Internet price hikes for some Americans could start soon as federal aid ends [Video]

WASHINGTON — The US government says that next month it can only pay about half of what low-income Americans are eligible for under a popular federal benefits program that is running out of money — a crisis that threatens to plunge millions of households into economic distress within weeks.

The announcement by the Federal Communications Commission reflects the first concrete impacts of Congress’ failure to extend the Affordable Connectivity Program, a pandemic-era benefit that provides monthly discounts on internet service to more than 23 million US households, including seniors, veterans and schoolchildren.

Due to lack of funds, April will be the final month the ACP can provide full benefits, the FCC said Tuesday. In May, the program will only have enough money to provide partial benefits before shutting down altogether. Next month, ACP subscribers can expect to receive only 46% of their usual benefit, the FCC said.

After that, program subscribers may have to pay hundreds of dollars more per year to stay online, …