EXCERPT: “To Becca Arens, who lives off of Social Security benefits in Willmar, a federal program that subsidizes the cost of internet service or cell service has been a lifesaver. ‘If I did not have that $30 off my internet, I would be hurting,’ said Arens, 51. Without the subsidy, Arens said her monthly internet bill would be more than $70, which is beyond what she can afford to pay with her disability benefits. More than 238,000 low-income Minnesotans like Arens need the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) to close the digital divide. But they may soon lose that help. So may 2.5 million others across the country. The Federal Communications Commission, the agency that runs the pandemic-era program, warned last week that the $14.2 billion Congress appropriated for the program will run out in April. The agency said it has begun to wind down the program and will stop accepting new applications and enrollments on Feb. 7.” FULL STORY: https://fluence-media.co/425QZu8
