In May 2024, 23 million American households lost a vital lifeline to the digital world when the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) exhausted its $14.2 billion in federal funding. This abrupt end to a program that provided $30-75 monthly internet subsidies has created rippling effects across communities nationwide, threatening to widen an already devastating digital divide.
For millions of families, the ACP transformed internet access from a luxury into a necessity they could finally afford. According to the Benton Institute, 68% of recipients had inconsistent connectivity or none at all before the ACP. Because of the Affordable Connectivity Program, students completed homework assignments without searching for public WiFi spots. Seniors scheduled telehealth appointments from their homes. Parents applied for jobs and managed household finances online.
At Human-I-T, we’ve witnessed firsthand how reliable internet access revolutionizes lives through our work transforming e-waste into digital opportunities. Every day, we help individuals and families navigate the complex landscape of digital inclusion through low-cost devices, internet access, digital literacy training, and technical support.
The end of the ACP has threatened the very foundation of digital equity that transforms discarded devices into opportunities for underserved communities.
Table of Contents
- The Impact of the End of the Affordable Connectivity Program
- Individuals’ Stories of Losing the ACP
- Human-I-T Offers Affordable Internet for Low-Income Families
- Get One-on-One Help Finding Cheap Internet in Your Area
The Impact of the End of the Affordable Connectivity Program
The ACP’s reach extended far beyond simple internet bills, touching one in every six American households according to Pew Research.
The program’s impact resonated deeply within historically underserved communities. According to Prism Reports, Black and Latino households each represented 25% of all ACP recipients. According to the Benton Institute, Americans with disabilities enrolled in the ACP at significantly higher rates – 36% compared to 22% for all other respondents.
Military families emerged as one of the Affordable Connectivity Program’s largest beneficiary groups. CNET reports that nearly half of all ACP subscribers came from military households. In rural communities, participation matched urban enrollment rates at 27%.
The program particularly helped our most economically vulnerable neighbors find stability. One-third of households earning less than $20,000 annually relied on these subsidies. Many used the savings to establish their first reliable home internet connection. The Benton Institute further reports that 18% of low-income households earning under $20,000 plan to completely disconnect their service. Additionally, an article from Pew Charitable Trusts states that rural residents confront unique challenges as internet infrastructure costs drive up monthly bills. In these communities, the ACP reduced providers’ break-even costs by 25%, making service viable in less populated areas.
Americans with disabilities report devastating impacts on their independence. Thirty-six percent of disabled individuals utilized the program for essential services, compared to just 22% of the general population. Many relied on connections for specialized healthcare services and remote assistance technologies.
And seniors? Seniors, many who discovered vital digital connections during the pandemic, now risk isolation. Beyond healthcare access, many older Americans depended on internet service to file taxes, stay informed, and maintain family connections.
Students are particularly hit hard by the impact of the ACP’s end. The impact on education reaches across generations. Students lose access to homework resources and research tools, and parents struggle to monitor academic progress, creating even more barriers to students’ long-term academic success.
These compounded challenges reveal a troubling pattern: the ACP’s end most severely impacts those who already faced significant barriers to digital inclusion. As costs rise beyond reach for vulnerable populations, the pressing need for sustainable solutions is clear.
Individuals’ Stories of Losing the ACP
The numbers tell a sobering story of Americans forced to reshape their digital lives. According to the Benton Institute, recent surveys reveal 13% of former ACP recipients – approximately 3 million households – have already canceled their internet service. Major providers like Spectrum have reported substantial customer losses, with 154,000 subscribers disconnecting in a single quarter.
As bills now surge $30-75 higher each month, families face impossible choices between maintaining vital internet connections and other essential needs. For Kathleen Wain, a grandmother raising two teenagers in North Carolina, the program’s end forces painful trade-offs between groceries, travel, and keeping her high school senior connected for AP courses.
“I consider the internet like my best friend,” shares Phyllis Jackson, a retired administrative assistant who now cuts back on electricity and groceries to maintain her connection.
Another 8.3 million households face difficult decisions about downgrading to slower, cheaper plans. Wisconsin caregiver Serena Salisbury embodies this struggle: “I’ve had to go to cheaper household items, cheaper detergents. And my electric bill – I had to find a different way of paying just to keep my internet.”
Human-I-T Offers Affordable Internet for Low-Income Families
As former ACP recipients search for alternatives, the need for holistic digital inclusion solutions grows more urgent. No single program can replace the ACP’s broad impact, but accessing a combination of available resources can help maintain vital digital connections.
Human-I-T offers internet for low-income families at just $14.99 per month. While monthly internet costs present one barrier, true digital inclusion requires a more comprehensive approach. Human-I-T’s low-cost devices put new and refurbished computers and tablets within reach of families in need. Each device undergoes professional testing and updating to ensure reliable performance.
Our free digital literacy training through Cisco empowers users to maximize their internet access. Experienced instructors guide participants through essential skills like email management, online safety, and productivity software. And free bilingual technical support ensures users can confidently navigate common challenges.
