The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) was created as a part of the Federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Infrastructure Act) adopted on Nov 15, 2021, to help low-income households pay for internet service and connected devices. Congress allocated $14.2 billion for the program and tasked the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) with implementing it. The program started in December 2021, but the FCC indicated that funding would run out at the end of April 2024. The FCC therefore began winding down the program and stopped accepting applications on February 7, 2024.
There is some hope that Congress will allocate additional funding as part of its budget negotiations. Also, some U.S. Senators have introduced the Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act, which would provide $7 billion to extend the ACP at least through the end of 2024.
According to the FCC, existing eligible participants receive the ACP discount through the end of April 2024 and part of May. You receive notice from your Internet Service Provider (ISP) regarding the specific date your discount expires.
After the end of the program, in order to switch you to a non-discounted service, your ISP must establish your willingness and ability to pay for Internet service. This requirement is met if you 1) previously consented to receiving Internet service following the end of the ACP; 2) paid for Internet service from the ISP before you started receiving the ACP discount; or 3) currently pay a fee for your ACP-supported service. If none of these requirements is met, an ACP provider must get an opt-in form from you before charging a rate higher than the ACP rate. You should contact your Internet company to discuss your options.
In Fairfax County, those options include low-cost Internet programs offered by Comcast, Cox and Verizon, whose eligibility requirements parallel those of the ACP. If you weren’t eligible for the ACP, you likely also won’t be eligible for these programs. They include Comcast’s Internet Essentials, Cox’s ConnectAssist and Connect2Compete, and Verizon’s Verizon Forward. If you’re eligible, the monthly charges for the programs range from $9.95 - $30 per month. You can contact the providers directly to see if you qualify.
FTC Consumer AlertOn October 8, 2021, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) alerted consumers that there have been ads on social media offering to "help" you sign up for the FCC's EBB program to get "free" devices in exchange for money or personal information. Although the EBB program does provide benefits including discounts on devices and internet access, there is no payment required to enroll. Be aware that these ads are scams. Government impersonators can look and sound like the real thing, so make sure you enroll only through the official program sources described below. |
FCC Consumer AlertAugust 30, 2021 The FCC issued a consumer advisory, warning that a website, purportedly run by "WiFi Freedom USA", falsely claimed to be administering the FCC's EBB program and was offering connected devices and services and collecting personal information. The FCC and USAC (actual administrator of the program) took immediate steps to shut down the website and have the associated social media page removed. They are also working with law enforcement to address the issue. When seeking information and/or applying for EBB program benefits, please be sure you're accessing the program's official USAC website GetEmergencyBroadband.org. |
*Fairfax County does not guarantee that information displayed reflects the most current federal program updates. The information may be subject to change.