As parents, students, and teachers prepare for the new school year, it is a good time to remind everyone about a program that could help folks get more affordable internet.
The FCC has a benefit program, the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), to help eligible households receive discounts on internet services.
FCC Press Secretary Paloma Perez said more than 19 million Americans have benefited from it including 403,791 households in Kentucky.
The FCC launched the program in December of 2022 with an initial $14 billion in funding from the government.
For eligible households, the Affordable Connectivity Program offers up to $30 a month off of internet services and a one-time discount up to $100 off of a computer or similar device.
erez said those eligible must have a household income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or a member of the household meets at least one of the following criteria:
Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year
Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider’s existing low-income internet program
Participates in one of these assistance programs: Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program, including at U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Community Eligibility Provision schools
Participates in one of these assistance programs: SNAP, Medicaid, Federal Housing Assistance
Meanwhile, the FCC projects that the initial batch of funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program will be exhausted by the first half of next year, but they are hoping the funding will be continued.
Last month, the White House announced $42.25 billion in funding for Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) for all 50 states and territories. One billion of that funding will be coming to Kentucky. BEAD is part of President Biden’s “Internet for All” initiative.
Perez said the two programs go hand in hand in helping people get connected to the internet.
Source: WBKO
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