EMERGENCY BENEFIT BROADBAND PROGRAM
What is the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program and what will it provide?
The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program is an FCC program that provides a temporary discount on monthly broadband internet bills for qualifying low-income households. If you household is eligible, you can receive:
Up to a $50/month discount on your broadband internet service and associated equipment rentals
Up to a $75/month discount if your household is on qualifying Tribal lands
A one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer (with a co-payment of more than $10 but less than $50) by visiting participating program retailers.
Please note that although Madison Communications is participating in the Broadband Discount Program, we will not be participating in the one-time device discount because we are not a retail business that sells laptops, computers, or devices. However, we do encourage you to check out PCsforPeople.org and other retailers listed on the FCC website for further information on the device discount.
Who is eligible for the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program?
A household is eligible if one member of the household meets at least one of the criteria below:
- Qualifies for the Lifeline program
- 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
- Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award 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; or
- Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating providers’ existing low-income or COVID-19 program
- Only one monthly service discount and one device discount is allowed per household
