Federal aid available for broadband service

Internet service can be expensive, especially for people already struggling to pay bills. A new federal program aims to help alleviate that expense for people who qualify.

The Emergency Broadband Benefit was approved by Congress as part of pandemic relief funding enacted in December. It will pay $50 per month toward an individual or family’s internet service bill.

There are several ways to qualify, according to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which is administering the program. At least one member of the household must:

• Have an income equal to or less than 135% of federal poverty guidelines
• Qualify for a state assistance program, such as SNAP or Medicaid
• Have received benefits from the free or reduced price lunch program at a public school during the 2019-2020 school year
• Received a Pell grant during the current award year
• Experienced a substantial loss of income due to a job loss or furlough since February 2020
• Meet the criteria for a low-income program at a participating internet provider

There are three ways to apply for the funding:

• Contact your internet service provider directly
• Apply online at GetEmergencyBroadband.org
• Call (833) 511-0311 for a mail-in application

You can read more on the FCC’s website.