Millions of Latinos likely to struggle with internet payments as subsidy program runs out of money

A government program granting subsidies for internet payments is set to run out of money in May, an official from the Biden administration warned.

Tom Perez, Senior Advisor and Assistant to the President and Director of the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, said that the end of the program will impact 23 million people, a quarter of which are Latinos.

Moreover, half of all beneficiaries are veterans and other military members, all getting between $30 and $75 a month to pay for internet services.

The White House last year asked for an additional $6 billion to extend the program through December, but didn't get the funds from Congress. The program had began in 2021 but had limited funds since the onset.

According to La Opinión, Perez said many beneficiaries requested an exemption, saying they will have to cut down on essentials such as food or medicine, as they can't stop paying for internet.

"There are so many Latinos who have their small businesses at home, this program is important for them," Perez added. "All families received a letter two months ago explaining the situation and saying we need more funds to continue" but that hasn't happened.

Perez said that House Speaker Mike Johnson is preventing the project of additional funds from moving forward despite having broad support from Democrats and even 20 Republicans, a figure that would be enough to pass additional funds and send it to the Senate, where it would also have support sufficient to pass.