Click Clayton
For Immediate Release
January 22, 2024
NEWS RELEASE
FCC Expects the Affordable Connectivity Program to End in April 2024
(Clayton County, GA) – The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced on Thurs., Jan. 11, 2024, that unless the United States Congress appropriates additional funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) soon, it expects the program to end this Spring (April 2024) and is taking steps to “wind down” the program. The ACP provides a $30/month discount on home internet or cell phone service, and a one-time $100 discount towards the purchase of a personal computer, laptop or tablet for low-income households.
In 2021, Congress established the Affordable Connectivity Program in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and appropriated $14.2 billion for the program. The FCC was tasked with developing and implementing the ACP as well as ACP outreach and awareness activities. As of today, over 22 million households (approximately 7.8k Clayton County households) are enrolled and receiving the ACP monthly benefit. The anticipated date of April 2024 is an FCC estimate and may change.
As a result, the FCC has begun taking steps to wind down the ACP, which means:
No new ACP enrollments will be accepted after Feb. 7, 2024, at 11:59 PM ET.
Households that enrolled with an ACP internet company before Feb. 7, 2024, at 11:59 PM ET will continue to receive their ACP benefit until ACP funds run out as long as the household remains enrolled and eligible for the benefit. When ACP funds run out, households participating in the ACP will no longer receive the ACP discounts.
ACP eligibility is based on income or participation in a government assistance program. All eligible Clayton County households are encouraged to visit the Office of Digital Equity’s website to verify eligibility and apply, if qualified, no later than Wed., Feb. 7, 2024, at 11:59 PM ET.
“In the coming weeks leading up to the application deadline, our office is available to answer any questions about the program, or to assist Clayton County residents with completing and submitting the ACP application,” said Digital Equity Administrator, Takiyah Thomas. “Please also note that the Federal Poverty Guidelines increased in 2023, resulting in more households becoming eligible to apply. If you did not qualify in 2022, you may be eligible to apply now.”
The next Office of Digital Equity ACP sign-up events will be held Wed., Jan. 31, 2024 and Wed., Feb. 7, 2024 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Technology Services and Training Center, 9181 Poston Rd., Jonesboro, GA 30238 for any residents needing assistance with the application process. Please bring the required documentation: valid identification, proof of income, and/or proof of participation in a government assistance program.
To verify eligibility for the Affordable Connectivity Program and to apply, access http://tinyurl.com/ClaytonACP. For ACP questions or assistance, email the Clayton County Office of Digital equity at digital.equity@claytoncountyga.gov.
Media representatives should contact the Office of Communications, Communications Administrator, Valerie L. Fuller at 770.473.3834 or submit a media inquiry form to the team by accessing: https://claytoncountyforms.claytoncountyga.gov/news-media-request/.
#Access4Clayton #ClaytonConnected #AffordableConnectivityProgram
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