Advocates of affordable connectivity plans were dealt a serious blow on Tuesday when the Senate canceled a planned markup on a bill that would have provided $7 billion in subsidies. ACP offers Internet discounts of $30 to $75 per month to low-income families and expires in May.
Several bills to extend the program have been introduced in Congress throughout the year but have yet to come to a vote. The most promising avenue for an ACP extension is considered to be through the Spectrum and National Security Act, which was scheduled for a hike on June 18 but was canceled for the fourth time this week.
Previous meetings were described as “postponed” and the group described Tuesday’s meeting as canceled. The bill’s sponsor, Senate Commerce Chair Maria Cantwell (D-WA), told reporters that while no new date for the increase has been scheduled, she “will not give up” on the bill.
“I hope my colleagues will stop the obstruction and renegotiate important legislation that will achieve these national security priorities and help Americans continue to have access to things like affordable housing,” Cantwell said in a statement. Something as important as broadband.
According to a White House fact sheet, nearly half of ACP subscribers are military families. Older Americans, African Americans, and Latinos also have higher levels of dependence on ACP.
Kenneth Sigler, a small business owner from Hernando, Mississippi, said: “The difference between choosing to have a roof over my head, or whether to eat, or whether to pay for the Internet, is having a conversation with my psychiatrist on the Internet. Things like virtual appointments “It basically helps me not have to choose what bills I’m going to pay. “
While no single resource can replace the $14.2 billion ACP, a variety of local and state subsidies, nonprofits and discount programs offered by providers can help ease the transition. Here’s everything currently available.
lifeline
Lifeline is a federal subsidy that provides low-income families with a home internet or cell phone plan for $9.25 per month. The qualification requirements are slightly more stringent than ACP. Your income must be less than 135% of the federal poverty level, which is $40,500 for a family of four.
Lifeline Income Requirements
| house size | 48 contiguous states, territories and territories | Alaska | hawaii |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $19,683 | $24,584 USD | $22,640 |
| 2 | $26,622 USD | $33,264 | $30,618 |
| 3 | $33,561 | $41,945 | $38,597 USD |
| 4 | $40,500 | $50,625 | $46,575 |
| 5 | $47,439 | $59,306 | $54,554 |
| 6 | $54,378 | $67,986 | $62,532 |
| 7 | $61,317 | $76,667 | $70,511 |
| 8 | $68,256 | $85,347 | $78,489 |
| For each additional person, add: | $6,939 USD | $8,681 | $7,979 |
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You can also get a lifeline if you (or someone you live with) are on any of the following programs:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly food stamps)
- Medicaid
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
- Veterans Pensions and Survivors Benefits
If you live in California, Oregon, or Texas, you must check with your internet provider or visit your state’s website to apply for the program.
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State and local resources
Some states and cities across the country offer their own local versions of ACP to help low-income families pay for internet. California, for example, has a website that lets you search your zip code for affordable options based on various eligibility criteria, while Oregon offers Enhanced Lifeline benefits for $19.25 a month.
Cities like Chicago offer free internet to families in Chicago Public Schools and eligible city colleges through its Chicago Connect program. The best way to find these resources is to go to Google and search for “[location] Internet resources.
You can also see how your state is using the $2.75 billion allocated in the Digital Equity Act to help close the digital gap.
Low-income plans for Internet providers
Many internet providers have their own discount programs for low-income families, including AT&T, Spectrum and Xfinity. Requirements vary, but are generally similar to ACP: Must meet certain income requirements or participate in federal programs like SNAP or the National School Lunch Program.
Internet provider discounts
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To determine which providers are available in your area, enter your address on the Federal Communications Commission’s broadband map.
Non-profit organizations
There are many nonprofits across the country whose goal is to close the digital divide. Some help you pay your monthly internet bills, while others provide devices to connect you to the internet. These organizations have received nonprofit status from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and are subject to review by regulatory agencies such as Charity Navigator and Guidestar.org:
- Connect all: Connect All, part of the InterConnection nonprofit organization, provides refurbished computers to low-income users. Eligibility requirements are similar to those for ACP: participation in a federal program such as SNAP or SSI automatically qualifies you for a device.
- everyone is here: EveryoneOn is one of the broadest nonprofit organizations online. You can use its locator tool to find low-cost plans and computers in your area, sign up for digital skills classes and find local events that distribute devices.
- Human IT: The nonprofit accepts corporate donations, refurbishes equipment and sells it at a discount to veterans, low-income families, seniors and other eligible groups. It also offers low-cost Internet service for less than $30 per month through its mobile hotspot devices.
- Now everyone can use the Internet: This is an initiative of the nonprofit California Emerging Technology Fund to help Californians find low-cost programs in their area. People in California can call and speak with trained experts, but the website has resources that anyone across the country can use.
- National Alliance for Digital Inclusion: The NDIA is a well-known center for research and policy aimed at closing the digital gap, and while it does not provide low-cost internet itself, it is a useful resource for navigating what does exist. You can also use the map of NDIA affiliates providing broadband adoption services to see what services are available in your area.
Explore other internet plans in your area
If your bill has gone up significantly with the end of ACP, another option is to search for other internet providers in your area. Most ISPs offer plans for under $50 per month, and you can often find additional discounts, such as bundling with a cell phone plan or signing an annual contract.
Buying your own equipment can also save you some extra money each month. It usually costs about $15 to rent a modem and router from an Internet provider, but you can buy your own for $100, especially if you use refurbished equipment. That said, you’ll want to make sure your modem is compatible with your provider before buying one.
