In the first week of the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program, over one million households enrolled to benefit from the subsidy program, according to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel.
“The high demand we’ve seen for the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program demonstrates what many of us already knew to be true – too many families are struggling to get online, even in 2021,” Rosenworcel said in a May 20 press release. “Help is here. As an agency, we’re continuing to focus our efforts on reaching as many communities as possible, so they can get the support they need.”
Households in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and American Samoa enrolled in the program, according to the release. The program provides eligible households with discounts of up to $50 a month for broadband service, and up to $75 a month if the household is on tribal lands. Additionally, it provides households a one-time discount of up to $100 on a computer or tablet.
Over 900 broadband providers agreed to participate in the program. It is currently available to households that participate in an existing low-income or pandemic relief program offered by a broadband provider; Lifeline subscribers, including those that are on Medicaid or accept SNAP benefits; households that rely on reduced-price school meals; Pell grant recipients; and those who lost jobs or were furloughed during the pandemic.
Those who wish to enroll can sign up by contacting a participating provider, via mail, or online at https://www.getemergencybroadband.org.
