Lower Cost for High-Speed Internet - Do You Qualify?

The federal government has a new program to help low-income people access high speed internet services at lower costs!

This program is called the FCC Emergency Broadband Benefit Program and is to help lower the cost of high-speed internet.

What Is the Benefit?

• Up to $50/month discount for broadband services;
• Up to $75/month discount for broadband services for households on Tribal lands; and
• A one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet purchased through a participating provider.
• The Emergency Broadband Benefit is limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount per eligible household.

Who Is Eligible for the Emergency Broadband Benefit?

A household is eligible if one member of the household:

• Qualifies for the Lifeline program, including those who are on Medicaid or receive SNAP benefits;
• Receives benefits under the free and reduced-price school lunch program or the school breakfast program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision, or did so in the 2019- 2020 school year;
• Experienced a substantial loss of income since February 29, 2020, and the household had a total income in 2020 below $99,000 for single filers and $198,000 for joint filers;
• Received a Federal Pell Grant in the cun-ent award year; or 
• Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider's existing low-income or COVID-19 program.

When Can Eligible Households Sign Up?

• The FCC expects the Emergency Broadband Benefit program to be open to eligible households before the end of April, 2021. Please check the FCC' s website, www.fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit, regularly for the latest infonnation.

How Will Eligible Households Sign Up?

• Eligible households will enroll through participating broadband providers or directly with the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC). Please check the FCC's website, www.fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit, regularly for the latest infonnation on the enrollment process.

What Broadband Providers Will Be Offering the Emergency Broadband Benefit?

• Many types of broadband providers can qualify to provide service in this program.
• The FCC is currently setting up the systems needed for providers to participate.
• Contact information for the providers participating in the program will be posted on USAC's website: https://www.usac.org/.

Outreach

• Sign up for important updates and information about the Emergency Broadband Benefit program https://www.fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit