More than 238,000 low-income Minnesotans like Arens need the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) to close the digital divide. But they may soon lose that help. So may 2.5 million others across the country.
The Federal Communications Commission, the agency that runs the pandemic-era program, warned last week that the $14.2 billion Congress appropriated for the program will run out in April. The agency said it has begun to wind down the program and will stop accepting new applications and enrollments on Feb. 7.
And without additional funding from Congress, the FCC said it will be forced to shut down the program later this year.
Here are the qualifications…
To qualify for the ACP, a household income must not exceed 200% of the federal poverty level of $30,120 for an individual and $62,400 for a family of four.
There are other ways to qualify for the program, too, including enrollment in food stamps, Medicaid or a federal housing assistance program. Students who receive a Pell grant would also qualify.
Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a low-cost laptop, tablet or desktop computer.
There are some efforts to extend it…
Almost immediately after the FCC issued its warning last week, bipartisan groups in the U.S. House and U.S. Senate introduced the Affordable Connectivity Program Act, legislation that would appropriate $7 billion so the program could continue.
And some resistance…
However, some congressional Republicans criticized the program as “wasteful” in a letter to FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel last month that said a majority of low-income families had broadband before they applied for the subsidy.