Devices (FILE) (Source: Madeline Cuddihy) By Elizabeth Ufi | May 5, 2021 at 6:10 PM HST - Updated May 5 at 6:10 PM
HONOLULU, Hawaii (HawaiiNewsNow) - Under a new federal program, low-income households could receive monthly funding to pay for broadband service.
On Wednesday, Gov. David Ige announced the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program, which was created to help households across the state pay for internet service and devices.
Eligible households can receive up to $50 a month to pay for broadband service. Those on Hawaiian Home Lands can apply for an enhanced benefit of up to $75 per month.
Qualifying households may also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 toward the purchase of a laptop, desktop computer or tablet if the household contributes a minimum of $10 towards the purchase price.
Emergency Broadband Benefit will launch on May 12
MTN
and last updated 2021-05-06 13:18:04-04
The Federal Communications Commission announced in February 2021 that it approved funds to provide internet subsidies for low-income families through the establishment of the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program.
Eligible households will be able to enroll in the program beginning May 12th to receive a monthly discount off the cost of broadband service from an approved provider.
The FCC says the program will provide eligible households with discounts of up to $50 a month for broadband service, and up to $75 a month if the household is on Tribal lands. It also will provide a one-time discount of up to $100 on a computer or tablet for eligible households, the FCC added.
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Americans now have a way to offset the cost of their internet service thanks to the Federal Communications Communication’s Emergency Broadband Benefit Program that is part of the $900 billion COVID relief package signed by former President Donald Trump in December.
Under the relief package, a total of $3.2 billion was provided to the FCC for the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program to ensure that Americans in all states have access to affordable internet as schools turned virtual due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“Families in every corner of the country have been struggling to get online throughout this pandemic,” FCC Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said in a statement. “For those families, we now say help is around the corner.
What is the FCC s broadband benefit?
The Emergency Broadband Benefit provides a discount of up to $50 monthly toward broadband service for eligible households 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 buy a laptop or desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase.
Sign-up for the program begins May 12; each eligible household can get one monthly service discount and one device discount.
How do I know if I am eligible for the broadband benefit?
You qualify for the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) if you currently qualify for the Lifeline program, the program that helps low-income Americans purchase broadband access. You also qualify if you are on Medicaid or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).