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    Monday, April 7

    Internet Bills to Climb for Millions of Americans as Government Subsidy Ends

    Updated: Politics No Comments

    Households used to receive discounts of$ 30 to$ 75 under the program.

    Telecom companies are notifying customers about the close of a payment plan that provided low online to Americans, which could drive up online bills for millions.

    The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP ) federal initiative offered households up to$ 30 per month in discounts toward their internet service. For households from qualifying tribal lands, the discount went up to$ 75. More than 23 million families are enrolled already.

    But, the$ 14.2 billion in funding that Congress made available for the program is running away.

    April will be the last fortnight that ACP homeowners will receive the full refund. In May, it will be reduced to a limited cheap. After May, no more discounts may be offered if Congress does no replenish the agency’s money.

    Telecom businesses have been notifying ACP consumers about the impending end of their promotions, with some offering solutions.

    Spectrum now makes it clear that if money is never provided, the “ACP Internet funds you have been receiving on your monthly expenses will end”. While the client may continue receiving Spectrum company, they will have to pay the full price.

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    Verizon even clarified that” all ACP rewards may stop when the latest money runs out in the next few month”. Once it ends, customers you” remain on your schedule at the cost without the ACP subsidy or you may stop your services with Verizon”.
    In a statement to Nexstar news wire, Verizon said it will offer eligible households a monthly discount of up to$ 20 through the company’s” Verizon Forward” program. To be qualified, ACP families have to transport an effective ACP benefit to Verizon before the plan ends.

    A spokesperson from AT&amp, T told the news line that the company is pushing the management for a more permanent alternative on the topic.

    The telecoms company previously offers low- cost internet service through its” Access from AT&amp, T” initiative, applicable to households that receive benefits like SNAP and SSI. Households whose incomes are below 200 percent of federal poverty guidelines also qualify. The standard plan, costing$ 30 per month, comes with unlimited monthly data.

    T- Mobile told Nexstar that it was getting in touch with households who will be impacted by the end of the ACP program. Like other telecom firms, T- Mobile also offers low- cost plans that could help households deal with the end of ACP discounts.

    With ACP ending, many Americans now face a tough choice to cut down their expenses elsewhere to pay for higher internet bills.

    ” My grandkids, they make fun of me, They say I’m cheap. I go,’ No, Grandma’s thrifty.’ I do n’t have any choice, I have to account for every penny”, Cynthia George, a 71- year- old retiree, said in an interview with CNN.
    ” And this would mean that that food bill would have to be cut down. There’s no place else I would be able to take it from”.

    Households Struggle

    According to a survey by Benenson Strategy Group in collaboration with Comcast,” there is widespread concern that loss of the ACP would mean job losses and losing access to health care” for households benefiting from the program.

    “65 percent of ACP Participants fear losing their job or their household’s primary source of income … 75 percent of ACP Participants fear losing access to important healthcare services, like online appointments or prescription medicine refills … 81 percent of ACP parents worry about their children falling behind in school”.

    Among ACP demographics, 49 percent were found to be military families, 19 percent were households with seniors, and 26 percent were located in rural areas.

    ” School REQUIRES internet access. The days of a book for each subject, worksheets, and a pen or pencil are gone. Some]kids ‘ ] parents cannot afford the costly internet or it’s at least bottom of the’ important bills.’ However, every child in school NEEDS internet connection. It is the most important factor for children in school”, a single mom said in the survey.

    A December 2023 survey by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC ) found that 77 percent of respondents may be forced to change their internet plans or drop the service entirely if they lose ACP benefits.
    According to the Benton Institute for Broadband &amp, Society, Americans sent over 280, 000 phone calls, emails, and social media posts to Congress by late January, asking lawmakers to support funding for ACP.
    ” The internet is no longer optional—it’s essential. Without broadband, our local communities cannot access opportunities in education, and employment, nor speak out online and exercise their First Amendment rights”, said Jenna Leventoff, senior policy counsel at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).

    ” Households who struggle to afford broadband should n’t have to sacrifice other necessities to stay connected. The Affordable Connectivity Program has proved to be so necessary that it is facing a funding cliff. But, the Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act could stop families from falling off. We are grateful to the bill sponsors for looking out for families in need”.

    The Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act was introduced in January and seeks to add$ 7 billion in additional funds to the ACP while lawmakers consider making permanent fixes.

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