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Affordable Connectivity Program - (Program Ending)

The Affordable Connectivity Program will no longer accept new applications and enrollments.

The FCC anticipates that the current ACP funding will run out in April 2024. This date is an estimate and may change. A partial benefit could be available May 2024 for eligible households. 

As a result, the FCC has begun taking the following steps to wind down the ACP:

  • After May 2024: If Congress does not provide additional funding, the ACP will run out of funding and ACP households will no longer receive the ACP benefit.
  • May 2024: If Congress does not provide additional funding, ACP households may receive a partial ACP discount from their internet company in May 2024.
  • April 2024: If Congress does not provide additional funding, April 2024 will be the last month ACP households will receive the full ACP discount, as they have received in prior months. ACP Wind-Down Consumer Fact Sheet Page 2 of 3.
  • March 19, 2024: ACP households should have received their second notice from their internet company, informing them that the ACP is ending and the impact on their internet service and bills. The third notice will be included as part of the last bill or billing cycle in which the full ACP discount is applied.
  • March 4, 2024: The FCC issued a Public Notice announcing that April 2024 will be the last month for ACP households to receive the full ACP discount, as they have in prior months. ACP households may receive a partial discount in May.
  • February 8, 2024: The ACP stopped accepting new applications and enrollments. Both paper and electronic ACP applications were removed and are no longer available. Households that were approved and enrolled with an internet company before this date and remain enrolled in the program will continue to receive their ACP discounts during the wind-down period until the ACP ends.
  • January 25, 2024: By this date, households that were receiving the monthly ACP discount should have received their first notice from their internet company with information about the end of the ACP.
  • January 11, 2024: The FCC released an Order detailing the wind-down process.

 

According to The FCC ACP Wind-Down Fact Sheet (Español) here are some ways for households to prepare for the end of funding:

  • Consistently check their emails, text messages, and mail for notices from their internet company about the ACP ending and how it will impact their internet bill.
  • Contact their internet company and ask if they have a lower cost plan and/or a low-income program. When calling their internet company, have account and billing verification information.
  • Contact Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) for questions about the wind-down. Consumers can call the ACP Support Center at 877-384-2575 or go to AffordableConnectivity.gov for information about the status of the program.
  • Consumers can also file a complaint through the FCC's Consumer Complaint Center at https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov about ACP billing and service issues.

Notifications to internet customers receiving the benefit: 

According to the FCC, during the wind-down period, internet companies are required to send ACP households three (3) separate notices about the ACP ending and its impact on household internet bills and service. Internet companies are also required to send notices to ACP households in writing and in a manner that is accessible to persons with disabilities. Please see The FCC ACP Wind-Down Fact Sheet for notice deadlines and further details. 

For frequently asked questions please see the FCC FAQs for the ACP Wind-Down (Español). 

Lifeline is the FCC's program to help make communications services more affordable for low-income consumers. Lifeline provides subscribers a discount on qualifying monthly telephone service, broadband Internet service, or bundled voice-broadband packages purchased from participating wireline or wireless providers. The discount helps ensure that low-income consumers can afford 21st century broadband and the access it provides to jobs, healthcare, and educational resources.

Apply for Lifeline

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