Emergency Broadband Benefit Program Transitions to New Affordable
Connectivity Program

--

WASHINGTON, December 31, 2021--In accordance with Congressional
directives in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the Federal
Communications Commission today officially launched the Affordable
Connectivity Program, the $14.2 billion successor program to the
Emergency Broadband Benefit which helped almost 9 million afford
internet access during the pandemic. As of today, eligible households
are encouraged to apply to receive up to $30 per month discount toward
internet service and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying
Tribal lands. 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 response to the Emergency Broadband Benefit proved what many knew
to be true: the cost of high-speed internet is out of reach for too
many of us," said FCC Chairwoman Rosenworcel. "Now with the long-term
Affordable Connectivity Program, we have the opportunity to enroll
even more households and help ensure they can afford the internet
connections they need for work, school, health care and more for
years." A household is eligible for the Affordable Connectivity
Program if a member of the household meets at least one of the
criteria below:

* Has an income that is at or below 200% of the federal poverty
guidelines;

* Participates in certain assistance programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid,
Federal Public Housing Assistance, SSI, WIC, or Lifeline;

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

* Is 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,
2020-2021, or 2021-2022 school year;

* Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year; or

* Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider's
existing low-income program.

Rest of press release:

https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-378908A1.pdf