CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. — There is just one week left to sign up for a discount on your home internet or cellphone service in Clayton County.
If you're a Clayton County resident who's part of a government assistance program, such as SNAP, or if you have a child on free lunch or a college student receiving a Pell Grant, you may qualify for $30 off your home internet or cell phone service.
Takiyah Thomas is the Clayton County Digital Equity Administer. She said the funds are in danger of running out.
"There are 22 million households in this country that benefit from this program," Thomas said. "If it goes away, those 22 million people may have to decide, 'Am I going to pay my internet bill or am I going to buy groceries?'"
She said 13,000 of those 22 million are in Clayton County. Everybody needs the internet, but everybody can't afford it. You're talking an extra $40 to $80 a month. That's why the Digital Equity office has been trying to help residents sign up for their Affordable Connectivity Program before it's too late.
"It may run out soon if Congress does not appropriate more funding for this program," Thomas said.
Thomas said if the department doesn't get the money, it'll have to shut down the program on Feb. 7. Eligible residents will still have three months left to use their discount.
"I have actually been getting calls because everyone is getting their letters from the service providers that the program is going to end," Thomas said.
Ernestine Rogers-Lightford was on the other end of one of those calls.
"It's life-changing," Lightford said. "Now, in today's society, everything really works with the computer. Without the computer, it wouldn't be convenient."
Lightford said her family depends on reliable Wi-Fi for things like telehealth appointments.
"Instead of traveling to the doctor's office, it was more convenient to actually be in our home to actually talk with the doctor one-on-one," she said.
Without the federal funds, her bill will shoot up again in April.
Thomas said her office has been reaching out to senators to fight to keep the program going for people like Lightford and the 38,000 others who qualify but haven't taken advantage of the program.
"I would like for this program to continue because it's very helpful for us because we are on a fixed income," Lightford said. "And so, every little bit helps."
Click here to see if you're eligible.