Money has run out for subsidies helping low-income Americans connect online for work, school and other vital functions
Last month, 23 million American households had a difficult choice to make. Do they keep their internet access, or do they forgo having this utility because of rising costs?
This is because the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), the signature broadband access initiative from the Biden administration, has run out of money. Passed under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in 2021, qualifying low-income households received a monthly $30 to $75 subsidy to cover internet service.
Unless Congress acts and appropriates more funding, millions are losing their connection to work, education and other essential daily functions. This includes more than 2.9 million California households who have benefited from the ACP.
Closing the digital divide has long plagued policymakers who have strived to connect more Americans to this vital service. Despite a record number of Californians having access to the internet, for example, approximately 6% of Black, Latino and low-income households continue to lack internet.
With the ACP now expired, families across the nation will undoubtedly sacrifice internet service due to a significant bump in their monthly household expenses. Over 75% of ACP users reported that losing this benefit would either motivate them to change internet plans or drop service entirely.
