Mequon resident Donna Daniels said she has to watch her spending as a “single senior,” but she has relied on the benefits offered by the Affordable Connect program since she enrolled a year and a half ago. Ta.
So when her provider, Spectrum, told her the program was about to end, she was devastated.
“Everyday life revolves around internet access, including all communications, text messages, checking bank accounts,” Daniels said, asking public investigators to explain how and why the program was ended. Ta. “I can’t imagine this not being affordable to everyone who wants it.”
Daniels said she has had to find other ways to pay for her internet bill, but she’s not alone.
One in six households in Wisconsin is enrolled in an ACP, but funding for the federal program is running dry. The program stopped accepting applications in February, and the last fully funded month was April, according to the Federal Communications Commission.
This $14.2 billion program is one of many initiatives funded by the bipartisan Infrastructure Act of 2021. But if Congress doesn’t approve a funding extension by May, more than 23 million households nationwide enrolled in ACP will lose out, the FCC said. their advantages.
Here’s what you need to know and how to find help in Wisconsin.
What is the Affordable Connections Program?
Starting in 2022, ACP will provide eligible households with up to $30 off their monthly bill for internet service through participating internet providers, and up to $30 per month off for households living on eligible tribal lands. We are offering a discount of $75. .
The federal grant program also offered a one-time discount of up to $100 on the purchase of a laptop, computer, or tablet.
When will ACP end?
April is the last fully funded month in ACP for all businesses. The program will end after May unless Congress approves a funding extension.
Will Spectrum and other internet providers continue to offer discounts?
According to the FCC, some internet companies will offer partial discounts in May. Those companies must notify households enrolled in the program if this applies to them, the FCC said, but ACP households can confirm by contacting their provider.
Spectrum will no longer offer Internet credit starting in May, according to the company’s website.
Why was ACP established?
The program, which provides internet to low-income households, was passed with bipartisan support in 2021.
Research shows there is a digital divide in the U.S. Low-income households are more likely than higher-income households to have internet access or own a computer at home, according to a 2021 Pew Research Center study. It is known that sex is low. Studies also show that blacks and Hispanics are less likely than whites to have the internet or a computer at home.
The coronavirus pandemic has brought remote work and learning to the forefront, and the digital divide has become a focus of attention. For example, the Pew Research Center found that 59% of low-income parents say their children are likely to face digital obstacles with distance learning.
What should ACP users do to prepare for program termination?
ACP households that have agreed to continue service with their internet provider or were already paying for service before the discount began will not see their service interrupted, the FCC said.
ACP households may also contact their provider to opt out of services after the program ends.
The FCC recommends that ACP users ask their Internet companies:
- How will internet prices change after April 2024?
- Are there other low-cost internet plans available?
- Does the company have a program based on my income?
- Can I continue to receive services after the program ends? If so, how much will my bill be?
The FCC’s Consumer Protection Fact Sheet includes information on how Internet companies should consider ending their programs, including providing adequate notice to customers and the number of days after a customer pays the first unpaid fee that the company can terminate service. It outlines how you should respond.
Are there other programs that offer internet discounts in Wisconsin or the United States?
Households with incomes up to 135% of the federal poverty guidelines or those participating in certain federal assistance programs, such as Medicaid, may qualify for Lifeline. Lifeline is a federal program that provides discounts of up to $9.25 per month to eligible customers and up to $34.25 per month to customers who live on tribal lands.
You can use the Universal Service Management Company Search tool to find an Internet company near you that participates in the program and sign up for Lifeline online.
The nonprofit PC for People provides computers at affordable prices to qualified customers.
Additionally, United Way of Wisconsin has launched a statewide digital equity initiative. Call 2-1-1 or fill out this online form to connect with a digital resource navigator who can help you enroll in financial assistance programs.
How do I claim an ACP extension?
The bipartisan ACP Extension Act, introduced in January, would have provided $7 billion in funding to extend the program, but it has not moved forward.
Opponents of the extension question whether the ACP is really needed to help low-income households access the internet. In a letter to the FCC, several Republican lawmakers argued that the majority of people receiving ACP benefits already had broadband access before the program began.
But there are ways to tell Congress why the program should continue.
The nonprofit Affordable Broadband Campaign provides a template for contacting your representatives. The group offers conversation points to help voters talk to their elected officials, as well as an email template to urge Congress to extend the program.
Spectrum has also created pre-built email templates to help ACP users prompt their representatives to extend or replace the program.
Any more questions?Contact the public investigation team
Government corruption. Corporate fraud. Consumer Complaints. Medical fraud. Public Investigator is a new initiative of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and sister newsrooms across Wisconsin. Our team wants to hear your tips, follow the clues, and uncover the truth. We will investigate anywhere in Wisconsin. Send your tips to watchdog@journalsentinel.com or call 414-319-9061. You can also submit a tip at jsonline.com/tips..
Quinn Clark is a reporter for Public Investigator.You can email her at QClark@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @Quinn_A_Clark.
