{"id":31514,"date":"2024-04-17T15:20:55","date_gmt":"2024-04-17T15:20:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/federaltimes\/uncategorized\/2024\/04\/17\/internet-subsidy-used-by-millions-of-vets-troops-set-to-expire-in-may\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T15:48:44","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T15:48:44","slug":"internet-subsidy-used-by-millions-of-vets-troops-set-to-expire-in-may","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/federaltimes\/fedlife\/2024\/04\/17\/internet-subsidy-used-by-millions-of-vets-troops-set-to-expire-in-may\/","title":{"rendered":"Internet subsidy used by millions of vets, troops set to expire in May"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Government leaders are warning that a federal subsidy helping millions of veterans and military families<\/a> pay for internet access will end in the next few weeks unless Congress extends the program before the start of May.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Affordable Connectivity Program<\/a> currently provides between $30 and $75 a month to cover internet bills of more than 23 million households across the country, about half of whom are veterans and service members. For some participants, that\u2019s enough to cover the full cost of high-speed internet access at their homes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The program was launched at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic<\/a> as a way to help homebound individuals stay connected despite quarantine restrictions. Lawmakers have already approved more than $17 billion for the effort over the last four years, but that money runs out next month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The FCC began sending warnings to participants about the end of the program earlier this year. On Tuesday, leaders from the Federal Communications Commission and Department of Veterans Affairs<\/a> stumped for the continuation of the initiative, calling it a critical resource for many families.<\/p>\n\n\n\t