UPDATE: On April 9, 2024, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) officially released a public notice confirming the maximum Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) benefit amounts to be distributed in May.
What does this mean for me?
I am a Mecklenburg County resident.
I am an organization or partner.
I am a Mecklenburg County resident.
What was the Affordable Connectivity Program? The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) was a federal program that offered eligible households a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households also received a one-time discount of up to $100 toward purchasing a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if the household contributed more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price.
Why did this program end? Here’s why: The original funding is set to run out in April 2024, and the government has not yet set aside additional money to continue the ACP program. If you get a $30 discount on your internet bill as an ACP benefit, it will end, and your internet bill may increase unless you take action.
I applied, but I’m unsure of the status. What do I do? Connect with a Digital Navigator through this form or call 3-1-1, press any number, and ask to get connected to one.
I have been receiving the ACP benefit. What can I expect?
If you were enrolled in ACP before February 7, 2024, you will keep getting the $30 benefit until the fund runs out in April 2024.
In May, recipients can expect a partial benefit on their internet bill. For those receiving the $30 monthly benefit, a maximum of $14 can be expected to be applied. For those receiving the $75 Tribal benefit, a maximum of $35 can be expected. For those still seeking a one-time device benefit of $100, a maximum of $47 can be expected.
You should receive three notices from your internet provider about what that means for your bill and your options:
- The first notice you should have received this past January from your internet provider.
- Expect the second notice to come after February 7th. This notice should inform you when your last ACP benefit will be applied.
- The third and final notice should be included with the bill where the final ACP benefit has been applied.
IMPORTANT: Contact your internet service provider before April if you want to continue or cancel your service and to learn more about your options. It is crucial to call your internet provider as soon as possible to find out how this change may impact your monthly bill.
Do I have other options for low-cost internet? Yes! You may be eligible for other programs. Find out with the help of a Digital Navigator by completing this form, or call 3-1-1, press any number, and ask to get connected to one.
I want to help save the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). What can I do? Your voice matters! Please consider contacting Congress to keep ACP going. We need Congress to help. We can ask them to fund ACP in these ways:
- CALL: Visit the Affordable Broadband Campaign’s website, www.dontdisconnectus.org, to call and ask for ACP funding.
- WRITE: Email Congress.
- SIGN: Or you can sign this petition.
Have questions? Need additional resources? Contact a Digital Navigator through this form. You can also call 3-1-1, press any button, and ask to connect to a Digital Navigator.
I am an organization or partner.
What was the Affordable Connectivity Program? The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) was a federal program that offered eligible households a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households also received a one-time discount of up to $100 toward purchasing a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if the household contributed more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price.
Why did this program end? Here’s why: The original funding is set to run out in April 2024, and the government has not yet set aside additional money to continue the ACP program. More than 22 million households currently enrolled in the program get a $30 discount on their internet bill as an ACP benefit. This is ending, and millions of households may encounter increased internet bills in the coming weeks unless we take action.
Know a resident who is receiving the ACP benefit, here’s what they can expect.
If they are enrolled in ACP before February 7, 2024, they will keep getting the $30 benefit until the fund runs out in April 2024.
In May, recipients can expect a partial benefit on their internet bill. For those receiving the $30 monthly benefit, a maximum of $14 can be expected to be applied. For those receiving the $75 Tribal benefit, a maximum of $35 can be expected. For those still seeking a one-time device benefit of $100, a maximum of $47 can be expected.
They should receive three notices from their internet provider about what that means for their bill and their options:
- The first notice they should have received would have been this past January from their internet provider.
- They should expect the second notice to come after February 7th. This notice should inform them when their last ACP benefit will be applied.
- The third and final notice should be included with the bill where the final ACP benefit has been applied.
IMPORTANT: Have them contact their internet service provider before April if they want to continue or cancel their service and learn more about their options. Urge them to call their internet provider as soon as possible to find out how this change may impact their monthly bill.
Want to help save the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)? Here’s what we can do.
As a leader in our community, please consider contacting Congress to keep ACP going. We need your help to advocate for affordable internet for you, those you serve, and the community at large. Families are depending on us. Let’s contact Congress and ask them to fund ACP in these ways:
- CALL: Visit the Affordable Broadband Campaign’s website, www.dontdisconnectus.org, to call and ask for ACP funding.
- WRITE: Email Congress.
- SIGN: Or you can sign this petition.
Remember:
- Please communicate with your networks so our residents know to call 3-1-1 and press any button to connect to a Digital Navigator for assistance or connect online.
- Encourage ACP recipients to act. Have them look for notices from their internet provider about what that means for their bill and their internet options. The first notice was sent in late January.
- Consider placing flyers in your place of business to communicate the disruption of the program. Here is one you can use.
Do you have any resources I can use? Yes! Feel free to download these:
Resources provided by NDIA are available here: Affordable Connectivity Program Transition – Support for NDIA Affiliates Serving ACP Participants
Organizations and Partners, have questions? Need additional resources? Call Amy Crippen at (704) 337-2283 or email her at crippena@queens.edu