New federal program will help with the cost of broadband

A new Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program provides a temporary benefit to lower the cost of broadband service for eligible households during the on-going COVID-19 pandemic. 

Households who qualify can receive a discount of up to $50 per month on broadband service (up to $75 on qualifying Tribal lands). The benefit also provides up to a $100 discount toward a one-time purchase of a computer, laptop, or tablet, provided a household meets program requirements.

According to the FCC, if one member of the household meets at least one of several criteria, it qualifies for the benefit. Households with income at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or participating in certain assistance programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid or the FCC’s Lifeline program, are eligible. Also eligible are families approved under the free and reduced-price school lunch program or the school breakfast program during either the 2019-20 or 2020-21 school year; those who received a federal Pell Grant during the current award years; workers who lost income through job loss or furloughs since Feb. 29, 2020 (provided their 2020 total household income was at or below $99,000 for single filers or $198,000 for joint filers); and those who qualify for their broadband provider’s existing low-income or COVID-19 program.

Enrollment began on May 12. Eligible households can enroll through a participating broadband provider (Comcast/Xfinity, Frontier Communications, Optimum, Verizon, T-Mobile and others are listed as participants in Connecticut). They can also enroll directly with the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) using an online or mail-in application.  

Additional information about the Emergency Broadband Benefit is available at  www.fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit, or by calling 833-511-0311 between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. any day of the week.