The ACP 'Saved My Life': The Human Cost of Losing the Affordable Connectivity Program, One Year Later

"The ACP program really saved my life," said Dorothy Burrell, a 55-year-old from Kansas City. Burrell was one of the 23 million Americans enrolled in the Affordable Connectivity Program, a pandemic-era fund that helped low-income households pay for internet access. These days, Burrell teaches computer skills at the digital advocacy nonprofit Essential Families, but when day-to-day life went online during the pandemic, she suddenly found herself stranded without an internet connection. Locating local internet providers “Because I have lupus, it was hard for me,” Burrell said. “My pastor had to come and put the food outside for me when I couldn't even video her, to talk to her, to let her know, or keep in touch with my family and loved ones.” Former ACP enrollees have had to make a number of compromises to keep their internet on since it ended a year ago. A January survey from the National Lifeline Association found that nearly 40% of people enrolled in the program said they had to ... Read full article.