Internet Bills to Soar as Pandemic-Era Discount Program Winds Down
Financial Burden on American Households
Millions of Americans will soon face higher internet bills as the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which has been providing monthly discounts for internet service, exhausts its funds. April will mark the final fully funded month for the program, which has been immensely popular in California, with over 2.9 million households enrolled as of February 8th.
Dwindling Resources and Limited Alternatives
The ACP’s remaining funds are expected to be partially distributed in May, but the program will officially come to a close once the funds are completely depleted. The federal government has urged internet companies to offer low-cost access as a replacement for the program, but its success is uncertain. The Biden administration has requested an additional billion from Congress to extend the program through the end of the year, but no action has yet been taken.
Pandemic-Era Benefits Disappear
The ACP is not the only pandemic-era program that has recently ended. Last year, California’s pandemic-era SNAP benefits, which provided extra money to eligible families, were discontinued. Millions of state residents also faced the risk of losing Medi-Cal coverage under another pandemic-era policy.
Nationwide Impact
The ACP has provided assistance to approximately 23 million households nationwide. Its expiration will put a significant financial strain on families and individuals who rely on affordable internet access for work, education, and communication.
Calling for Extension
Advocacy groups and elected officials have called for the extension of the ACP, emphasizing the critical role it plays in bridging the digital divide and connecting low-income households to essential services. However, the future of the program remains uncertain, and it is unclear whether Congress or internet companies will step in to fill the void.
Data sourced from: ktla.com
