Congress proposes $7B affordable connectivity extension

Federal lawmakers have proposed $7 billion in funding to extend the Affordable Connectivity Program.

The ACP works through internet service providers to provide discounts to households that do not exceed 200% of federal poverty guidelines. The ACP serves 23 million households in the nation, approximately 700,000 of which are in Pennsylvania.

The benefit provides a discount of $30 a month for internet service. For those on Tribal lands, the amount is $75 a month.

Eligible households may also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to buy a laptop tablet, or computer from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase.

In the Susquehanna Valley, as of November of 2023, approximately 80,000 people are enrolled in the ACP.

• Adams County: 2,541
• Cumberland County: 8,341
• Dauphin County: 20,417
• Juniata County: 569
• Lancaster County: 21,038
• Lebanon County: 7,264
• Perry County: 1,336
• York County: 18,807

There are a few ways a household can be eligible for the ACP.

• Received a Federal Pell grant during the award year
• Participate in an assistance program such as SNAP, Federal Housing Assistance, or Medicaid
• Participate in an assistance program such as Tribal Head Start and live on qualifying Tribal lands

Without congressional intervention, the funds for the ACP will run out by the end of April. The FCC estimates that if the program ends, 64 million people will lose internet access. WGAL