NAHMA Update: FCC Approves $50 Monthly High-Speed Internet Subsidy

March 1, 2021

Dear NAHMA Members,

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently approved an emergency subsidy for low-income households to bring internet service to families for distance learning, work and digital health care during the pandemic. The Emergency Broadband Benefit will provide a discount of up to $50 per month towards broadband service for eligible households (and up to $75 per month for households on 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 $10-$50 toward the purchase price. The Emergency Broadband Benefit is limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount per household. The program will use $3.2 billion allocated late last year by Congress as part of its Covid-19 relief bill.

Who Is Eligible for the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program?

A household is eligible if one member of the household:

  • Qualifies for the Lifeline program;
  • Receives benefits under the free and reduced-price school lunch program or the school breakfast program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision, or did so in the 2019-2020 school year;
  • Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year;
  • Experienced a substantial loss of income since February 29, 2020 and the household had a total income in 2020 below $99,000 for single filers and $198,000 for joint filers; or
  • Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating providers' existing low-income or COVID-19 program.

When Can I Sign Up for the Benefit?

  • The program has been authorized by the FCC, but the start date has not yet been established. The FCC is working to make the benefit available as quickly as possible.

To learn more about the Emergency Broadband Benefit or to check for program updates, click here.