There’s a new, limited time, Program out there to help families struggling with the costs of internet service with the Broadband Benefit Program from the FCC. Those who qualify could receive a discount of up to $50 per month (up to $75 per month for those eligible living on Native American Tribal lands). Plus, those who qualify can also get $100 discount towards a purchase of a laptop, desktop computer or tablet.

Who can qualify…

If someone in your households meets one of the criteria below, then you may be eligible. (From the FCC website)

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, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision in the 2019-2020 or 2020-2021 school year;

Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year;

Experienced a substantial loss of income 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; or

Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider’s existing low-income or COVID-19 program.

If I qualify, then what?

Be prepared with the necessary paperwork to show proof. Click here to find out what documentation will be necessary. Apply for the fund in one of three ways. (From the FCC website)

Contact your preferred participating broadband provider directly to learn about their application process. Click here to find out local companies that participate.

Go to GetEmergencyBroadband.org to apply online and to find participating providers near you.

Call 833-511-0311 for a mail-in application, and return it along with copies of documents showing proof of eligibility to:

Emergency Broadband Support Center
P.O. Box 7081
London, KY 40742

Filing through the website might be the quickest way. They may be experiencing high demand.

The $100 discount for hardware must be from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 towards the purchase price. Both the monthly service discount and the device discount is one per household.

The Internet Broadband Benefit Program ends when the fund runs out of money or six months after the Department of Health and Human Services declares an end to the Covid-19 pandemic, whichever comes first.

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Post expires at 10:38am on Sunday October 17th, 2021

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