Comparisonsmaster
How the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program Is Helping Americans Save On Cable and Internet
Related Topics (Sponsored Ads):
This is exactly what the Emergency Broadband Service was created for. The Emergency Broadband Service is a government subsidy program created to help those who cannot afford internet service during this pandemic. With this subsidy program, they can now get $50 off their monthly benefits.
The Emergency Internet Benefit would give eligible households a monthly discount of up to $50 for broadband service and up to $75 for homes on qualifying Tribal territories. Suppose eligible families donate more than $10 but less than $50 toward the purchase price of a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers. In that case, they can earn a one-time discount of up to $100.
Each family is only eligible for one monthly service discount and one device discount under the Emergency Broadband Benefit.
A lot of broadband providers have volunteered to participate in the Federal Communication Commission’s project. Examples include T-Mobile, AT&T, Charter Spectrum, CenturyLink, Verizon, Cricket Wireless, etc. Some of these broadband providers also put some of their prepaid plans on this discount project (AT&T and Cricket Wireless). To know if you qualify and how to apply, do not miss a line of the rest of this article.
This is exactly what the Emergency Broadband Service was created for. The Emergency Broadband Service is a government subsidy program created to help those who cannot afford internet service during this pandemic. With this subsidy program, they can now get $50 off their monthly benefits.
The Emergency Internet Benefit would give eligible households a monthly discount of up to $50 for broadband service and up to $75 for homes on qualifying Tribal territories. Suppose eligible families donate more than $10 but less than $50 toward the purchase price of a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers. In that case, they can earn a one-time discount of up to $100.
Each family is only eligible for one monthly service discount and one device discount under the Emergency Broadband Benefit.
A lot of broadband providers have volunteered to participate in the Federal Communication Commission’s project. Examples include T-Mobile, AT&T, Charter Spectrum, CenturyLink, Verizon, Cricket Wireless, etc. Some of these broadband providers also put some of their prepaid plans on this discount project (AT&T and Cricket Wireless). To know if you qualify and how to apply, do not miss a line of the rest of this article.
Eligibility
The categories of people that qualify for the Emergency Broadband Service include:
● People who have lost a significant amount of money due to a job loss or layoff since February 29, 2020. A household must have a total income of $99,000 for single filers and $198,000 for joint filers in 2020 to qualify. Families whose children get free or low-cost meals also qualify for this subsidy program.
● Individuals who take advantage of the federal Lifeline discount program. Lifeline provides a monthly phone or internet bill savings of up to $9.25 to households who earn less than 135% of the federal poverty level or have at least one family member enrolled in a public assistance program such as the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
For example, to meet 135% of the federal poverty requirements, a family of four has to earn less than $35,775 yearly. Those who live on Native American lands can also enjoy the benefits of the Tribal Link-Up scheme, which gives extra discounts.
● People that already have a discounted internet plan from a low-cost, high-speed internet provider. For example, AT&T offers internet service for $10 or less per month to homes in which at least one member receives government assistance under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
● Due to the higher cost of internet in certain places, families living on tribal Native American territories will be eligible for a larger internet discount of up to $75 per month. Those who are qualified will also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 on a computer or tablet purchase, as long as they contribute $10 to $50 toward the purchase price. EBB advantages will be available to anyone who participate in the Lifeline Tribal Link-Up discount program.
● Families that use internet services with discounts provided by high-speed internet companies also qualify for this discount. Most times, these discounts are aimed at poor households. Examples of such internet providers include Cox and AT&T.
● Students who also receive federal aid such as the Pell Grant are also qualified for the program.
How To Apply for the Program
There are categorically three ways to apply for the program:
● The first is to visit GetEmergencyBroadband.org to apply online and find participating providers close to your location. After submitting your application, you then must contact a participating provider to select a plan included in the discount program.
● Another way is to call 833-511-0311 to request a mail-in application. Then, you should return a printed copy and return it along with documents showing you’re eligible to this mail address:
Emergency Broadband Support Center
P.O. Box 7081
London, KY 40742.
● If your existing internet provider is also participating in the program, you can reach out to know about their application process. If you cannot apply directly, then you can try the other methods above.
The program will end six months after the Department of Health and Human Services declares a stop to the state of emergency surrounding the pandemic or when the money budgeted for the program runs out. If you’re eligible for the program, it’s better to jump on as soon as possible.
