CONNECTIONS

The FCC wants to pay your Internet bill. Really.

By: Norine Dworkin | Editor in Chief

& |

May 12, 2021

The Federal Communications Commission opened the temporary Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) program Wednesday to provide $50 a month per household ($75 on tribal lands) to help pay for Internet service during the pandemic. The program also includes a one-time $100 payment toward a laptop, desktop or tablet from participating providers when consumers kick in between $10 and $50 toward the purchase price.

The program will stay open until six months after the pandemic is over … or the money runs out.

Access the program at GetEmergencyBroadbandProgram.org to see if your Internet provider is participating.and start the application process.

‍

Continue Story‍

Use the EBB to help pay for Internet service or cell phone bills and upgrade your computer equipment.

Unsplash

Households are eligible if you …

lost money during the pandemic and made less than $198,000 for joint filers or $99,000 for single filers in 2020
have an income that’s at or below 135 percent of federal poverty guidelines
participate in a federal assistance program like SNAP, Medicaid or Lifeline
got a Pell grant this year
are approved for benefits for free- or reduced-price lunch or breakfast at school
qualify for your ISP’s existing low-income or Covid-19 program

Benefits are paid directly to your Internet provider — no waiting on checks or direct deposits. Money can be used to pay for a home Internet connection or mobile phone. But you only get one benefit per household, so you’ll have to choose.