The FCC recently announced the creation of the Emergency Broadband Benefit. Its main aim is to aid households struggling to pay for Internet service since the coronavirus arrived. Once it kicks in, the Emergency Broadband Benefit will connect those in need with such necessities as virtual classrooms, healthcare services, and jobs.
What the Emergency Broadband Benefit Will Provide
Eligible households will receive up to a $50 discount towards broadband Internet service under this program. That discount jumps to $75 per family on Tribal lands.
Also, eligible households can enjoy a one-time discount of up to $100 towards purchasing a tablet, desktop computer, or laptop. The device will have to come from a participating provider to receive this discount, and the recipient will have to pay $10 to $50 out of pocket towards the purchase.
Each household will be limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount.
Eligibility for the Emergency Broadband Benefit
To be eligible for the FCC’s new program, one of the following must apply to at least one member of the household:
- Won a Federal Pell Grant (must be during the current award year).
- Either during the current year or the 2019-2020 school year received benefits from the school breakfast program or the free and reduced lunch program.
- Meets a participating provider’s eligibility criteria for an existing COVID-19 or low-income program.
- Is eligible for the FCC’s Lifeline program.
- Suffered from a significant loss of income since February 29, 2020, with total household income below $99,000 for single filers and $198,000 for joint filers.
As for when the Emergency Broadband Benefit will begin, that’s still up in the air. They hope to make it available as quickly as possible, so stay tuned.
Other Low-Cost Internet Options
In the meantime, there are other ways to get affordable Internet during the pandemic. For starters, you can get in touch with your current provider and ask if they offer any discounts or payment plans to make your bill more manageable. You can also look into the following programs:
Mediacom Connect 2 Compete
You can get reliable, fast Internet with speeds up to 25Mbps through this program for $9.95 per month. If you have children participating in the National School Lunch Program, that’s all you need to qualify. No deposit, installation/rental fees, or contract are necessary.
Comcast Internet Essentials
If you receive public assistance like Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, etc., you can qualify for this program that offers low-cost Internet for $9.95 per month. No credit check or contract is necessary, and you’ll get a free self-install kit. New customers can receive two months free for signing up.
Access from AT&T
The highlights of this affordable Internet program include free installation, no deposit, and no annual contract. The monthly cost is under $10, and overage fees are waived for the time being.
Section 8 Assist
