Emergency Broadband Benefit: How To Receive A Monthly $50 Discount On Your Internet Bill

Emergency Broadband Benefit

Emergency Broadband Benefit: How To Receive A Monthly $50 Discount On Your Internet Bill


In this resource guide, I will tell you about a government assistance program that helps you pay for some of the cost of your monthly internet bill.

That program is called the Emergency Broadband Benefit.

Internet access has long been a luxury, but in today’s world, it is almost necessary to be connected to the internet. Many of our daily chores, such as paying bills, arranging doctor’s appointments, doing schoolwork, and so on rely on the internet.

If you lack the extra income to pay for a monthly internet bill this could make your life much more difficult. This is why the Emergency Broadband Benefit was created. To help all households find a way to access the internet so they can keep up with the changes in business, medicine, and education.

If your household needs help paying for your internet bill and you receive some type of government assistance (food stamps, Medicaid) keep reading to learn how you may be able to qualify for a drastically reduced monthly internet bill.

What Is The Emergency Broadband Benefit?

The Emergency Broadband Benefit (also known as EBB) is a program that was established by the Federal Communications Commission to help low-income families afford the cost of internet access.

This government assistance program helps families with the cost of monthly internet services in the form of discounts to your bill. The program also provides a discount on the purchase of devices like laptops or desktop computers.

We will explain more about the specific discounts that you can receive on internet bills and computers in the next section.

Monthly $50 Emergency Broadband Benefit

Eligible households that qualify for the Emergency Broadband Benefit can receive a monthly discount of up to $50 per month for internet plans. The benefit jumps up to $75 per month if you live on a qualifying Tribal land.

In addition to helping you pay your monthly internet bill, the EBB can also provide you with a $100 discount to help you purchase a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer. To receive this discount on a computer from the federal government you must agree to contribute just $10.

Households are permitted to receive only one monthly service discount and one device discount under the Emergency Broadband Benefit.

Eligibility For The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program

There are a number of ways to qualify for the EBB Program and receive discounted internet service. The main factor in each requirement is that your household is considered low income. Here are more details:

  • If your household income is below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines you could qualify.
  • Households that qualify for government assistance programs like food stamps or Medicaid may also be eligible for this government internet assistance program.
  • If you receive free or reduced lunch for the following school years: 2019 to 2020, 2020 to 2021, or 2021 to 2022.
  • You or someone in your household lost a job or were furloughed after February 29, 2020, and your household income fell below $99K for single filers and $198K for joint filers.

To see each of the ways to qualify for the Emergency Broadband Benefit you can visit the FCC website or GetEmergencyBroadband.org.

How To Apply For The Emergency Broadband Benefit

You will need to apply for the EBB Program and also contact a phone or internet provider that participates in this program.

Here are 3 different ways that you can apply for the Emergency Broadband Benefit:

  1. Apply Through An Internet Provider
  2. Visit GetEmergencyBroadband.org
  3. Apply For EBB By Phone
  4. Apply By Mail

1.) Apply Through An Internet Provider

You can potentially learn if you are eligible and apply for the EBB Program through an internet provider.

If you are in Houston you can read our guide titled How To Apply For A Free Government Cell Phone In Houston. In this guide, you will find internet providers who can potentially help you apply for the EBB.

If you live outside of Houston, you can use this listing of broadband providers in each state.

2.) Visit GetEmergencyBroadband.org To Apply For Discounted Internet

The second way to apply for the Emergency Broadband program is by visting a website called GetEmergencyBroadband.org.

Search for this section on the Get Emergency Broadband website and click Apply Now to start your application.

3.) Call Emergency Broadband Support Center To Apply

You can call the Emergency Broadband Benefit telephone number at 833.511.0311 to apply for this program.

4.) Apply For The EBB By Mail

The last way to apply for this government broadband program is to download an Emergency Broadband Benefit application, complete it, include documents showing you are eligible for the program, and mail everything to:

Emergency Broadband Support Center

P.O. Box 7081

London, KY 40742

After You Qualify For The Emergency Broadband Benefit You Must…

Call a broadband provider that participates in the EBB Program to select an internet plan.

Conclusion

The Emergency Broadband Benefit is a program that helps low-income households pay for the cost of monthly internet access.

Today, it’s also a necessity to have internet access in order to participate in society and be productive.

To qualify to receive help paying your internet bills you must be either low income or receive some type of government assistance like food stamps or Medicaid. If you feel that you qualify and feel that you could benefit from a $50 discount on the internet consider applying for the Emergency Broadband Benefit program.

You can learn more by visiting the Federal Communications Commission website or calling the Emergency Broadband benefit telephone number at 833.511.0311.

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