Emergency Broadband Benefit Program

Important News: Congress recently created the Affordable Connectivity Program, a new, long-term $14 billion program that will replace the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program. Households enrolled in the EBB Program as of December 31, 2021, will continue to receive their current monthly benefit during a 60-day transition period. For more information, please visit the FCC’s website.

The Emergency Broadband Benefit is a temporary FCC program to help households struggling to afford internet service during the pandemic. As of May 12, 2021, eligible households will be able to enroll in the program to receive a monthly discount off the cost of broadband service from an approved provider. Eligible households can enroll through an approved provider or by visiting GetEmergencyBroadband.org.

The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program provides:

• Up to $50/month discount for broadband service;
• Up to $75/month discount for households on qualifying Tribal lands

The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program is limited to one monthly service discount per household.

Who is Eligible?

A household is eligible if a member of the household meets one of the criteria below:

• Has an income that is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or participates in certain assistance programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid, or Lifeline;
• Receives benefits under the free and reduced–price school lunch program or the school breakfast program, or did so in the 2019–2020 school year;
• Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year;
• Experienced a substantial loss of income due to job loss or furlough since February 29,2020; or
• Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating broadband provider’s existing low–income or COVID–19 program.

Three Ways to Apply

1. Apply online by clicking here.

2. Go to GetEmergencyBroadband.org to apply online.

3. Call 833–511–0311 for a mail–in application, and return it along with proof of eligibility to:

                                   Emergency Broadband Support Center, P.O. Box 7081 London, KY 40742

Additional Information:

Consumer FAQ

Emergency Broadband Benefit Consumer Information Hub

Notes:

• The Emergency Broadband Benefit is a temporary program developed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.  The program will end once the program funds are exhausted, or six months after the Department of Health and Human Services declares an end to the pandemic, whichever comes first.
• Participating providers must give households notice about the last date or billing cycle that the full benefit will apply to their bill and the date or billing cycle that a partial benefit will apply to their bill, in addition to information about the cost of broadband service after the program ends.
• Households will need to opt-in or request to continue broadband services with their provider.  If they don’t opt-in or select a new service plan with the provider, their broadband service will end once the program ends. Even if they had service with the same provider before enrolling in the Emergency Broadband Benefit, they will need to opt-in to continue broadband services after the program ends.