Please see below for information on the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program, which gives low-income households a discount on internet services. The program, administered by the Federal Communications Commission, opens for enrollment on May 12, 2021, meaning consumers can begin applying for and enrolling in the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program at that time.

Households may receive a discount of up to $50 a month for their internet bill. That rises to $75 a month for broadband service on tribal lands. Households may also receive $100 to buy a laptop, desktop or tablet through their internet provider.

The program will end 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 health emergency, whichever is sooner.  Only one monthly service discount and one device discount is allowed per household.

A household is eligible if a member of the household meets one of the criteria below:

• 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.

Households may apply for the Emergency Broadband Benefit either through their participating broadband provider or directly with the Universal Service Administrative Company at https://getemergencybroadband.org.

Various broadband providers, including those offering landline and wireless broadband, are participating in the Emergency Broadband Benefit.  That list will be updated as more providers join the program, so check the above links often.

More info, along with FAQ’s at this site-https://www.ncbroadband.gov/assistance/emergency-broadband-benefit-program. Attached are flyers with information on the Emergency Broadband Benefit program.

Thank you.

Meenal Khajuria, MA, MSW
Cardinal Innovations Healthcare
Community Engagement Specialist
Phone: 336.528.0578
Email: Meenal.Khajuria@cardinalinnovations.org
https://www.cardinalinnovations.org/