The Affordable Connectivity Program replaced the Emergency Broadband Benefit on December 31, 2021.
Consumer Alert: An imposter website was falsely offering enrollment in the Emergency Broadband Benefit and collecting consumers' personal information.
About the Emergency Broadband Benefit
The Emergency Broadband Benefit was an FCC program designed to help families and households struggling to afford internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Emergency Broadband Benefit provided a discount of up to $50 per month towards broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households could also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price.
The Emergency Broadband Benefit was limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount per household.
Who Is Eligible for the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program?
A household was eligible if a member of the household meets one of the criteria below:
- Had an income that is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or participates in certain assistance programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid, or Lifeline;
- 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, 2020-2021, or 2021-2022 school year;
- Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year;
- Experienced a substantial loss of income due to 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; or
- Met the eligibility criteria for a participating provider's existing low-income or COVID-19 program.