Affordable Connectivity Program Replaces Emergency Broadband Benefit effective 3/1/22

 

Our May 19, 2021, blog post outlined the parameters of the Emergency Broadband Benefit, then available to US residents who met certain low income qualifications. As of March 1, 2022, that benefit is transitioning to the Affordable Connectivity Program.

 

The Affordable Connectivity Program, also administered by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), is funded at $14 billion to institutionalize essentially the same function as the Emergency Broadband Benefit: “help ensure we can afford the connections we need for work, school, health care and more for a long time.”

 

The new Affordable Connectivity Program will provide the following benefits:

·      Maximum monthly benefit of $30 toward internet access for qualifying households not on tribal lands. (This is a reduction from the $50/month emergency benefit.)

·      Maximum monthly benefit of $75 toward internet access for households living on qualified tribal lands. (No change from the emergency benefit.)

·      Up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer or table for eligible households (you need to contribute $10-50 toward the purchase price). (No change from the emergency benefit.)

·      Only one monthly benefit and one device purchase benefit per household. (No change from the emergency benefit.)

·      To qualify for the new benefit, a household needs to meet one of these criteria: 

o   Income less than or equal to 200% of Federal Poverty Guidelines. (This is a change from the 135% limit under the emergency benefit.)

o   Participates in certain federal assistance programs (SNAP, Medicaid, Federal Public Housing Assistance, SSI, Lifeline, WIC). (Several programs were added under the new program.)

o   Participates in Tribal-specific programs, such as Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Tribal TANF, or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations.

o   Participates in the National School Lunch Program or the School Breakfast Program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision.

o   Received a federal Pell grant during current award year.

o   Meets eligibility requirements for participating in a broadband provider’s existing low-income internet program.

 

If a household was fully enrolled in the Emergency Broadband Benefit as of December 31, 2021, they should have continued to receive their monthly benefits under that program until March 1, 2022. They should also automatically start receiving benefits under the new Affordable Connectivity Program. Households that qualified for emergency benefits because they experienced substantial loss of income due to job loss or furlough since Feb 29, 2020, and total 2020 income was below $99,000 for single filers or $198,000 for joint filers will have to reapply for benefits under the new program and qualify on some other basis.

 

There are two steps for new participants to enroll in the Affordable Connectivity Program:

o   Fill out and submit the application found at the program’s website.

o   Contact your preferred internet provider to select a plan and have the benefit applied to your bill.