Help To Extend The Affordable Connectivity Program Before It Comes To An End!

Over 22 million U.S. households are enrolled in the The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), that is equal to roughly one in six of all Americans. ACP is a federal benefit that helps low-income households that qualify pay for internet services and devices.
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The one-time funding for the program that was appropriated by Congress is set to run out by April 2024. Congress may approprate additional funds but it is not guaranteed so the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) must operate as if the program will end. 

Dates to know: 

• April 2024 is projected to be the last fully-funded month 
• February 7th at 11:59 P.M. is the last day to enroll in the program. All enrollment for the program will be frozen starting February 8th. 

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The official last fully-funded month will be announced in late February. ACP households will receive further instruction after this confirmation. Providers must offer additional opt-in to continue service if the consumer had not already been an active customer prior to applying the ACP benefit or if the ACP benefit covers the entire cost of a customer’s bill. 

Notifications To Look For: 

• The FCC will announce the last fully funded month of ACP 60 days prior to the end of that month. (Example: April 2024 is the currently forecasted to be the last month, so the announcement would come on March 1, 2024 if this estimate is correct.) 
• Providers are required to give 3 separate notifications to customer in writing: 

1) January 25, 2024: Must state the possibility of ACP end and potential impact on their future bills 
2) 15 days after FCC announcement of last fully-funded month of ACP 
3) During the customer’s last bill or billing cycle using the ACP benefit 
*Provider Notifications 2 & 3 must state the ending date of ACP and date of the last bill it will be applied to, bill amount without the ACP benefit OR statement that the customer will be subjected to undiscounted rates per term conditions, and give them the ability to change their service and/or to opt out continuing service at the end of ACP. 

ACP Extension Act: Appropriates $7 billion to extend ACP 
House Version: H.R. 6929  

• Sponsors: Reps. Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY-09), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01), Michael Lawler (R-NY-17), Marcus Molinaro (R-NY-19) and Anthony D'Esposito (R-NY-4). 

Senate Version: S. 3565 

• Sponsors: Sens. Peter Welch (D-VT), J.D. Vance (R-OH), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Kevin Cramer (R-ND) 

ACTION ITEMS: 
-Reach out to your member(s) of Congress:  
○ Ask to co-sponsor bill 
 ○ Ask to Support the bill/ACP in general 
-Highlight the bill on social media 
- Share the bill/info w/ your networks 
- Continue collecting & sharing stories of why ACP matters (share w/ us & your community) ​