1 million households sign up for FCC’s monthly internet discount

WASHINGTON – The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced one million households enrolled in the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program in the first week. The program provides monthly discounts on internet bills for families in need.

“The high demand we’ve seen for the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program demonstrates what many of us already knew to be true – too many families are struggling to get online, even in 2021.  Help is here.  As an agency, we’re continuing to focus our efforts on reaching as many communities as possible, so they can get the support they need,” said FCC Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel.

Over 900 broadband providers have agreed to take part in the program.  The benefit is available to eligible new, prior, and existing customers of participating providers.  Customers can sign up by contacting a participating provider, enroll online at https://www.getemergencybroadband.org, or sign up via mail.  To learn more or learn where to access a mail-in application, call (833) 511-0311.

Households can qualify several ways such as through their use of existing assistance programs like SNAP, Medicaid, Lifeline or if a child relies on reduced-price school meals programs. The Emergency Broadband Benefit is also available to households who are eligible for a broadband provider’s existing COVID relief program, to those who have received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year, and to those low-income households who suffered a large loss in income during the pandemic due to job loss or furlough since February 29, 2020.