Hundreds of thousands of Alabamians could lose their ability to afford internet if the Federal Communication Commission does not renew the Affordable Connectivity Program.

The ACP is an FCC benefit program that was established in 2021 to provide households with discounts to the broadband they need for work, school, health care and more.

Congress made $14.2 billion available for the program and offered $30 a month to qualified low-income households who are at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines to go toward internet service and $75 for households on qualifying tribal lands. This also provided a one-time discount of $100 to purchase a desktop computer, tablet or laptop.

Eligibility extended to households where a member participates in specific assistance programs like SNAP, Medicaid or public housing programs. Other qualifying criteria include participation in free or reduced-price school meal programs, receiving a Federal Pell Grant, participation in tribal-specific programs or meeting eligibility criteria for low-income internet programs offered by participating providers.

These funds are expected to run out in April.

The FCC announced at the beginning of March that the last fully funded month of this program is April due to lack of additional funding from Congress. Households that are currently enrolled during the time of the freeze will continue to receive discounted internet, but no new applications or renewals are excepted.

In the United States, over 23 million households are enrolled in the program, including 412,246 Alabamians.

Riviera Utilities Communications Coordinator Lily Jackson said their customers who are enrolled in this program have been notified of the expiration of the program.

“Riviera Utilities has been following FCC guidelines in notifying impacted customers about the end of the ACP in an effort to give our customers as much time as possible to prepare for the change,” she said. “It is sad that they (the FCC) are not renewing, but we have done whatever we can to prepare our customers who will be losing that discount and working with them as we can.”

Jason James, Alabama legislative political coordinator for Communications Workers of America, said the expiration of the program will also impact internet service providers.

“Of the 412,246 Alabama households that were enrolled at the time of the freeze in February, if they are unable to afford the new cost and end up canceling their service it could have up to a $12.3 million per month impact on the ISPs,” James said. “That is a lot of folks who have benefited from this program.”

According to the Affordable Connectivity Program website, those who qualified for the ACP may be eligible for another FCC program called Lifeline.

This gives a $9.25 discount for phone, internet or bundled services or up to a $34.25 discount if they live on qualifying Tribal lands.