Unlike in the past, internet connectivity isn’t a luxury — it’s as necessary as electricity. But currently, this critical lifeline for veterans hangs in the balance as the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) approaches the end of its funding this month.

Since 2022, the ACP has provided vital financial assistance to eligible Americans nationwide and has been particularly beneficial for veterans and their families with service-connected disabilities. The $14.2 billion program enacted under the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act replaced the Emergency Broadband Benefit program authorized under COVID relief legislation. Both programs were designed to ensure that households could afford broadband by offering monthly subsidies of $30 to $75 for eligible families that need access for work, school, health care and more.

To ensure that our veterans can continue to access the support they need to thrive, lawmakers must work together to pass legislation preserving the ACP. Without this assistance, 23 million people, including many veterans in tribal and rural areas, could lose access to essential services. And the consequences can be dire.

Full Article – https://thehill.com/opinion/4682563-veterans-connectivity-crisis-renewing-internet-program-is-critical-for-health-livelihoods/