--- title: Internet Bills for Over 20 Million Americans Set to Spike as Federal Discount Ends description: The U.S. government is winding down the Affordable Connectivity Program, or ACP, which provided free and discounted internet to millions. authors: - name: Adam Hardy role: Lead Data Reporter url: https://money.com/author/adam-hardy/ bio: Adam Hardy is a lead data journalist at Money, where he frequently reports on financial barriers that affect low-income Americans. Adam’s work has also appeared in Business Insider, Forbes, Nasdaq, The Penny Hoarder, Yahoo! Finance and more than a dozen local and regional newspapers. education: University of South Florida, BA, Magazine Journalism at_money_since: 2021 articles: 500 covers: - Lifestyle - Banking - Business - Career Advice - Credit - Credit Cards - Debt - Economy and Politics - Education - Health and Wellness - Housing - Identity Theft - Insurance - Investing - Loans - Mortgages - Personal Finance - Pets - Professional Services - Retirement - Shopping - Taxes - Technology also_seen_in: - The Penny Hoarder - Forbes Advisor - Creative Loafing - The New York Times - The Washington Post - Bloomberg - Harvard Law School - The Federal Register - National Consumer Law Center - CBS News - Becker's Hospital Review - Business Insider - Mother Jones - The Week - Fortune - The Philadelphia Inquirer - National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NAFSAA) - Education Advisory Board (EAB) - The Institute for College Access & Success (TICAS) - This Morning with Gordon Deal - Empower - Reddit social: - https://www.x.com/hardyjournalism - https://www.linkedin.com/in/hardyjournalism/ editors: - name: Julia Glum role: Managing Editor url: https://money.com/author/julia-glum/ bio: Julia Glum joined Money in 2018 and specializes in covering financial trends that affect everyday Americans' wallets. She also writes Dollar Scholar, a weekly newsletter that teaches young adults how to navigate the messy world of money. education: University of Florida at_money_since: 2018 articles: 453 covers: - Lifestyle - Banking - Business - Career Advice - Credit - Credit Cards - Debt - Economy and Politics - Education - Health and Wellness - Housing - Identity Theft - Insurance - Investing - Loans - Mortgages - Personal Finance - Professional Services - Retirement - Shopping - Taxes - Technology also_seen_in: - Newsweek - International Business Times - CBS News - Good Morning America - WUSA9 - Pix 11 - The New York Times - Mashable - The Washington Post - CNBC - Politico social: - https://x.com/superjulia - https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-glum published: '2024-03-26T11:52:16.000Z' section: Lifestyle tags: - News word_count: 1013 canonical: https://money.com/free-internet-discount-acp-ending/ type: NewsArticle source: structured-blocks --- > **Disclosure:** We research all brands listed and may earn a fee from our partners. Research and financial considerations may influence how brands are displayed. Not all brands are included. [Learn more](https://money.com/page/disclaimer/). ![Photo illustration of a cut out of a Wifi symbol with hundred dollar bills in the background](https://img.money.com/2024/03/News-Internet-Bills-Increase.jpg) In the coming weeks, internet bills for more than 20 million low-income Americans are set to increase as a federal subsidy program winds down — and many households could lose broadband access entirely if they can’t afford a plan without the discount. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) says that it's running out of money for its [Affordable Connectivity Program](https://money.com/free-discount-internet-affordable-connectivity/), or ACP, a federal internet subsidy created by a $14 billion investment from the bipartisan infrastructure deal in 2021. The law also provided $65 billion to build broadband infrastructure in rural communities across the country. The ACP provides discounts of $30 per month (or $75 to homes on certain tribal lands) to low-income households. Following the announcement of the program and negotiations from the White House, several [internet providers](https://money.com/best-internet-providers/) created new plans that cost $30 per month, essentially making broadband free for scores of participants. ## If you owe over $10,000 in debt, a Debt Relief Program may be able to help get you back on your feet more quickly. ### Select your state to begin applying for Accredited's debt relief program. [Get Started](https://money.com/pr/u3792545ce33?ap_referrer=%2Ffree-internet-discount-acp-ending%2F) In early February, the program stopped accepting new applicants due to dwindling funds, and the [FCC says](https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-24-195A1.pdf) the final month for enrollees to receive the full subsidy will be April. Some households may get a partial discount in May. If you’re enrolled in the ACP, your internet service provider is required to contact you several times with clear explanations about how your bill and internet plan will be affected. The FCC says providers should have already sent out two notices — one in January and one last week. Still, the nonprofit internet advocacy organization Everyone On recommends that you “keep track of your monthly statements to make sure your provider does not raise your rate before the ACP expires at the end of April 2024.” ## Could the Affordable Connectivity Program be extended? It is possible that the ACP could continue if Congress appropriated additional funding. If that were the case, applications would ostensibly reopen, as well. The program is popular among Democrats and Republicans