Emergency Broadband Benefit is a federal program that provides a $50 discount off your monthly internet bills (or mobile phone plans that include internet) for eligible households, plus a one-off $100 credit for purchasing a device.
Table of Contents
Overview
Get up to $50 per month plus a one-time up to $100 credit
- Up to $50/month discount on your monthly service (including equipment rental)
- A one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer (you need to pay at least $10, but not more than $50 towards it)
The program will end when the fund runs out, or six months after the Department of Health and Human Services declares an end to the COVID-19 health emergency, whichever is sooner.
Eligibility
One signup is allowed per household. If you live with other adults but don’t share money, you can each apply for your own discount.
You’re eligible if any of the following apply to any members of the household:
- SNAP recipients
- Medicaid recipients
- Supplemental Security Income recipients
- Federal Public Housing Assistance recipients
- Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit recipients
- Experienced a substantial loss of income since February 29, 2020, with a household income in 2020 at or below $99,000 for single filers and $198,000 for joint filers
- Received a federal Pell Grant in the current award year
- Received approval for benefits under the free and reduced-price school lunch program or the school breakfast program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision, in the 2019-2020 or 2020-2021 school year
- Household income is 135% or less than the federal poverty guidelines.
- Meet the eligibility criteria for a participating provider’s existing low-income or COVID-19 program
Apply
There are two options for how to apply:
- Via Your Internet Provider
Check with your internet provider. If they have a low-income program in which you are registered, you may not need to apply. If not, see option 2. - Lifeline
- Fill out the form on the National Lifeline Verifier. (You can also apply via mail, see more at Getemergencybroadband.org)
- Then, ask your internet provider to add the discount.
If you already have Lifeline, you don’t need to fill out this form.
Find an Internet Provider
Check if your provider is participating in this program. You can also check for participating companies near you.
Verizon
For phone plans (with internet): After confirming your eligibility with National Lifeline Verifier, call 800-922-0204 to have the discount applied to your eligible plan.
For Internet for your house (eg FiOs): After confirming your eligibility with National Lifeline Verifier, call 800-837-4966 to have the discount applied to your eligible plan.
If you’re a new customer, first verify with National Verifier, then sign up (get cashback) for an eligible plan, then call the above number to get the discount.
More info here.
Optimum
More info here.
T-Mobile
More info here.
Getting a Device
You can use the $100 one-off credit to buy a laptop, desktop, or tablet, but not a phone. This credit is not as useful as it could be. You can only buy a device from an internet provider. Many providers, like Verizon, have not signed up for this service, but T-Mobile has. You are also limited to devices that cost under $150 because you have to spend “more than $10 but less than $50” after the $100 credit.
Here is the list of companies that offer devices. Go to your state and look for companies with checks under the column “Offering Connected Devices.”