The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted just how important it is to have a broadband internet connection at home — for remote school or work, meetings and many other pursuits. But broadband can be costly, so the federal government offered new subsidies to help qualifying households afford a high-speed line and a device with which to use it.
Dozens of internet service providers all across California have signed up for this program, which covers as much as $30 of the monthly cost of an internet connection (or up to $75 on tribal lands). The program also authorizes a one-time $100 discount on a computer or other device.
Who Qualifies?
The FCC’s website lays out a number of ways to qualify based on your income or COVID-19-related hardship:
- Your household income is no more than 135% of the federal poverty level. In California and most other states, that translates to about $17,400 per year for a single individual or $35,800 for a family of four.
- You or a dependent are enrolled in at least one of the major federal safety net programs, including food stamps, Medi-Cal or tribal assistance.
- You earned as much as $99,000 as an individual or $198,000 as a couple, but your household lost substantial income during the pandemic because of a layoff or furlough.
- A member of your household received a federal Pell Grant for college in the current award year or qualified for reduced-price school lunches in the current or two previous school years.
- Your household is eligible for an internet service provider’s discounted broadband service.
Each household can obtain only one discounted broadband line, however.
How Do I Sign Up?
If you would like a broadband connection but can’t afford one, here’s how to apply for the Affordable Connectivity Program. If you already have broadband but know someone who doesn’t, pass this information along. Better yet, help them fill out the application.
According to the FCC, participants in the Lifeline program can apply for this benefit through their internet provider. The same may be true for people enrolled in an internet provider’s discounted broadband plan.
For everyone else, the first step is to go online to apply for benefits or to get a copy of an application to mail to the FCC. The application (.pdf) will ask you to provide some identifying information (e.g., your Social Security or driver’s license number), attest to your household size and income level, and indicate whether you suffered a COVID-19-related income loss or are enrolled in certain federal safety net programs. You’ll also need to back up your application with documents, such as a statement of benefits or a tax return.
Once you’ve been approved for the subsidies, you’ll need to find an internet provider that’s participating in the program. The FCC website has a list that you can search by ZIP Code or city. From there, you’ll need to call the internet provider and sign up. Different companies impose different fees and restrictions (such as monthly data caps) on their broadband accounts, so be sure to compare the offerings from local phone, cable TV and wireless companies.
The FCC won’t tell you which companies are also providing discounted computers, tablets or other devices you could use to browse the internet. None of the major internet providers in California are doing so. A number of carriers are instead applying part of the monthly discount to the fee they charge for modems or routers.
Once you’ve gotten approved and signed up for service, the government will pay the subsidies directly to your broadband provider.
When Will the Program End?
The bipartisan infrastructure bill has renamed the Affordable Connectivity Program and will allow the program to continue indefinitely.
To apply, complete the Affordable Connectivity Program, Emergency Broadband Benefit Program form (.pdf).
To read more about this program, visit the Los Angeles Times article detailing this benefit program.
