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1 [1] (May 13, 2025)

handle is hein.crs/endoteaf0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Co gressional Research Service Informin g the legislative debate sirnce 1914 S Updated May 13, 2025 The End of the Affordable Connectivity Program: Options for Consumers and Congress The Federal Communications Commission's (FCC's) Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) was established in 2021 by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (P.L. 117-58) during the COVID-19 pandemic. The program, which was funded with a one-time appropriation of $14.2 billion, provided a subsidy to households with income at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines for monthly internet access: $30 per household or $75 per household on tribal lands. The ACP also provided a one-time subsidy of up to $100 toward the purchase of a connected device (e.g., mobile phone, laptop). Efforts to provide additional ACP funding in the 118th Congress were unsuccessful (S.Amdt. 2024 to H.R. 3935, H.R. 6929, and S. 3565). The ACP ended on June 1, 2024. At one time, over 23 million households received ACP support. No single alternative exists that would fully replace ACP. Some consumers may qualify for assistance to pay for internet access through other existing programs, including the Lifeline Program, various Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) programs, and discounted plans from internet providers. Consumers may be eligible for more than one of these programs (e.g., a veteran might be eligible to participate in Lifeline and VA programs, plus subscribe to a discounted service from an internet provider). FCC Lifeline Program The FCC's Lifeline Program subsidizes the cost of home broadband and phone service for low-income consumers. While the goals of the ACP overlapped with those of the Lifeline Program, Lifeline is funded through the Universal Service Fund (USF), not appropriations. The USF is supported by contributions from telecommunications carriers, and such costs are commonly passed on to consumers. USF funds cannot be transferred and used for non-USF programs. The 2025 funding year budget for the Lifeline Program is $2.9 billion. Lifeline Support for Low-income Consumers Households that earn 135% or less than the federal poverty guidelines may qualify for the Lifeline Program. The Lifeline subsidy is $9.25 per month for home internet or mobile phone plans-well below the subsidy that was offered by the ACP. Additionally, participants in the following federal programs qualify for Lifeline: Medicaid Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Federal Public Housing Assistance, and certain tribal programs. Further, residents of federally recognized tribal lands are eligible for an additional $25 subsidy (Table 1). Lifeline Support Through a Child or Dependent An adult can qualify for a Lifeline subsidy if she or he has a child or dependent eligible for the program and the household income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines (Table 2). Table I. Lifeline Eligibility Maximum Annual Household Income, 2025 Contiguous States, DC, Household and Size Territories AK HI 1 $21,128 $26,393 $24,287 2 $28,553 $35,681 $32,832 3 $35,978 $44,969 $41,378 4 $43,403 $54,257 $49,923 5 $50,828 $63,545 $58,469 6 $58,253 $72,833 $67,041 7 $65,678 $82,121 $75,560 8 $73,103 $91,409 $84,105 Each Add'l $7,425 $9,288 $8,546 Source: Universal Service Administrative Company, Do I Qualify?, https://www.lifelinesupport.org/do-i-qualify. Note: These limits are 1 35% or less than the federal poverty guidelines. Table 2. Lifeline Eligibility Child/Dependent or Safe Connection Act, Maximum Annual Household Income, 2025 Contiguous States, DC, Household and Size Territories AK HI 1 $31,300 $39,100 $35,980 2 $42,300 $52,860 $48,640 3 $53,300 $66,620 $61,300 4 $64,300 $80,380 $73,960 5 $75,300 $94,140 $86,620 6 $86,300 $107,900 $99,280 7 $97,300 $121,660 $111,940 8 $108,300 $135,420 $124,600 Each Add'l $11,000 $13,760 $12,660 Source: Universal Service Administrative Company, Safe Connections Act, April 2025, https://www.usac.org/wp-content/ uploads/lifeline/documents/pdf/2025-Federal-Poverty-Guidelines-for- Survivors-Applying-to-Lifeline.pdf. Note: These limits are 200% or less than the federal poverty guidelines. Lifeline Support for Survivors of Domestic Violence, Human Trafficking, and Related Crimes The Safe Connections Act of 2022 (SCA; P.L. 117-223) helps survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, ttps://crsreports.congress.gov

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