Beginning today, the Federal Communication Commission’s Emergency Broadband Benefit will make available to consumers substantial discounts on broadband service and computers.
This pandemic-related program will continue until the $3.2 billion in federal funding runs out or six months after the Department of Health and Human Services declares an end to the pandemic.
�How does the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program work?
Eligible households can receive discounts off monthly broadband service:
- Up to $50 per month for eligible households
- Up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands.
- One-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price.
Please Note: This will be applied directly to the consumers� monthly bill. There is a limit of one monthly service discount and one device discount per household.
Eligibility – if one person in the household:
- Demonstrates low income, at or below 135% of the?Federal Poverty level;
- Participates in assistance programs including SNAP, Medicaid, or Lifeline;
- Relies on free and reduced-price school meals;
- Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year;
- Suffered a large loss in income during the pandemic due to job loss or furlough since February 29, 2020, and the household had a total income in 2020 at or below $99,000 for single filers and $198,000 for joint filers;
- Meets other eligibility criteria for a participating provider’s existing low-income or COVID-19 program.
Providers Near You: Over�825 broadband providers�are taking part in the program.� The benefit is available to eligible new, prior, and existing customers of participating providers.
How to sign up:�
- Contact a participating provider to sign up;
- Enroll online at www.getemergencybroadband.org; or
- Sign up via mail. To receive a mail-in application, call (833) 511-0311.
This is a temporary program. �When it ends, participating providers must give notice to customers and inform them of the cost for their plan after the discount ends.� Importantly, consumers will need to opt-in�to continue with the service.
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