End of federal program could cut internet to 186,000 Connecticut homes

The Affordable Connectivity Program is set to wind down by the end of May, leaving millions of Americans and thousands of Connecticut households without internet access, according to reporting by Lisa Hagen at CT Mirror.  Around 186,000 households in the state were using the program in April, roughly one in eight households.

The program provided from $30 to $75 per month depending upon circumstances for families to cover the cost of internet access. Those who qualified for other state assistance or subsidies and made up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level were able to put the funds towards bills from participating providers, and also included a one-time $100 discount towards a tablet or computer.

In May, the available funding levels were slashed ahead of the program’s end, dropping to $14 to $35 and the one time discount was reduced to $47.

The program was initially authorized by federal legislation in 2021 to aid access to vital resources via the internet during the pandemic.