As part of the $900 billion pandemic relief bill signed into law in late December 2020, $3.2 billion was allocated for an Emergency Broadband Benefit that will offer a $50-a-month discount—$75 a month for those living on Tribal lands— to eligible households to defray the cost of broadband internet service. The discounts will be offered by local internet service providers, which are then reimbursed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Eligible homes can also get up to $100 to help cover the cost of a laptop, desktop, or tablet.

ELIGIBILITY

• Households who already qualify for the FCC’s 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.

HOW TO APPLY

As of May 12, 2021 the FCC is accepting applications for the benefit!

FCC Broadband Benefit Website

FCC Fact Sheet on the Federal Broadband Benefit

To see a list of ISPs in New York State that are participating in the program, CLICK HERE. This list is regularly updated by the FCC as more providers sign-up.