Exhaustion of funds for Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) benefits

The Federal Communications Commission’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) has been very successful. Currently, some 22 million households in the United States receive some of its benefits, such as a discount on their monthly Internet bill and a one-time discount on the purchase of a tablet. While the Nos Conectamos project arose out of the need to raise awareness and increase enrollment in the ACP program, the U.S. Congress has not yet approved funding to allow the program to continue and therefore enrollment into the program closed on February 8, 2024 and, unless Congress acts in time, in April or May of 2024, benefits will end for all households currently enrolled.

Although households are no longer able to apply for the benefit, it is important to remember that there is still a possibility that Congress approves the Affordable Connectivity Extension Act of 2024, thus ensuring continued funding for the program. In the meantime, please share the following information with members of your community, and especially with all those who are receiving benefits:

• The beneficiaries of the Affordable Connectivity Program must receive notification from their provider, informing them of these four points:
  • The program will end
  • The impact on your monthly bill
  • The date of the last bill where you will receive the benefits
  • You can change or cancel your service when the program comes to an end
• Beneficiaries should keep an eye on their email and postal mail so they do not miss this notice.
• Beneficiaries should schedule on their calendar the date to take action in case they want to change or cancel their service when the benefit ends.
• We hope that Congress will approve the funds necessary for the continuation of the program before the previous year’s budget funds are exhausted, but it is also possible that Congress will approve the funds later and benefits may be available again.