Who is eligible?
• People who have suffered a substantial loss of income due to job loss or leave since February 29, 2020. A qualifying household must have a total income in 2020 equal to or less than $ 99,000 for single filers and $ 198,000 for joint filers .
• People who use the Federal Lifeline rebate program. Safety rope offers up to $ 9.25 off monthly phone or Internet bills to households who make less than 135% of the Federal Poverty Guideline or who have at least one family member in a household program. public assistance such as the Supplementary Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicaid or Supplementary Security Income (SSI). For a family of four to qualify based on 135 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, the annual income would have to be less than $ 35,775. the Tribal Link Up Program offers additional discounts for those living on Native American lands.
• People who already use the Internet at a reduced price service from a high-speed Internet service provider for low-income households. AT&T, for example, offers Internet access for $ 10 or less per month for households in which at least one person participates in the government’s supplementary nutrition assistance program. Cox offers Internet service for $ 9.95 per month for new customers with at least one K-12 student in the household who is eligible for public assistance.
• Households whose children receive free or low-cost school meals will also be eligible for the monthly rebate of up to $ 50, as will people who have lost their jobs or whose income has been reduced in the past year.
• Households living on Native American tribal lands will be eligible for a higher Internet discount of up to $ 75 per month, generally because high speed Internet in these areas is more expensive. The program will also offer a one-time rebate of up to $ 100 for the purchase of a computer or tablet for eligible individuals, provided consumers contribute $ 10 to $ 50 towards the purchase price. Those who receive the benefits of the Lifeline Tribal Link Up rebate program will also be eligible for the EBB benefits.
• Students who receive student aid in the form of Federal Pell Scholarships.
This story, originally posted on March 2, 2021, has been updated to reflect the number of people signing up for the Broadband Emergency Benefits program.