The US government has announced that it can only pay about half of what low-income Americans are entitled to under the Affordable Connectivity Program, a popular federal benefits program that provides monthly discounts on internet service to over 23 million households. Due to a lack of funds, the program will only be able to provide partial benefits in May before shutting down altogether. This will leave many subscribers facing the possibility of having to pay significantly more for internet access or even having to give it up altogether, forcing them to make difficult decisions between paying for internet and putting food on the table.
The Affordable Connectivity Program was created in 2021 to provide qualifying low-income households with discounts of up to $30 a month on internet service, or $75 a month for households on tribal lands. However, the initial $14 billion funding for the program is running out, and Congress has yet to extend it. The Biden administration has blamed congressional Republicans for blocking legislation that could renew the program and prevent Americans from facing higher bills. While there is support for additional funding for the ACP, there has been uncertainty from some key figures in Congress about backing this legislation, putting millions of Americans at risk of losing their internet access.
The Federal Communications Commission has called on internet service providers (ISPs) to voluntarily step in and help close the gap left by the end of the Affordable Connectivity Program. The FCC is encouraging ISPs to offer their own discounts, shift consumers onto low-cost internet plans, or take other steps to ensure that low-income Americans do not lose their service. Major internet providers are being contacted by CNN for comments on the FCC’s request for voluntary measures, as millions of households are at risk of losing their discounted internet access.
Millions of American households are facing economic distress as the Affordable Connectivity Program runs out of funds, leaving many without the full benefits they rely on to afford internet access. Congress’s failure to extend the program has put the burden on low-income Americans to potentially pay more for internet service or go without it entirely. The popularity of the ACP across the political spectrum indicates that there is bipartisan support for additional funding, but the lack of action from Congress has left many vulnerable households in limbo.
The looming shutdown of the Affordable Connectivity Program highlights the urgent need for Congress to act quickly to ensure that low-income Americans can continue to access affordable internet service. The potential impact on millions of households underscores the importance of programs like the ACP in bridging the digital divide and ensuring that all Americans have access to essential services. As pressure mounts on lawmakers to secure additional funding for the program, the future of internet access for millions of low-income Americans hangs in the balance. The FCC’s call for voluntary measures from ISPs offers a potential lifeline for those at risk of losing their internet service, but ultimately, it is up to Congress to provide long-term solutions to prevent a digital access crisis.
