The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), administered by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), is slated to run out of funding. The FCC has instructed Internet Service Providers to stop accepting new ACP enrollments after Feb. 7, 2024, and is currently planning for April to be the last month the full discount is provided to families. This program, which helps low-income households pay for internet service, will affect 67,548 subscribers in Allegheny County.
Members of Congress have put forth legislation proposing an additional $7 billion to extend the program. Over 400 organizations, including telecom giants Verizon and Comcast and community groups like Just Harvest, endorsed this legislation.
Join us and urge Congress to pass a permanent extension for ACP by April.
Background:
In 2021, President Joe Biden signed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law into law, including $14.2 billion for ACP. Under the ACP’s existing rule, people who receive WIC, Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, Federal Housing, Veterans benefits, free or reduced-price school meals, or federal Pell grants are eligible, as are those with incomes below 200% of poverty with proof of income. More than 22.5 million households are on the program. Saving $30 ($75 if they live on tribal lands).
Even though the program just started in 2021, more than 22 million Americans have enrolled and benefit from being able to access high speed internet at affordable prices. Connectivity is increasing necessary for work and school, and keeping the prices affordable is vital to keeping money available for other necessities.
Now more than ever, congressional approval is needed to continue the program after the initial funding runs out.
Tell your member of Congress to pass a permanent extension for ACP by April.
Dear JH, We Would like more information on legal options to transition Free Phone Service into n May & April 2024 off of ACP
The following was emailed from Q Link :
You will continue to receive your Q Link ACP benefit until May 31, 2024. However, instead of
UNLIMITED, you will get 7GB of data. Due to the lack of government funding, your last day of FREE UNLIMITED data is April 30, 2024.
Without your ACP benefit, you will STILL have FREE phone service with Lifeline, but it won’t be UNLIMITED unless you decide to purchase a prepaid plan upgrade.
How Will This Affect My Phone Service?
Your ACP Benefit will be reduced during the month of May. You will receive UNLIMITED Talk & Text plus 7GB of Data. No action required! We will do this for you automatically.
If you want to keep your UNLIMITED service, you can upgrade for only $4.75. This discount can only be used for your service during the month of May. Etc…
The Lifeline program will continue to exist and be an option for free phone service. It looks like your phone provider is continuing your Lifeline benefit so that you can have free phone service, but since ACP is ending due to Congress failing to fund the program, they are reducing the amount of data included in your phone plan.