HOUSTON — At its peak, the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) assisted 23 million households with monthly discounts on internet plans. In November 2023 the FCC chairwoman testified before Congress, saying the funds for the program were set to run out by April 2024. ACP is winding down and is expected to run out of funds on June 1.
THE QUESTION
Are ACP payments partially covered for one month?
THE SOURCES
THE ANSWER
Yes, ACP will partially cover payments for one month.
WHAT WE FOUND
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) stopped taking new applications and enrollments for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) in early February 2024.
The program allows qualifying low-income households to get $30 per month, and trial communities up to $75 per month for internet plans.
ACP came out of the Emergency Broadband Benefit that offered financially struggling households money to keep internet access during the pandemic. ACP officially replaced the Emergency Broadband Benefit on Dec. 31, 2021. Internet providers have been providing notice to program participants about the wind-down process.
The FCC said ACP households are not required to stay with their internet company or keep their same internet plan after the program ends. The KHOU 11 Verify Team contacted the Houston area's biggest internet providers, who offered internet plans covered by ACP.
Xfinity/Comcast tells the KHOU 11 Verify Team they have removed the pre-existing qualifications for its internet essentials plan, while also rolling out a new pre-paid option called "now."
T-Mobile in an email response from the KHOU 11 Verify Team directs customers to its website explaining the next steps, including for those getting lifeline benefits.
AT&T will continue to offer those on the Access plan service for $30 per month.
Spectrum says they will continue to offer low-cost internet plans. The company is also offering a free Spectrum Unlimited Mobile line for one year exclusively for former ACP Spectrum customers.
For questions about ACP, you can call the ACP Support Center at (877) 384-2575 or email: ACPSupport@usac.org.
