The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) began accepting
applications for the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program on May 12, 2021. The program provides a temporary discount on
monthly internet bills for qualifying households during the pandemic.
Those eligible can receive: up to a $50 per month discount
on broadband services and associated equipment rentals; up to $75 per month
discount if the household is on qualifying tribal lands; or a one-time discount
of up to $100 for a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer (with a co-payment of
more than $10 but less than $50). Only
one service discount and one device discount per household.
A household must meet one of the following:
·
Household income at or below 135% of the federal
poverty guidelines;
·
Qualifies for Lifeline benefits through
participation in SNAP, Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income, Federal Public
Housing Assistance, or Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit;
·
Participates in one of several Tribal specific
programs: Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Tribal Head Start
(meeting the relevant income qualifying standard), Tribal Temporary Assistance
for Needy Families (Tribal TANF), Food Distribution Program on Indian
Reservations;
·
Experienced a substantial loss of income since
February 29, 2020, with a total household income in 2020 at or below $99,000
for single filers and $198,000 for joint filers;
·
Received a federal Pell Grant in the current
award year;
·
Received approval for benefits under the free
and reduced-price school lunch program or the school breakfast program,
including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision, in the 2019-2020 or
2020-2021 school year; or
·
Meets the eligibility criteria for participating
provider’s existing low-income or COVID-19 program, and that provider received
FCC approval for its eligibility verification process.
The FCC accepts online applications and mail-in
applications. Applicants should ask
their internet provider if they participate in the EBB Program or use the
online tool to find a participating company near them.
For more information, to see if you qualify, or to apply,
visit getemergencybroadband.org.
The program is slated to end when the funds are exhausted or
six months after the Department of Health and Human Services declares an end to
the COPVID-19 health emergency, whichever is sooner.