If you are one of the millions of Americans who have been benefiting from the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), it is important to know that the program is no longer accepting new applications or enrollments as of February 7, 2024.
This means that if you have not already enrolled in the program, you are no longer eligible to receive the monthly subsidies of $30 to $75 to help low-income households pay for home internet.
The ACP was established by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to provide affordable internet access to low-income households.
However, the program is expected to end this spring unless Congress appropriates additional funding. As a result, the FCC has begun taking steps to wind down the ACP. This means that even those who are currently enrolled in the program will no longer receive the benefit after the program ends.
Affordable Connectivity Program No Longer Accepting Applications
The ACP was created by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to help low-income households afford internet access. The program provided a monthly discount of up to $30 on eligible broadband services and up to $100 on eligible devices, such as laptops and tablets.
However, due to the program’s limited funding, it has stopped accepting new applications and enrollments. If you are already enrolled in the ACP, you are expected to continue to receive your full ACP benefit through at least April 2024.
However, barring additional funding from Congress, April is expected to be the last month enrolled households will receive the full benefit. After that, the benefit may be reduced or discontinued altogether.
Alternative Program
However, there may be other FCC programs that you may qualify for, such as the Lifeline program, which provides a monthly discount on phone or internet services for eligible low-income households.
You can visit the FCC website or contact your service provider to learn more about available programs and eligibility requirements.
Impacts on Current ACP Beneficiaries
If you are currently enrolled in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), you may be impacted by the recent announcement that the program will be ending soon.
The ACP was designed to provide eligible households with a $30 per month discount towards fixed or wireless broadband services, helping to bridge the divide and increase access to the internet and accommodating tablets for low-income families.
According to recent data, as of December 2023, nearly 10 million households were enrolled in the ACP. If you are one of these households, you will continue to receive the benefit on your internet service until ACP funding runs out, which is currently projected through April 2024.
However, once the funding runs out, you will no longer receive the ACP discount on your internet service.
If you are currently enrolled in the ACP and rely on the discount to afford internet service, losing the discount could have significant impacts on your ability to access online resources. You may need to consider other options for affordable internet service, such as low-cost plans offered by internet service providers or community-based initiatives.
Conclusion
Overall, the end of the ACP will have a significant impact on millions of low-income households across the United States. If you are currently enrolled in the program, it’s important to be aware of the upcoming changes and plan accordingly to ensure continued access to the internet.