Internet Access
The pandemic further revealed the importance of internet access as a tool to connect New Yorkers to jobs, education, and healthcare.
FCC Emergency Broadband Benefit
The Emergency Broadband Benefit is a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program to help households struggling to pay for internet service during the pandemic.
Amount
The Emergency Broadband Benefit will provide a discount of up to $50 per month towards broadband service for eligible households.
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.
Eligibility
A household is eligible if one member of the household meets at least one of the criteria below:
- Qualifies for the FCC’s Lifeline program (SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, or household income);
- Qualifies for the free and reduced-price school lunch program or the school breakfast program
- Received a Federal Pell Grant this 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
The program has been authorized by the FCC, but the start date has not yet been established. The FCC is working to make the benefit available as quickly as possible.
You can find more information about the Emergency Broadband Benefit program, including updates on how to apply, on the FCC website. You can learn which broadband providers are participating in the program here.
Disclaimer: Information provided herein is subject to change as emergency laws, resources and other factors evolve during the COVID-19 pandemic. We cannot advise you on such developments. Please consult federal, NYS and NYC COVID-19 websites for the latest information and your own counsel for legal advice.