Federal internet aid trimmed but EPB, Comcast offering lower rates
Federal assistance for many low-income households to pay for internet service will drop by $20 a month in March, although households will have new ways to qualify for the new Affordable Connectivity Program to get help paying for online service.
Congress created the Affordable Connectivity Program, a new longterm, $14 billion program, to replace the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program, which expired at the end of 2021. Households enrolled in the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program at the end of last year continue to receive their current monthly benefit of $50 during a 60-day transition period. But starting next Tuesday, the $50 federal payment for low-income households to pay for internet service will drop to only $30 a month, outside of tribal areas.
Households that qualified for the Emergency Broadband Benefit due to a substantial loss of income as a result of a job loss or furlough since February 29, 2020, will need to re-qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program, according to the Federal Communications Commission. Most Emergency Broadband Benefit households will not have to take any action to continue receiving the new $30 monthly benefit after the transition period ends on March 1.
In an announcement Thursday, Comcast said it is offering free and discounted internet options for Chattanoogans through both the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and the company’s own broadband adoption program, Internet Essentials. Comcast is making the Affordable Connectivity Program credits available for all the company’s Xfinity Internet speed tiers, including its lowcost broadband service known as Internet Essentials available to all elementary, secondary and college students enrolled in public assistance and housing assistance programs. Since its launch in 2011, Internet Essentials has connected a cumulative total of 10 million Americans to the Internet at home — including more than 500,000 in Tennessee.
“As the world becomes more digital, it is crucial that everyone has the resources and opportunities they need to excel in today’s economy,” said Comcast Regional Senior Vice President Jason Gumbs. “We’re making it simple for both new and existing customers to use ACP credits toward Xfinity Internet services and encourage Chattanooga area residents to call us or go online at www.xfinity. com/free.”
At EPB Fiber Optics, utility spokesman J. Ed. Marston said EPB provides free internet service for many households through the HCS Connect program which provides free EPB high-speed internet service for any households with students on free or reduced lunches in Hamilton County. For those low-income households without a school-age child in Hamilton County schools, EPB will offer the Affordable Connectivity Program.
More information about the Affordable Connectivity Program is available online at