Emergency Broadband Benefit

Federal Communications Commission

Program Type:

Consumer Financial Support

Eligible Geography:

USA

Summary:

The Emergency Broadband Benefit will provide a discount of up to $50 per month towards broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price.

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

Eligible Recipients:

Private Consumer

Eligible Recipients Detail:

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;
-Approved to receive 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;
- 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 and the household had a total income in 2020 at or below $99,000 for single filers and $198,000 for joint filers; or
- Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider's existing low-income or COVID-19 program.

Eligible Purpose:

Broadband Enabled Devices; Private Internet Service

Eligible Purpose Detail:

The Emergency Broadband Benefit is limited to one monthly internet service discount and one device discount per household. Qualifying devices include laptops, desktop computers and tablets.