Pell Grant recipients and others can apply for Emergency Broadband Benefit Program

[MNomadic]

getemergencybroadband.org

What is the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program?
The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program is a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program that provides a temporary discount on monthly broadband bills for qualifying low-income households. If your household is eligible, you can receive:

• Up to a $50/month discount on your broadband service and associated equipment rentals
  
  
• Up to a $75/month discount if your household is on qualifying Tribal lands
  
  
• A one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer (with a co-payment of more than $10 but less than $50)
  

Only one monthly service discount and one device discount is allowed per household.
The FCC has announced that consumers can begin applying for and enrolling in the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program on May 12, 2021. The program will end when the fund runs out of money, or six months after the Department of Health and Human Services declares an end to the COVID-19 health emergency, whichever is sooner.

Your household qualifies for the Emergency Broadband Benefit if it has an income at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines OR any member of the household:

• Qualifies for Lifeline benefits through participation in SNAP, Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income, Federal Public Housing Assistance, or Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit;
  
  
• Participates in one of several Tribal specific programs: Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Tribal Head Start (only households meeting the relevant income qualifying standard), Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF), Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations;
  
  
• Experienced a substantial loss of income since February 29, 2020 with a total household income in 2020 at or below $99,000 for single filers and $198,000 for joint filers;
  
  
• Received a federal Pell Grant in the current award year;
  
  
• Received approval for 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; or
  
  
• Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider’s existing low-income or COVID-19 program, and that provider received FCC approval for its eligibility verification process.
  

Only one monthly service discount and one device discount is allowed per household. Program rules acknowledge there may be more than one eligible household residing at the same address.
Qualify Through Your Child or Dependent
Any member of your household can make your household eligible. For example, if your child or dependent participates in the Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch Program, your household qualifies for the Emergency Broadband Benefit.
If You Already Receive Lifeline Benefits
Lifeline is a program to help make communications services more affordable for low-income consumers. If you currently receive Lifeline benefits, you automatically qualify for the Emergency Broadband Benefit, and you can receive both benefits at the same time. You can apply your Emergency Broadband Benefit and your Lifeline benefit to the same or separate services. Talk to your broadband provider to learn how to start receiving EBB Program discounts.
If Your Broadband Provider Already Has Its Own Low-Income or COVID-19 Relief Program
If your broadband provider already has its own low-income or COVID-19 relief program, you may be able to qualify through this program as well. Talk to your broadband provider for more information.
If You Use SNAP, Medicaid, or Other Programs
You can receive the Emergency Broadband Benefit if you (or someone in your household) participates in one of these federal assistance programs:

• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as Food Stamps
  
  
• Medicaid
  
  
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
  
  
• Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
  
  
• Veterans Pension and Survivors BenefitFree and Reduced-Price School Lunch Program
  
  
• Tribal Specific Programs:
  
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance,
    
  • Tribal Head Start (only households meeting the relevant income qualifying standard),
    
  • Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF)
    
  • Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
    
• [size=undefined]Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program, including at US Department of Agriculture Community Eligibility Provision schools[/size]
  
• [size=undefined]Received a Federal Pell Grant in the current award year[/size]
  

[*]You may need to show a card, letter, or official document as proof that you participate in one of these programs when you apply for the Emergency Broadband Benefit.
If Your Household Income Is a Certain Amount
You can get the Emergency Broadband Benefit if your income is 135% or less than the federal poverty guidelines. The guideline is based on your household size and state.
You will have to show proof of income, like pay stubs or a tax return, when you apply for the EBB Program.
If You Experienced a Substantial Loss of Income
If you experienced a substantial loss of income since February 29, 2020 because you lost your job or were furloughed, you may qualify for the EBB Program. To qualify in this way, your total household income in 2020 must be at or below $99,000 (for single tax filers) and $198,000 (for joint tax filers).
You will have to show proof of your total income, like a tax return or official documentation containing income information, as well as proof of the loss of income, like a termination letter or furlough notice, when you apply for the EBB Program.

[bjcheung77]

Wow, this is new, look at that household income! It's so high! I mean, that qualifies most people but the "rich or top 20%" ...

[jch]

Because receiving a Pell Grant is a qualifying criteria, some forum members may be included.

Side note: be careful with the fine print that some providers attach to their programs. For example, AT&T is requiring applicants to move to the current prevailing rate first and stay on that rate after the EBB program ends. Anyone currently receiving discounts and/or waived equipment fees must give that up to receive EBB. In the long run, accepting EBB may not be worth it because of this gotcha.

Also, there was supposed to be an option for a subsided laptop option as well under the EBB program. I haven't seen anything about that yet; perhaps it simply hasn't launched at this time.