The FCC Emergency Broadband Benefit Program Has Begun

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The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program is a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program that provides a temporary $50 subsidy on monthly broadband (internet service) bills for qualifying low-income households. This program is available until funds are exhausted.

Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price.

The Emergency Broadband Benefit is limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount per household.

Emergency Broadband Benefit

The Emergency Broadband Benefit is an FCC program to help families and households struggling to afford internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic. This new benefit will connect eligible households to jobs, critical healthcare services, virtual classrooms, and so much more.

www.fcc.gov

All you need to know about the Emergency Broadband Benefit

Americans who qualify can use this government program to knock money off their internet bill each month.

www.cnet.com

 

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FCC and ISPs’ ‘match’ process messed up a massive broadband credit for low-income citizens—leaving thousands furious

Nearly every major provider—and dozens of smaller ones—had complaints filed against them to the FCC.

FCC and ISPs 'match' process messed up a massive broadband credit for low-income citizens—leaving thousands furious

Nearly every major provider—and dozens of smaller ones—had complaints filed against them to the FCC.

www.dailydot.com

 

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FCC opens comment period for Affordable Connectivity Program established under IIJA

New infrastructure law extended the Emergency Broadband Benefit program to provide a $30 monthly consumer benefit to low-income households.

www.naco.org

On November 18, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued a request for public comment on the implementation of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). Enacted under the recently signed Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), the ACP extends and modifies the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) program, which Congress previously established to provide financial support for low-income households to acquire and maintain broadband services and certain connective devices during the COVID-19 pandemic. Funded at $14.2 billion, the ACP also includes broadband consumer protection programs and the establishment of a study on digital discrimination.

The ACP makes a few important modifications to the existing EBB program, which are set to take effect on December 31, 2021, though impacted households will have a 60-day transition period during which their current benefit will remain unchanged. These include:

The maximum monthly benefit changes from $50 per month to $30 per month for households not located on qualifying Tribal lands. The monthly benefit will remain at $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands

Households have new ways to qualify for the ACP, such as receiving Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) benefits or having an income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines

Households that qualified for the Emergency Broadband Benefit due to a substantial loss of income from job loss or furlough since February 29, 2020, or who met the eligibility criteria for a participating provider's COVID-19 program will need to requalify for the ACP

The ACP also directs FCC to publish guidance on the development and display of Broadband Consumer Labels that disclose information about broadband internet access service plans. The ACP additionally includes a digital discrimination clause under, which states that the FCC has two years to issue guidance facilitating and modeling state and local best practices for equitable internet access.

Counties support the permanent establishment of a broadband affordability program, as well as support expanded access to high-speed internet access in underserved and unserved communities. To share more information with your residents with regards to the updated ACP or to submit comments, please click here.

The FCC’s Wireline Protection Bureau is currently conducting a public comment period for the ACP, and the period is open from November 18 to December 8. NACo is reviewing the program and encourages counties to reach out with any questions or concerns.

 

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Blog Broadband Law Advisor

Davis Wright Tremaine LLP

FCC to Quickly Launch New Affordable Connectivity Program

Mere days after the Infrastructure Bill became effective, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) launched a rulemaking proceeding to create…

www.lexology.com

Good Descriptive Article

 

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The FCC, won't let me be, me.

 

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FCC Launches $14.2 Billion Affordable Connectivity Program

FCC launches $14.2 billion Affordable Connectivity Program

Converge! Network Digest provides comprehensive, insightful coverage of the convergence of networking technologies.

www.convergedigest.com

Sunday, January 23, 2022

The FCC published final rules for the Affordable Connectivity Program, which builds upon the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBB Program), to offer eligible low-income households discounts off the cost of broadband service and connected devices.

The Affordable Connectivity Program reduces the monthly standard benefit from $50 to $30 (up to $75 if on Tribal land). Moreover, the ACP application adjusts the income threshold from 135% to 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, and adds Special Supplemental Nutritional Program for Woman, Infants, and Children (WIC) as a qualifying program, as required by the Infrastructure Act. Systems were also adjusted to prevent providers with an approved alternative verification process from indicating that households that these providers were enrolling in the Affordable Connectivity Program were qualified based on substantial loss of income since February 29, 2020, or on a provider’s COVID-19 program, which was also eliminated by the Infrastructure Act.

 

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Stimulus Internet Credit drops from $55 to $30 in March 2022 Spectrum Bill

My bill for "HSI only" was $20.09 in Feb. 2022. The March 2022 Bill says I will be charged $45.23.

 

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Get Internet | The White House

Learn how President Biden is reducing the cost of high-speed internet and find out if you qualify to sign up.

www.whitehouse.gov

The Biden administration is capping the cost of internet for low-income Americans

Twenty internet providers, including national companies like AT&T, Comcast and Verizon have committed to the program.

www.npr.org

 

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Missing the ACP? You Still Have Options: Low-Income Internet Guide for All 50 States

Although the Affordable Connectivity Program may be over, internet discounts are available regardless of your state.

https://www.cnet.com/home/internet/low-income-internet-guide-state-by-state

As of June 1, 2024 funds for the Affordable Connectivity Program officially ran out and low-income households can no longer get substantial federal assistance for home internet access. The winding down of the ACP affected more than 23 million households -- many in rural areas where internet options are limited -- who were enrolled in the program which allowed them to stay connected without sacrificing basic necessities.

Congress has failed to provide further funding for the continuation of the ACP, which shaved $30 (or $75 on tribal lands) off monthly broadband bills for participating low-income households. “High-speed internet isn’t a luxury anymore -- it’s an absolute necessity,” President Joe Biden said in a speech in April calling for an extension of the program where he cited the importance of broadband for schoolwork, telemedicine and small business.