alike. In January, a bill to infuse the ACP with an additional $7 billion was introduced in [both](https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/6929/all-actions) [chambers](https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/3565/related-bills) of Congress with broad bipartisan support. However, it has not come to a vote or received much attention since then. As the deadline draws closer, many advocates and lawmakers are sounding the alarm that millions of Americans are at risk of losing their internet access entirely if Congress doesn’t act soon. "This potential lapse in funding will jeopardize millions of Americans’ affordable access to a reliable, high-speed internet connection," wrote more than two dozen U.S. senators in a [recent letter](https://www.neca.org/docs/default-source/wwpdf/public/31924congress.pdf) to Congressional leaders. ## If your debt is legit, a Debt Relief company could be a good option to help you pay it. ### If you owe $15,000 or more in debt, Accredited can help you lessen the amount you owe and make managing your debt easier. [Get Started](https://money.com/pr/gf481e2b9a99?ap_referrer=%2Ffree-internet-discount-acp-ending%2F) ## What to do if the ACP ends Here are your options for staying connected even if the ACP ends. ### Stay in contact with your ISP As the ACP winds down, you should be on the lookout for communications from your internet service provider. They are supposed to keep you informed about your discounts for the coming months and your options for internet access after the ACP formally ends. Some providers have other low-cost internet plans that they may be able to switch you over to. ### Know your rights Even though the program may soon be ending, internet providers are required to follow a handful of rules and regulations to make the transition as easy as possible for you. - **No cancellation fees:** The FCC says that providers are not allowed to charge any cancellation fees to ACP enrollees if they want to to end their internet plan before the contractual end date — even after the ACP expires. Similarly, during the wind-down process, you can’t be charged a fee to change plans to another provider or a new plan with the same company. - **They cannot shut off your internet immediately:** Internet providers aren't allowed to shut off your internet — or threaten to do so — if you can’t immediately make your first bill payment once the program ends. They can’t cut your internet access until 90 days have passed since your bill’s due date. - **Your provider must let you know how the end of the ACP will affect your bill:** As mentioned above, internet providers are legally required to send you at least three alerts about the ACP ending. They must clearly lay out the date of your last bill that includes the full ACP discount and let you know if you will receive any partial discount in May. - **File a complaint with the FCC:** If your provider isn’t honoring your rights under the ACP, the FCC has a [dedicated complaint process](https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov/hc/en-us/articles/4412582232980-Need-Help-with-an-Affordable-Connectivity-Program-ACP-complaint) to help you. If it’s a billing or service issue, the FCC forwards your complaint directly to your provider and they have 30 days to respond. ### Consider alternative programs Get familiar with your options to stay connected before the ACP runs out of money. - **Federal Lifeline internet benefits:** The ACP program is modeled after a longstanding internet subsidy called [Lifeline Support](https://www.lifelinesupport.org/). This program discounts internet and phone plans by $9.25 per month, or $34.25 for homes on tribal lands. To qualify, your income can’t exceed 135% of the federal poverty line (which is currently $19,683 for singles in most states). Alternatively, you can qualify if you receive SNAP, [Medicaid](https://money.com/lose-medicaid-coverage-health-insurance-options/), Supplemental Security Income or federal public housing benefits. - **Other affordable internet plans:** Several multi-state internet providers run low-cost programs. The nonprofit Everyone On has a [useful database](https://www.everyoneon.org/find-offers) that shows you your low-cost options based on your ZIP code. For instance, Xfinity (aka Comcast) has an [Internet Essentials](https://www.xfinity.com/learn/internet-service/internet-essentials) plan in several states for $9.95 per month if you receive many of the federal benefits that qualify you for ACP or Lifeline. AT&T has a [similar program](https://www.att.com/support/article/u-verse-high-speed-internet/KM1399655/) for $30 per month. - **Commonly discounted plans:** Several major companies, such as [Verizon](https://www.verizon.com/discounts/alt/?alloy_redirect=eyJ2IjoxLCJhZCI6IjU1MDQyNzoxOjB8MCw1NTA0Mjc6MTowfDIsNTUwNDI3OjE6MHwxLDU0OTM4ODoxOjB8Miw1NDkzODg6MTowfDEifQ%3D%3D), [AT&T](https://www.att.com/offers/discount-program/military-discount/) and [Spectrum](https://www.spectrum.com/choose-spectrum/military), provide discounts to military, nurses, teachers, first responders, students and other specific groups. If these discounts or benefits don't apply to you and you're struggling to afford your bill after the ACP expires, you may have luck [negotiating with your internet provider](https://money.com/how-to-negotiate-bills-in-recession/) for a cheaper price. ![](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/25289/medium_2e7b27ce-b30d-40a3-beef-0139ecba6b47.png) If you owe over $20,000 or more, Freedom Debt Relief can help you get back on your feet! 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