WASHINGTON D.C., DC — More than one million families throughout Missouri and Illinois have rely on discounted internet services.
Congress established the Affordable Connectivity Program, or ACP, on Dec. 31, 2021. The program gives eligible low-income households up to $30 a month off their home Internet bill.
5 On Your Side viewer Pamela Brown asked the VERIFY team if the program is going to end.
The question
Are reduced Wi-Fi payments going to be discontinued in April?
The sources
The answer
Yes, the FCC anticipates that the ACP will be discontinued. The last fully funded month for the benefit is April 2024.
What we found
The ACP was established as a longer-term successor to the Emergency Broadband Benefit, which helped families struggling to afford Internet access during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The federal government allocated $14.2 billion to the ACP when it started. That money is about to run out. Congress has not approved additional funding so the FCC is winding down the program.
"The Affordable Connectivity Program stopped accepting new applications and enrollments on Feb. 8," the FCC's website said. "Barring additional funding from Congress, April is expected to be the last month enrolled households will receive the full benefit."
Families that have received the ACP benefit should have already received a written notice from their Internet provider about the anticipated end of the program. Providers are also required to send at least two more written notices to households explaining the impact on their bills. Households also have the right to change providers or cancel Internet access without penalty after the ACP ends.
The National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA), a nonprofit focused on digital equity, offers opportunities for households who have relied on the ACP to contact their national representatives and share their experiences with the program. Click here to learn more.
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