New program lowers cost of broadband

NDTC is working to help build consumer awareness about the Emergency Broadband Benefit, a new Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program. The temporary benefit will help to lower the cost of broadband service for eligible households during the on-going COVID-19 pandemic.

The $3.2B Emergency Broadband Benefit program provides a discount of up to a $50 per month toward broadband service for eligible households, and up to $75 per month for qualifying households on qualifying Tribal lands.

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

• Has an income that is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines listed at: https://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty-guidelines or participates in certain assistance programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid or the FCC’s Lifeline program.

• 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 through 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.

• Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider’s existing low-income or COVID-19 program.

Emergency Broadband Benefit enrollment will begin on May 12, 2021. Eligible households can enroll through NDTC or directly with the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) using an online or mail-in application at https://www.getemergencybroadband.org/. Additional information about the Emergency Broadband Benefit is available at http://www.fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit, or by calling 833-511-0311 between 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. any day of the week.