Will the ACP internet discount program end? How could that affect your internet bill?

Under the bipartisan infrastructure bill passed in 2021, lawmakers established the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) to increase access to high-speed internet for residents of low-income households. For the vast majority of those eligible, a discount worth up to $30 is issued to bring down a household’s internet bill. However, some living on Tribal lands will be eligible for up to $75. Regardless, the funds are issued directly to the internet service provider, limiting the administrative burden for those eligible.

Funding cliff for the ACP approaches

According to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), one in five households remains disconnected from the internet. As healthcare, commerce, banking, and educational opportunities move online, lacking an internet connection can create serious barriers. “While a majority – 58% – of the 24 million offline households express no interest or need to be online, there is also a large proportion who say they can’t afford home Internet service (18%),” reported the NTIA in 2022.

The ACP was established to limit the financial barriers millions face in accessing the internet. However, without an extension of federal funding, this program is slated to be within the next few months. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has urged Congress to extend the funding, which more than twenty-three million people have come to depend on. Many households could see their internet service cut off if the program is allowed to expire without a renewal, which, according to the White House, would cost around $6 billion for the entire fiscal year.

Who is eligible?

The ACP targets low-income individuals and families.

Households receiving social assistance benefits such as SNAP, WIC, Medicaid, public housing benefits, vouchers, and Supplemental Security Income are eligible for the ACP. Families with children who receive Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program are also eligible.

Indigenous people who receive the following benefits are also eligible:

For more on eligibility, see the conditions outlined by the FCC.