The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program is Coming!
The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program is Coming!
Important Digital Equity Announcement!
Last week, the FCC released the eligibility criteria and rules for the Emergency Broadband Benefit, a $3.2 billion federal initiative to provide qualifying households discounts on their internet service bills and an opportunity to receive a discount on a computer or tablet.
With digital equity a core value in the Foundation’s portfolio, we are pleased to share essential information on this important benefit. Review and share the FAQ below and look out in the coming months for information from your internet service provider, or a trusted community resource, about applying for this benefit.
1. Who is eligible to receive the EBB?
A household is eligible if one member of the household:
Qualifies for the existing Lifeline program.
Receives benefits under a free and reduced-price school lunch program or school breakfast program.
Lost their job or experienced a substantial loss of income since February 29, 2020 and the household had a total 2020 income of $99,000 or less for single filers and $198,000 or less for joint filers.
Received a Federal Pell Grant.
Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating internet provider's existing low-income or COVID-19 program.
2. Do I need to be a citizen to apply for the benefit?
No. People who are not currently in the Lifeline program must apply for the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program through the National Lifeline Verifier. You can apply online or via mail. In addition to other basic information, the verifier requires one of the following: Last 4 digits of their Social Security Number, Tribal identification number, a government-issued ID, passport, driver’s license, or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number.
3. What if we owe money on our internet bill?
You can still get the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program discount if you owe a provider money. Also, there’s no waiting period to start service after you qualify for the program. You can also end service without a termination fee.
4. How does EBB work?
The program offers a ($50) discount off of people's monthly internet access bills to help connect households to this expensive, but essential service during COVID.
5. Could my internet be free?
Perhaps. If, for example, your internet provider offers (and you select) a plan that regularly costs $50/month or less, you could receive that service for free at least up until the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program’s last month of support.
6. What if we also need a device?
The benefit also includes a one-time discount of up to $100 on a computer or tablet for eligible households. **The Emergency Broadband Benefit is limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount per eligible household.
7. Will this program last forever?
At the moment, no. Instead of having a set time limit, the discount will expire either when the money in the fund runs out or six months after the Secretary of Health and Human Services declares the end of the COVID-19 health emergency. However, advocates are fighting to make this a permanent program.
8. When can I sign up?
The FCC expects the Emergency Broadband Benefit program to be open to eligible households before the end of April, 2021.
9. How do I sign up?
When the program opens, eligible households will enroll through participating broadband providers or directly with the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC).
10. What internet service providers are participating?
Not all ISPs will be participating in the program. Comcast, the leading provider in Baltimore, however, has already announced their intention to participate. *This is not an endorsement of Comcast.
11. Where can I find more information?
You can check the FCC’s page
Additionally, these organizations have been trusted sources of information on the EBB, and will likely continue to provide information on the program.
Note: This article will be updated with new details about the broadband program as they become available.