brief by the Washington Policy Center (WPC) revealed that the program did not deliver the promised environmental benefits or provide much assistance to middle-income earners. The program, which was launched by the Washington State Department of Commerce, promised up to $9,000 off the lease of a new EV for low-income drivers. The state claimed that this rebate would make EV leases affordable, potentially bringing payments down to under $200 per month – far below the average $700 monthly payment for a gas-powered vehicle. However, after analyzing vehicle registration data for the two-and-a-half months the program was active, experts concluded that the program fell short of its goals. Failure to Meet Expectations Todd Myers, Vice President for Research at WPC, expressed disappointment with the outcome during an interview with The Center Square. He explained that the program was expected to increase sales of EVs and plug-in hybrid vehicles by about 8,700 units. In reality, it achieved only half of that target, with only around 4,800 vehicles sold through the rebate program. Myers pointed out that the environmental impact was minimal, saying, “For $45 million, we reduced emissions by just 0.03%. That’s virtually nothing for taxpayer money.” Despite the high cost of the program, the actual CO2 emissions reduction was almost negligible. Program Favors Higher-Income Earners One of the program's main goals was to provide assistance to low- and middle-income residents, making EVs accessible to those who traditionally struggle to afford them. However, data revealed that this was not the case. Before the rebates were introduced in August, the average income of individuals buying cars in the participating ZIP codes was around $122,000. After the program started, this dropped slightly to $118,000, indicating that the rebates were largely claimed by individuals with relatively high incomes. “The same people who were buying electric vehicles before the subsidies were still the ones purchasing them during the rebate period,” Myers said. “They’re certainly not poor.” Unintended Beneficiaries: Wealthy Buyers The WPC report highlighted that the rebate program disproportionately benefited wealthier buyers, particularly those purchasing popular models like the Tesla Model 3. Tesla sales more than doubled during the subsidy period compared to 2024 sales before the rebates. For example, buyers could receive $9,000 from Washington State, and an additional $7,500 from the federal government, totaling $16,500 in taxpayer-funded subsidies. While these subsidies may have made EVs more affordable for some buyers, they did not help to significantly shift the market toward low-income individuals. Myers called this outcome a waste of taxpayer money, especially considering that the program fell far short of its environmental goals. A Step Backward for Environmental Goals? The WPC’s analysis also pointed out that while the EV market in Washington State did see growth, it wasn't as significant as hoped. By October, EVs and plug-in hybrids accounted for just 21.8% of new vehicle sales in Washington, a slight increase over the 2023 level of 20.5%. This falls well short of the 35% target for 2026. Andrew Wineke, Deputy Communications Director for the Washington Department of Ecology, defended the program, pointing out that Washington is a national leader in the transition to clean vehicles. He noted that more than 200,000 zero-emission vehicles are now on the road in the state, with a 30% increase in sales over the past year. Wineke further stated that the rebates are just one tool in a larger strategy to accelerate the adoption of clean vehicles. The state's zero-emission vehicle regulations are expected to continue driving progress toward their long-term targets. What’s Next for EV Programs in Washington? Despite the program's shortcomings, Governor Jay Inslee's outgoing budget proposal included a request for an additional $82 million to extend and expand the EV rebate program for the current biennium. The question remains whether the new administration, under Gov. Bob Ferguson, will continue this initiative. The Center Square reached out to Gov. Ferguson's office for comment, but no response was received at the time of publication. As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how Washington will adjust its strategy to meet the state’s environmental and economic goals.
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📢 $15.5 Million Digital Equity Program Capacity Grant – This two-year grant will fund digital literacy training, device access, and tech support for underserved communities.

📢 $3 Million ConnectALL Initiative – A campaign dedicated to publicizing the Affordable Broadband Act, helping eligible households sign up for the program, and connecting them with affordable devices and educational resources.

📢 Public Service Commission Oversight – The commission is working to ensure ISPs comply with the law and do not impose hidden fees or limit service availability.

Why This Law Matters for New Yorkers

The Affordable Broadband Act is not just about cutting costs—it’s about ensuring digital equality. Here’s what this initiative means for the state:

✔️ More students can complete online coursework
✔️ Seniors and low-income families can afford telehealth services
✔️ Job seekers gain access to online job applications
✔️ Small businesses and remote workers benefit from reliable internet

By making broadband affordable and accessible, New York is setting a nationwide precedent for how digital access should be treated as a basic necessity rather than a luxury.

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Final Thoughts: A Win for New Yorkers

While some major ISPs oppose the mandate, this law is a game-changer for thousands who struggle to afford essential internet services. With ongoing state investments, grant programs, and compliance monitoring, New York is taking bold steps to close the digital divide.

For eligible residents, this means one thing: high-speed internet at a fraction of the cost—ensuring that no one is left behind in the digital age.

Disclaimer – Our team has carefully fact-checked this article to make sure it’s accurate and free from any misinformation. We’re dedicated to keeping our content honest and reliable for our readers.

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