FCC offers pandemic internet relief

MICHIGAN — If your finances took a hit from the pandemic, you may qualify for help from the Federal Communications Commission.

The FCC’s Emergency Broadband Benefit program allows recipients to receive discounts on their broadband internet service.

It’s intended to help families stay connected by making internet bills more affordable during the pandemic. Eligible households can receive up to a $50 per month discount towards their broadband bills. The bill also allows up to a $100 discount for a household’s computer purchase, so long as the household contributes between $10 and $50 through a participating provider.

A household is eligible if one member of the household meets at least one of the criteria below:

● Has an income that is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or participates in
certain assistance programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid or the FCC’s Lifeline program;
● Approved to receive 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;
● Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year;
● Experienced a substantial loss of income through job loss or furlough since February 29,
2020 and the household had a total income in 2020 at or below $99,000 for single filers and
$198,000 for joint filers; or
● Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider’s existing low-income or COVID-19
program.

Applications open Wednesday, May 12. You can find more information on the FCC website.

You can also call (833) 511-0311.