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The government’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is no longer accepting new applications and currently winding down for existing households receiving the benefit.
What does the wind down mean?
- Households receiving the benefit will receive 3 notices from their internet provider about the impact on their household’s bill and service.
- April 2024 is the last month enrolled households will receive the full benefit. Households that continue to receive internet service will be subject to their internet company’s undiscounted rates, along with the internet company’s general terms and conditions.
What should you do?
- Review your eligibility for the FCC’s Lifeline program by visiting the USAC Lifeline Support website.
- Call your internet service provider to ask about other low-cost options that may be available to you.
- Review additional low-cost plans in your area on the EveryoneOn website.
- Attend Senior Planet’s “Affordable Home Internet” lectures, which will be added to the bottom of this page when they are available.
What questions should l ask my Internet Service Provider?
- What will happen to my internet service when the Affordable Connectivity Program ends?
- How will this change impact my bill?
- What other discounts are you offering to keep me connected to the internet?
- Will I be able to choose a new internet service plan?
- Do I have to make a choice to continue internet service?
- Will there be new fees such as enrollment or equipment fees?
Who else can l contact?
- Call the FCC’s ACP Support Center hotline at 877-384-2575
- Visit GetInternet.gov for information about the status of the program.
- File complaints about ACP billing and service issues through the FCC’s Consumer Complaint Center website.
Affordable Connectivity Program Wind Down Timeline*
January 25, 2024
- Households receiving a monthly ACP benefit prior to this date received notices from their internet company with information about the end of the ACP benefit. This information included timing of the end of the program and the impact of the loss of the benefit on the household’s bill and service.
February 7, 2024
- The last day that the ACP accepted new applications. Eligible households needed to be approved and enrolled with an internet company by 11:59 PM ET on February 7.
March 2024
- Households enrolled in the ACP are expected to start receiving additional notices from their internet company about the last month households will see the benefit applied to their broadband bill and the impact of the loss of the benefit on their household’s bill and service. Providers are required to start sending notices 15 days after the FCC confirms that final funded month of the ACP.
April 2024
- If Congress does not provide additional funding, consumers that are enrolled in the ACP are estimated to receive their benefit on their internet service through April 2024.
*Current as of February 12, 2024, linked here.