23 million U.S. households now rely on the program's subsidies for their online access
Since Dec. 31, 2021, internet access has been more affordable for many seniors and low-income families across the country. That's because of the Affordable Connectivity Program, a federal program allowing families in need of internet access to get it with a $30 monthly discount. In today’s economy, that's enough extra cash for people to partly fill up their gas tank, get more groceries, buy a public bus pass or get a haircut.
It enabled shut-in seniors to have access to telemedicine and online grocery shopping and provided some students, for the first time ever, access to online learning. But this will change in coming weeks when funding runs out. Families who need it most will suddenly get shut out. How do we expect them to suddenly scrape the funds together to keep the connectivity going or in some cases force them to learn to live without it? Now Rep.
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