The rising cost of living and the reliance on internet connections during the COVID-19 pandemic led to the creation of the Affordable Connectivity Program back in 2021. This program provided a $30 monthly subsidy for internet service from a participating ISP and a one-time $100 credit towards the purchase of a computer, tablet, or phone. Although the plan was primarily aimed at providing home internet, the subsidy could even apply to many cellphone plans as well.
Unfortunately, as the program was not intended as a long-term solution, its funding has since run dry and stopped taking members, though the FCC agreed to foot the bill through May of 2024 to give the program time to find new funding if possible. Keep in mind this was only a partial funding, so the majority of those who signed up saw their discounts jump down from $30 a month to just $14.