RoxanneThe Emergency Broadband Benefit is the FCC’s newest program. They recently announced it as a way to give households a helping hand during the pandemic when it comes to Internet service. Since many businesses either closed or changed how they operated, getting online has become more critical than ever.
With this new benefit, the FCC hopes it can help households in need look for jobs, work at home, get virtual healthcare, and participate in online learning with very few out-of-pocket costs.
What Is the Emergency Broadband Benefit?
As you can tell by its name, the Emergency Broadband Benefit is the FCC’s response to the need for Internet during the coronavirus outbreak, which is one of the most significant emergencies in quite some time. To make the monthly Internet bill more affordable, this benefit will offer $50 to eligible households that they can use to pay for broadband Internet. For families on Tribal lands, the benefit increases to $75 per month.
While that monthly stipend takes care of the Internet bill, households may need a device to get online as well. That’s why the Emergency Broadband Benefit will also provide a one-time $100 discount that can be used to purchase a desktop computer, laptop, or tablet. To use the discount, the device must be purchased from a participating provider. The household must also use $10-50 of its own money to make the purchase. Benefit recipients will get one monthly discount and one device discount per household.
How to Qualify for the Emergency Broadband Benefit
Since this program intends to help those who need it most, you’ll need to show some form of financial need to qualify. There are several ways to do this, beginning with already being eligible for the FCC’s Lifeline program.
If you won a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year, that’s another way to qualify. So is having a child who received free or reduced lunches or school breakfasts during the 2019-2020 school year or the current year.
Did you suffer a significant loss of income since February 29, 2020? That combined with a household income below $99,000 for single filers could make you eligible. Joint filers will need income below $198,000.
Lastly, you can qualify for the Emergency Broadband Benefit if you’re eligible for a low-income or COVID-19 program from a participating provider.
Other Affordable Internet Programs
Since the Emergency Broadband Benefit is not yet live, you may need another way to get affordable Internet. Comcast Internet Essentials offers service for only $9.95 per month, including two free months for new customers.
Mediacom Connect 2 Compete has 25Mbps Internet speeds for $9.95 per month as well. Meanwhile, AT&T’s Access program can get you online for less than $10 per month with no overage fees, as they waived them during the pandemic.
