Affordable Connectivity Program

The Federal Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) Program was temporary in nature and provided a discount on your internet service for a limited period of time. The Federal government has announced that the EBB Program will end on December 30, 2021 and will be replaced with the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) on December 31, 2021.

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a new long-term, $14 billion program, which modifies and extends the existing Emergency Broadband Benefit Program beginning December 31, 2021 and will help low-income households pay for broadband service.

The FCC has provided a 60-day transition period, beginning on December 31, 2021, and ending on February 28, 2022 (the "EBB Transition Period"), for households currently enrolled in the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) program. During the EBB Transition Period you will continue to receive the EBB program discount.

Beginning in March 2022, your account will automatically transition to the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) if you continue to meet the eligibility requirements established by the FCC. No action is required by you to transition to the ACP at this time. If any changes or information is required by you for ACP, we will contact you directly with information.

Households have new ways to qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program such as receiving WIC benefits or having an income at or below 200% (previously 135%) of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Households that qualified for the Emergency Broadband Benefit due to a substantial loss of income due to job loss or furlough since February 29, 2020 due to Covid-19 will need to requalify for the Affordable Connectivity Program. Please visit GetEmergencyBroadband.org for more information on if you qualify.

The Affordable Connectivity Program discount for non-Tribal areas is a maximum of $30, reduced from a maximum discount of $50 for the Emergency Broadband Benefit program. The monthly benefit will remain at up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands.

Yes, you may change your internet service plan at any time in order to take advantage of any speed changes you need or to account for any changes to the discount amounts that may affect your household due to the Affordable Connectivity Program.

Accounts that are eligible for the program and already signed up through ValuNet FIBER for EBB will receive their appropriate credit of up to $30 (or up to $75/per month on Tribal lands) beginning with their March billing cycle. Prior to March, you EBB discount will continue to be applied.

Accounts that have not participated in EBB and are eligible for the ACP program and signed up through ValuNet FIBER will receive their appropriate credit of up to $30 (or up to $75/per month on Tribal lands) beginning with their next billing cycle.

Your credit will be based on the base rate for the internet service you sign up for, excluding taxes, fees, and surcharges, up to a maximum of $30 per month (or up to $75 on Tribal lands).

No. This benefit is only applicable to current monthly service costs.

No, the discount applied will be limited to your actual charges for internet service, up to a maximum of $30 (or up to $75 on Tribal lands).

Every year, USAC or your internet company will check to confirm you still qualify for the benefit. This process is called recertification. If you are required to respond to a recertification notice and do not timely respond, you will lose your ACP benefit and your ACP internet service may be terminated or your bill may increase. Click the link below to learn more.

affordableconnectivity.gov/manage-my-benefit/recertify/