The Back Door Slide

Uncle Joe & Auntie Pam are at it Again

In less than 38 days the ACP {Affordable Connectivity Program} will be shut down and more than 23 million people will risk losing internet. The ACP was signed into law on November 15, 2021 and began to accept enrollments on December 31, 2021.

What is the ACP

The ACP is a valuable initiative that has helped many households stay connected during challenging times.

This program was designed to make online connectivity within reach for eligible households for whom it would otherwise be unaffordable, heavily subsidizing the cost of broadband service and the purchase price for devices that could help people connect to jobs, essential healthcare, virtual classrooms and more

Since the onset of the pandemic, the program has evolved to address ongoing needs for online accessibility and to extend support to households who are in need.

Designed as a permanent extension of the Emergency Broadband Benefit, the Affordable Connectivity Program replaced the EBB on December 31, 2021. Congress mandated the creation of the ACP as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which became law in November 2021.

The new law also gave express authorization to the FCC to conduct outreach for the ACP, including grand provisions to outreach partners, to increase awareness of the ACP, specifically among recipients of federal housing assistance. ACP is limited to one monthly service discount per household, providing a discount of $30 per month or $75 for households on Tribal Land

Who is Eligible

According to the FCC, a household is eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program if the household income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines

The ACP program provides a discount on broadband service and connected devices to eligible households.

It is part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which became a federal law on November 15, 2021, and provided $14.2 billion to expand the Emergency Broadband Benefit program to a longer-term broadband affordability program.

However, the $14.2 billion Congress initially made available for the ACP is running out. Due to the lack of additional funding for the ACP, the Commission has announced that April 2024 will be the last month ACP households will receive the full ACP discount, as they have received in prior months.

ACP households may receive a partial ACP discount in May 2024. After May 2024, unless Congress provides additional funding, ACP households will no longer receive the ACP benefit and the ACP will end.

Winding Down

The FCC has begun taking steps to wind-down the ACP.

Winding-down refers to steps the FCC is taking to provide information to ACP households on ways to keep their internet connection after the ACP has ended, and to stay informed about changes to their internet bill and service.

Without additional funding from Congress, after May 2024 the ACP will end and ACP households will no longer receive the ACP benefit.

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.

May 2024: If Congress does not provide additional funding, ACP households may receive a partial ACP discount from their internet company in May 2024.
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.

Households are encouraged to consult their internet company to learn more about how the end of the ACP will impact their internet service and bill.

The Crumbs

What other FCC federal programs are available to help households with their internet bill?

ACP households may also be eligible for the FCC’s Lifeline program, which offers up to $9.25 a month off phone, internet, or bundled phone and internet services (up to $34.25 if you live on qualifying Tribal lands).

Not all ACP recipients will qualify for Lifeline and not all ACP internet companies participate in the Lifeline Program. To learn more and apply, visit lifelinesupport.org. https://www.fcc.gov/affordable-connectivity-program-consumer

Response

In the dead of night the government is hiding funds. Even before crossing the border, migrants still in Mexico are being handed debit cards loaded with $800 a month to enable them to pay for necessities.

The gift cards are distributed by the non-profit Organization for Migration, thanks to money provided by the US State Department. Let’s put a stop to this nonsense of throwing money at a problem that can’t help this countries legal population who are struggling to make ends meet and start to help us instead of them.