Thousands of North Carolina Residents Could Lose Broadband Assistance
The Affordable Connectivity Program provided broadband assistance to hundreds of thousands of NC residents. Without additional assistance, this program could be lost.
Just like SNAP, Medicaid, Medicare, and more, various assistance programs help residents in multiple states. One of those many pieces of assistance is high-speed internet assistance. The North Carolina Division of Information Technology (NCDIT) released a statement regarding the Affordable Connectivity Program. This program allows eligible residents to receive a $30 monthly benefit for services. For those residing on “tribal” land, the benefit increases up to $75 per month. I was shocked to see so many other benefits offered through this program. It includes up to a $100 benefit towards a laptop. Everyone deserves to stay connected and this provides a way for those who are unable to afford it.
Today is #SaferInternetDay and we encourage you to check out these #tips for parents and caregivers to help provide a safe internet environment for children: https://t.co/WjpUW0vSOl pic.twitter.com/na5GvPGiTJ
— NCDIT (@NCDIT) February 6, 2024
For those who are enrolled, the possible funding end date is in April of this year. This means if funding is not secured prior to, this benefit will indeed run out. Last month, President Biden made a trip to North Carolina, met with Governor Cooper, and families in the state. According to The White House, the Biden-Harris administration plans to allegedly invest about $3 billion in North Carolina helping to reduce internet costs for eligible families.