Article Summary –
Access to the internet is crucial for daily activities in the modern world, but the cost can be prohibitive for many families; the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), funded by President Biden’s Infrastructure Law, aims to alleviate this by reducing internet bills by up to $30 per month (or $75 for certain households) and providing a one-time $100 discount on a connected device. Since its inception, over 20 million households, including approximately 863,000 in North Carolina, have enrolled in the ACP, though funding is projected to run out by April 2024, prompting bipartisan calls for an extension through December 2024. Households can qualify for the ACP based on income level or participation in government assistance programs and can sign up through online portals or mail after verifying eligibility.
Affordable Internet Access for North Carolina Families
In today’s digital age, internet access is essential for Americans to work, learn, access health care, and stay connected. However, the cost of internet can be prohibitive for many North Carolina families.
President Biden’s Infrastructure Law, passed in 2021, has provided a solution. Over 20 million households have signed up for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which reduces internet bills by up to $30 per month, or $75 for households on tribal lands and rural areas. The program also offers a one-time $100 discount on a connected device.
The ACP, funded by the law, allows most eligible North Carolina households to get high-speed internet for free through participating providers. As of now, around 863,000 households in North Carolina have enrolled, with more signing up daily, according to the White House.
State and federal officials are urging Congress to extend ACP funding through Dec. 2024, as it is expected to run out by April 2024. In August, 45 bipartisan members of Congress called for an extension.
“We have a unique window of opportunity to ensure every family and child — rural, urban, and suburban — have access to affordable broadband,” the lawmakers stated in their letter.
Eligibility and How To Sign Up
Households can qualify for the ACP if their income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines—about $55,000 for a family of four, or $27,000 for an individual. Eligibility also includes participation in government assistance programs like SNAP or Medicaid, or receiving a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year.
To verify eligibility and sign up, visit GetInternet.gov or GetACP.org/esh. Applications are available in English and Spanish and can be submitted online or by mail.
Once approved, contact one of the 1,300 participating internet providers to choose a plan and apply your benefit. Click here to find a provider near you. For more information, click here or call (877)-384-2575.
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