American residents having trouble paying off the internet and other digital fees may breathe easier upon knowing they could be assisted by an initiative that rewards up to $50 per month for internet costs.
According to the Federal Communications Commission, Americans can enroll in the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program, an initiative that provides up to $50 a month to non-tribal families and $75 for tribal families to help cover internet and other digital costs.
Since its first launch in May, around 5 million families are aided by the program. Some of the states benefiting from it are California, where roughly 626,000 households have enrolled; Florida (about 335,000); New York (308,000); and Ohio (298,000).
To apply for internet aid assistance, you may ask your internet provider, especially if you’re already part of an existing relief program.
If you’re not registered to prior relief programs, you can still visit getemergencybroadband.org to fill out an online application. You can also print out a paper application and snail-mail it to Emergency Broadband Support Center, P.O. Box 7081, London, KY 40742.
By applying to the assistance program, you need to give them some basic information, including your full name, phone number, email address, birth date, address, and household size.
Verification of your identity can be done via Social Security Number, driver’s license, passport, military ID, or other government ID.
You must also bring other important documents, especially if your household is receiving aid from another program.
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There is no specific deadline for the applications, however, the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program is set to end “when the fund runs out of money, or six months after the Department of Health and Human Services declares an end to the COVID-19 health emergency, whichever is sooner.” It’s best to apply for this limited edition assistance as soon as possible.
Those who qualify for the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program may fit into one of these categories:
(a.) If your income as a household is below 135% of Federal Poverty Guidelines;
(b.) If you are enrolled in low-income relief programs;
(c.) If you’ve experienced a substantial loss of income since February 29, 2020; and
(d.) If you’re enrolled in the Lifeline Assistance Program.
A lot of our current lives are hinged on the internet, and although $50 a month for internet costs seems small, this could help with peoples’ expenses especially those struggling with paying multiple bills.