Emergency Broadband Benefit Program ⏬👇

The emergency broadband benefit program (EBBP) is a temporary federal program that provides a discount on monthly broadband internet service for eligible low-income households. The program is designed to help families and individuals stay connected to the internet during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 When is the emergency broadband benefit program in effect?

The federal government announced the EBBP would be effective September 1, 2019. The announcement included a planned end date of March 31, 2020. However, the government announced an extension of the program until June 30, 2020.

Who is eligible for the emergency broadband benefit program?

The Emergency Broadband Benefit program is available to eligible households in the United States who are struggling to afford internet service during the pandemic. To be eligible, households must have an income that is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or participate in certain assistance programs such as Medicaid, SNAP, or Lifeline.

How much will the emergency broadband benefit program discount?

The discount for the emergency broadband benefit program will be 75% of the household\’s current monthly service cost. This means most recipients will see their monthly internet bill decrease by around $20.25.

Will this benefit last forever?

No. Recipients of the emergency broadband benefit program will see this discount applied to their monthly internet bill for 12 months starting from when they receive the benefit. After 12 months, recipients will revert to their current, unsubsidized internet rate.

Will the emergency broadband benefit program cost taxpayers?

The emergency broadband benefit program is expected to have minimal, if any, impact on the taxpayer. The program will be funded by revenue from the Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) system that is collected by the federal government. This means the cost of the program will not come from taxpayers\’ pockets.

Will my wireless phone service be discounted under the emergency broadband benefit program?

The emergency broadband benefit program will only apply to monthly internet service costs. If you are experiencing a discount on your wired or wireless phone service, it means you are eligible for government assistance programs such as Lifeline or Section 214 grants. The emergency broadband benefit program will not affect your Lifeline or Section 214 grant discounts.

How do I enroll in the emergency broadband benefit program?

Recipients will not need to take any action to be eligible for the emergency broadband benefit program. Eligibility will be based on information available in federal and state income databases.