Emergency Broadband Benefit Program gives $50 discount per month to homes in need
Broadband providers will be able to provide up to $50 per month in savings to low-income consumers, or those who have been financially affected by COVID-19 starting May 12.
EBB enrollment begins on May 12
The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBB) is a $3.2 billion federal initiative created by Congress to help lower the cost of high-speed internet for eligible households. The program is temporary but aims to help those in need during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The EBB will provide a discount of up to $50 per month towards broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a 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.
"Families in every corner of the country have been struggling to get online throughout this pandemic," says FCC Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. "For those families, we now say help is around the corner. In less than two weeks, we will have a new way for disconnected Americans to access the internet to carry out their day- to-day life, so they can reach the virtual classroom, take advantage of telehealth, and seek new employment opportunities. I'm proud of the work we've done as an agency to get this program off the ground in record time."
Households are eligible if they meet any of the following criteria:
Customers can enroll in the program via their provider or by visiting the EBB website. Find out about which service providers are offering the subsidy with this list.
EBB enrollment begins on May 12
The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBB) is a $3.2 billion federal initiative created by Congress to help lower the cost of high-speed internet for eligible households. The program is temporary but aims to help those in need during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The EBB will provide a discount of up to $50 per month towards broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a 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.
"Families in every corner of the country have been struggling to get online throughout this pandemic," says FCC Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. "For those families, we now say help is around the corner. In less than two weeks, we will have a new way for disconnected Americans to access the internet to carry out their day- to-day life, so they can reach the virtual classroom, take advantage of telehealth, and seek new employment opportunities. I'm proud of the work we've done as an agency to get this program off the ground in record time."
Households are eligible if they meet any of the following criteria:
- Has an income that is at or below 135% of theFederal Poverty Guidelinesor 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
- 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
- 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
- Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider's existing low-income or COVID-19 program
Customers can enroll in the program via their provider or by visiting the EBB website. Find out about which service providers are offering the subsidy with this list.