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Video Title: Affordable Connectivity Program - Winding Down
TRANSCRIPT:
Since December 31, 2021, the Federal Communications Commission has managed the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). Congress established the ACP in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and appropriated $14.2 billion for the program. The FCC was tasked with developing and implementing the ACP so eligible households can afford the internet connections they need for work, school, health care and more. The benefit provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. As of January 2024, over 22 million households are enrolled and are receiving the ACP monthly benefit.
Without additional funding from Congress, the FCC projects the current ACP funding will run out in April 2024. This date is an estimate and may change. As a result, the FCC is taking steps to wind down the ACP, which means:
- No new ACP enrollments will be accepted after February 7, 2024 at 11:59 PM ET. Households that enrolled with an ACP internet company before that deadline will continue to receive their benefit until ACP funds run out as long as the household remains enrolled and eligible for the benefit.
- When ACP funds run out, households participating in the ACP will no longer receive the ACP discount.
To receive the ACP benefit, you must submit an application, and once you’re qualified, you must contact your preferred internet company to enroll in the program. Both steps must be completed by February 7, 2024 at 11:59 PM ET.
If you qualified for the ACP, but you do not sign up with an internet company by February 7, 2024 at 11:59 PM ET, then you will no longer be able to enroll in the Affordable Connectivity Program to receive the ACP benefit.
During the ACP wind-down period, households enrolled in the ACP will receive notices from their internet company about the impact of the end of the benefit on the household’s bill and service. The notices will tell households:
- that the ACP is ending,
- the impact on their bill,
- the date of the last bill they will receive that includes the ACP benefit, and
- that they may change their service or opt-out of continuing service after the end of the ACP.
ACP households will also receive notices from the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), the administrator of the ACP.
ACP households may also switch their internet plans without penalty.
For now, the FCC recommends that households receiving the ACP benefit should:
- frequently check for communication for more information and further updates regarding the ACP benefit. Also visitgetinternet.gov/ AffordableConnectivity.gov and fcc.gov/acp;
- contact your internet company to find out how the end of the ACP will affect your monthly bill and to ask about available options;
- visit fcc.gov/acp for frequently asked questions and answers. The FAQs provide additional guidance about the ACP wind-down process, including what households need to know about retaining internet service after the end of the ACP;
The FCC will be posting updates about the ACP, including the last month of the ACP benefit, on its website at fcc.gov/acp.
You can submit questions to the FCC about the ACP wind-down process by sending an email to ACPInfo@fcc.gov. For other questions about your monthly bill or your internet service, please contact your internet company.
For more information, persons who are deaf or hard of hearing can use the FCC’s ASL Consumer Support Line by calling 844-4-FCC-ASL (844-432-2275)