The Universal Service Fund has announced that residents can now enroll in the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program, which provides a temporary discount on monthly broadband bills for qualifying low-income households.
This cost assistance program provides a discount of up to $50 a month per household for internet bills. Households may also receive $100 to buy a laptop, desktop, or tablet through their internet provider.
To be eligible, residents must have a household income at or less than 135 percent of federal poverty guidelines or have at least one household member who:
- participates in a federal benefits program such as Medicaid, SNAP, or Lifeline,
- receives benefits under the free and reduced-price school lunch program,
- lost a job or a significant amount of income in the past year,
- received a Federal Pell Grant, or
- is part of an internet service provider’s low-income or COVID-19 program.
The fund is administered by the Universal Service Administration Company through the Federal Communications Commission. The fund’s mission is to help communities and people across the U.S. stay connected to the information, resources, and care they need.
Visit the NCDIT Broadband Infrastructure Office to learn how to apply, view a list of participating broadband providers, and see frequently asked questions about the benefit.