What is the ACP?

The Affordable Connectivity Program is an FCC program designed to assist qualifying individuals and families with finding affordable internet access. It can help cover the cost of broadband internet used for school, work, healthcare and more.

How does the ACP work?

If you qualify for the program, it provides a subsidy benefit of up to $30 for eligible Americans, and up to $75 for Americans on Tribal lands to cover the cost of internet. You can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers.

This benefit is designed to be used in conjunction with an internet service provider’s existing plan. To aid in this effort, many ISPs have created special plans that can fully cover the cost of internet, or at least provide a substantial discount.

What does it mean that its winding down?

Despite how great this benefit program has been for over 25 million American households, the program is running out of funds. Unless an extension is granted by Congress, program funds are expected to be fully exhausted as of April or May of 2024. Due to this estimate, no more eligible Americans will be allowed to be enrolled in ACP after 11:59pm EST on Feb. 7, 2024. Visit fcc.gov/acp for more information.

What does this mean for me if I am currently enrolled in ACP?

It means that your benefit will be ending in April or May of 2024. Your provider may have already sent you a notice that your benefit will be ending and gave you options on how to continue or discontinue service. If you have not heard from your provider regarding ACP, please reach out to them.

In March of 2023, SIRPC and our ACP project partners were awarded $500,000 by the FCC to conduct outreach for the Affordable Connectivity Program. Unfortunately, due to the ACP benefit program being closed down, SIRPC's ACP outreach grant project will also have to wind down. We were elated by this funding opportunity to help raise awareness about a program that is potentially life-changing for our communities and provide assistance with getting the eligible enrolled. We are sorry to see such a great opportunity come to a premature close.

With this grant, we helped to reach people and raise awareness about this important benefit. On top of that, we got extra insights as to the the disparities regarding reliable and affordable internet access in southern Indiana. 

Outreach will stop unless Congress acts to allocate more funding for ACP, and pass the ACP Extension Act. This is HR 6929 and S 3565 for US House and Senate bills. We encourage you to contact your federal representatives and urge them to support these bills to extend the ACP program.

If you are a current ACP recipient and have any more questions regarding program wind-down, please reach out to the ACP Outreach Coordinator, Kate Todd, at kate.todd@sirpc.org.