The month of April marks an important milestone for people receiving SNAP benefits in the United States, as an important program that directly benefited them will no longer be available. The reason: the initiative ran out of funds and will end operation in April 2024.
Since last February 7, the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) stopped receiving new applications, due to which it stopped receiving funds and will stop working from April 2024. The ACP was a government program that provided monthly discounts on broadband internet services and connection equipment for low-income households. The problem with the demise of this program is that it benefited many vulnerable populations, especially those on food stamps, known as SNAP benefits.
Food Stamps Beneficiaries to Lost One Important Discount
The relationship between the ACP program and SNAP benefits is in its beneficiary focus for low-income families. Until April 2024, it offered a discount on the monthly bill, expanding the right of internet access to as many people as possible, and closing the digital divide. While the program was active, qualifying households were provided with up to $30 per month toward internet service, and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands.
In particular cases, the ACP also gave up to $100 to eligible applicants (one-time allotment) to purchase a laptop, a desktop computer, or tablet, from participating providers if they contributed more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price.
The defenders of this program, which is unfortunately about to disappear, claim that there is a list of benefits for people, among which are the use of internet connectivity for online job search, resume creation and communication with potential employers, which increases the chances of finding a job.
In addition, the affordable internet makes it possible for low-income people to access telemedicine services, make online medical consultations and obtain information about health and well-being in general. What’s more, many government services are now offered online, from applying for benefits to filing taxes. The Internet connection helps SNAP beneficiaries to access these services more conveniently.
These and other advantages will now be more difficult for beneficiaries to take advantage of, widening the digital divide with the wealthiest people.
What’s Left for Food Stamps Beneficiaries?
The end of this program marks the end of a crucial period of affordable Internet access for low-income households. This decision implies that the last month of service fully funded by the program will be April 2024, directly impacting enrolled households until the registration deadline.
Those households that achieved their enrollment before the closing of the same will have the opportunity to stay within the program until its total closure, as long as they meet the permanency requirements established by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
However, there’s one more thing to consider: those households that decide to cancel their registration, either due to lack of use of the ACP-supported service or other reasons, will not be able to reapply or register again during the registration freeze period.
Given this scenario, we’ll remark that households currently enrolled in the ACP be attentive to the communications issued by their Internet service provider and the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), the entity in charge of managing the ACP.