Even as the nation starts to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic there are still plenty of people who need help with every day expenses. The pandemic left a lot of people jobless or under employed. The result has been unpaid bills like rent, utilities and even food.
Congress passed a stimulus package in December that includes help with your internet and even buying technology. The package includes help paying for broadband and other basic tech for those who lost their job or experiencing other financial difficulties. Starting this week qualified applicants can take advantage of the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program.
The program is managed by the FCC and offers a temporary discount on monthly broadband bills up to $50 a month (or $75 if your household is on qualifying Tribal lands). In addition If your income qualifies, you can also get a one-time discount of up to $100 for a computer or a tablet.
How do you qualify for the program?
There are a few of ways you can qualify for the program that include having an income level at or below 135 percent of the Federal Poverty level. If you are a participant in programs such as SNAP or Medicaid or can verify that your job loss was due to the pandemic or other criteria you can benefit. Get more information by either visiting the FCC website or by going to getemergencybroadband.org
If you think you qualify, you can also contact your current broadband provider to see if they are participating in the program (or check this list for a provider near you), or print out and complete an application and send it to:
Emergency Broadband Support Center
P.O. Box 7081
London, KY 40742.
Please don’t wait! this is a temporary benefit that disappears when the fund runs out of money, or “six months after the Department of Health and Human Services declares an end to the COVID-19 health emergency,” whichever comes first.
Now you know.
