The Federal Communications Commission has announced the Emergency Broadband Benefit to help families struggling to afford internet service because of COVID-19. The Emergency Broadband Benefit will provide a discount of up to $50 for broadband service for eligible households and $75 per month on qualifying Tribal Lands. Eligible household can also get a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer or tablet if they contribute between $10 and $50 toward the purchase price.
A household is eligible if a member of the household meets one of these criteria:
- Has an income that is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or participates in certain assistance programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid, or Lifeline;
- Approved to receive benefits under the free and reduced-price school lunch program or the school breakfast program;
- Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year;
- Experienced a substantial loss of income due to job loss or furlough because of COVID-19, and the household had a total income in 2020 at or below $99,000 for single tax filers and $198,000 for joint tax filers; or
- Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider’s existing low-income or COVID-19 program.
The providers participating in the program are listed here.
Eligible providers can enroll on the program here. (https://www.fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit, May 7, 2021.)