As expected, the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) did not secure funding by May 31, and the program is now officially over after today. This leaves over 20 million Americans facing significant choices. If you are among those affected, hopefully, you have already taken precautions by either switching to more affordable plans or finding alternative forms of assistance. Some of you may have been holding out hope that the FCC — or another entity — might once again intervene, as it did by partially covering costs for the month of May. Now that there is no hope left the program will continue, you may be wondering about the best alternatives to the ACP.
Sign up for Lifeline Assistance if you haven’t already
With ACP no longer available, Lifeline remains the only federally supported internet assistance service for low-income citizens. Although not as generous as ACP, Lifeline offers a monthly subsidy of $9.25 that can be applied towards broadband or phone services. There’s a possibility you are already enrolled in this program, as it was possible to have both ACP and Lifeline concurrently. Lifeline is the only official government program left. If you are not currently receiving any government assistance, you’ll need to have an income at or below 135 percent of the federal poverty guidelines to qualify. You automatically qualify for Lifeline if you apply and at least one person in your household participates in SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, FPHA, or the Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit.
Consider state and local resources
While many states simply direct their citizens to the Lifeline program to reduce ISP costs, there are notable exceptions. For instance, Oregon supplements its Lifeline program with state funds, offering a more substantial discount of $19.25 per month.
Beyond Oregon, states like California and Illinois provide resources to help residents find low-cost plans. These aren’t direct assistance programs; rather, they act as intermediaries, helping you find either a nonprofit program that offers assistance or ISPs that provide discounted services for lower-income customers.
Regrettably, many state websites are outdated; they still recommend signing up for the now-defunct ACP and fail to offer updated resources. Hopefully, state and local governments will soon adjust to the absence of ACP and update their resources.
Additionally, it’s worthwhile to explore local government programs in your city. For example, Chicago’s “Chicago Connected” program offers free internet to families enrolled in Chicago public schools or eligible city colleges.
There are a few independent, non-profit programs that might help
While there are a ton of resources out there that help you find a cheaper ISP, most of these are just resource hubs and don’t directly provide any programs of their own. Nonetheless, these can be helpful:
– The National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) has a lot of resources on internet policy, finding an affordable plan, and much more.
– United Way is a massive nonprofit aiming to close the poverty gap and open new opportunities for those in need.
– Internet for All Now is a nonprofit that helps Californians find low-cost plans in their area, linking residents with a trained expert.
– EveryoneOn is a nonprofit dedicated to ensuring everyone has access to the web.
For most Americans who can’t afford their current plan without the ACP discount, finding a cheaper ISP program is more likely than getting someone to reduce your current bill. The good news is that if you’re leaving your ISP due to the discontinuation of ACP assistance, you can switch providers or change plans without any penalties.