The Federal Communications Commission recently authorized a plan to administer $3.2 billion in emergency relief to help low-income households gain access to broadband internet services during the current pandemic. These funds are part of the $900 billion COVID-19 relief package passed by Congress last year that provides $3.2 billion from the US Treasury for a new Emergency Broadband Connectivity Fund. This fund helps poor families who desperately need high-speed internet for work, remote health care, and distance education.
The four-member commission voted unanimously to adopt the rules to a federal program that will offer up to $50 a month to low-income families, and up to $75 a month to households on tribal lands, for broadband service. Qualifying households will receive a one-time discount of up to $100 on the purchase of a tablet or computer. A study conducted by the Wall Street Journal found that the cost of broadband service averages $66 a month.
The monthly payments will not go directly to families, but will be paid directly to ISPs that provide reduced-cost broadband under the program. Internet Service Providers will be responsible for verifying each household’s eligibility for reimbursement from the FCC.
Acting chairwoman of the FCC Jessica Rosenworcel said: “This is a program that will help those at risk of digital disconnection. It will help those sitting in cars in parking lots just to catch a Wi-Fi signal to go online for work. It will help those lingering outside the library with a laptop just to get a wireless signal for remote learning. It will help those who worry about choosing between paying a broadband bill and paying rent or buying groceries.”
The program is designed to help families at or up to 135 percent of the poverty level. Your household may qualify if you currently participate in a low-income or pandemic relief program offered by an Internet Service Provider, you are enrolled in the FCC’s Lifeline program, you are a Medicaid recipient, you receive SNAP benefits, children in your household are in a free or reduced-price lunch program, you are the recipient of a Pell grant, or you lost your job or your income was reduced in the last year.
The subsidies will be available within 60 days. The FCC still has to sign up Internet Service Providers willing to participate in the program and develop a system to track and approve recipients.
