The Wake County Board of Commissioners wants to remind residents that the last day to enroll in the federal government’s Affordable Connectivity Program is Wednesday, Feb. 7. The ACP provides households who meet income-related criteria with discounts on internet service and qualifying devices like laptops or tablets.

Congress established the ACP in 2021 in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, appropriating $14.2 billion. As of January 2024, more than 22 million households across the U.S. are enrolled and receiving the ACP monthly benefit. Without additional funding from Congress, the ACP is projected to run out of money in April.

“Reliable, affordable high-speed internet access is vital for our residents to work, take classes and pay their bills,” said Chair Shinica Thomas of the Wake County Board of Commissioners. “We encourage anyone who is interested in applying for the ACP but has not done it yet to enroll now.”

Eligible households should complete an application at GetInternet.gov as soon as possible to allow time to process their application. Once the application is qualified, they must sign up with an internet company by Feb. 7 at 11:59 p.m. ET to start receiving their benefit.

Households that are enrolled in ACP will continue to receive monthly discounted internet service through the end of the program. During the ACP wind-down period, qualifying households will receive notices from their internet company about the impact that the program’s end will have on their bills.

For more information, visit GetInternet.gov or call 877-384-2575.