The Federal Communication Commission has an Emergency Broadband Benefit Program to help lower the cost of high-speed internet for eligible households during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

What Is the Benefit?

• Up to $50/month discount for broadband services;
• Up to $75/month discount for broadband services for households on Tribal lands; and
• A one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet purchased through a participating provider.
• The Emergency Broadband Benefit is limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount per eligible household. 

Who Is Eligible? 

A household is eligible if one member of the household:

• Qualifies for the Lifeline program, including those who are on Medicaid or receive SNAP benefits;
• Receives benefits under the free and reduced-price school lunch program or the school breakfast program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision, or did so in the 2019-2020 school year;
• Experienced a substantial loss of income since February 29, 2020, and the household had a total income in 2020 below $99,000 for single filers and $198,000 for joint filers;
• Received a Federal Pell Grant in the current award year; or
• Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider’s existing low-income or COVID-19 program.

How Will Eligible Households Sign Up? 

Enroll through participating broadband providers or directly with the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC).  

What Broadband Providers Will Be Offering the Emergency Broadband Benefit?

• Many types of broadband providers can qualify to provide service in this program.  
• The FCC is currently setting up the systems needed for providers to participate.  
• Contact information for the providers participating in the program will be posted on USAC’s website: https://www.usac.org/.