FCC to Provide Emergency Broadband Access with COVID Relief Funds

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has announced a program designed to help those struggling to afford broadband internet access during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Here are more details about the program:

The Emergency Broadband Benefit is a temporary FCC program to help families and households struggling to afford broadband internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic. The program opens on May 12th and provides eligible households:

§ Up to $50/month discount for broadband service;

§ Up to $75/month discount for households on qualifying Tribal lands; and

§ A one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet purchased through a participating provider if the household contributes more than $10 but less than $50 toward the purchase price.

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

Eligibility:

A household is eligible if a member of the household:

§ 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;