In their current technological era having access to a laptop is very essential since it performs several tasks that mobile phones cannot achieve. In the past, we had big computer devices which you could not carry around but laptops, are portable and have high-end features some are even better compared to desktop computers. A cheap laptop can go for around $300 which may not be affordable to most people. Therefore, the federal government has worked with an organization called the emergency broadband benefit program to ensure that search people get access to a laptop. At this point, you may be wondering how can I get a EBB free laptop?
If you have ever received free government cell phone services, you may have a glimpse of how the emergency broadband benefit program works. This program allows millions of Americans who are below their federal income levels or lack any form of income to get access to broadband services cell phones and laptops at no cost. All you need to get started is to qualify via the selected requirements on their website. The application process takes some time and involves working with several organizations to get approved.
In the end, if you are approved, EBB will issue you with a voucher which you can redeem at the designated stores for a laptop. In some cases, based on your eligibility terms, you may be required to top up money to get the laptop. Our article will give a touch on who qualifies for the laptop. We will also touch on the eligibility terms and the application process. In the end, you will have all the knowledge you need to get started with the EBB program. Let’s get started.
Qualification For An EBB Free Laptop
First thing you need to consider even before you start the application process. If you do not qualify you cannot get access to the free laptops, and you will be denied applying for them for a few months. Here are the requirements to consider.
a) Participation In Federal Assistance Programs
You may be required to have participated in a Federal Assistance program to qualify. Also, ensure to have all the necessary certificates during the application process to make the process easier. Some of the programs include:
- SNAP
- Medicaid
- Supplemental Security Income
- Federal Public Housing Assistance
- Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit
- Federal Pell grant in the current award year – This is a grant offered for college students and if you received it during the year of application, then you may use it.
b) Income
Your income should be 135% below the Federal poverty level. The poverty level may also vary with each State so feel free to contact EBB to learn more about the eligibility terms of your State. Also, if you have an income below $99,000 as a single filer and $198,000 for double filers.
You will also be required to submit scanned or physical copies of your tax documents, payslip, or anything that indicates your income levels.
c) Disability
Disabled persons may easily qualify for free laptops by indicating that they are disabled during the application process. EBB may reach out to clarify if you are disabled by requesting some photos or any documentation after which you will be approved for the free Laptop.
These are the three factors to consider when getting started with the application process and get started with the application. Ensure to uphold integrity during the application to avoid legal issues with the Federal Government.
Steps To Get An EBB Free Laptop
You can easily get a free laptop from EBB by following the steps below:
Step 1: Check if you Qualify
Check if you qualify by seeing if you meet the eligibility terms mentioned earlier.
Step 2: Start the Application Process
You can choose to apply online by completing the form at EBB’s website. You will also be required to attach any documents or certificates to prove if you are eligible. If you are applying via mail, ensure to download the application form, fill it and attaché copies of your eligibility certificate. You will then send the form and certificates to EBB’s mail.
Step 3: Approval
If approved, you will get notification from EBB requiring you to collect the voucher which will be sued to redeem for getting the laptop.
Step 4: Receive Voucher
Once the voucher is received, you can visit the selected electronic shops to redeem it. You may also top up to purchase the laptop of your choice.
Things To Consider Before Choosing The Right Laptop
There are several things you will need to consider before you choose the right laptop.
a) Screen
The device should come with a good screen with good resolution preferably in HD resolution. This will ensure you get crystal clear visibility on your phone and other vibrant features.
b) Battery Capacity
The phone should come with a huge battery capacity that should last between 4-6 hours. It should also support fast charging since this will make your work easier when charging the device. The battery can be removable or non-removable but either way, it should be efficient.
c) Memory Capacity
The RAM and ROM capacity should be large enough to give you a top performance based on the tasks you wish to perform. Having a memory using SSD can be the best option when it comes to ROM.
d) Operating System
It should work with the latest version of Windows 10 or macOS bigsur. This will help avoid any technical issues and lower the chances of vulnerability towards being hacked. You may also update the system on your own by following simple on-screen instructions.
e) Warranty
The laptop should have a warranty of 6 months at the minimum. Also, from where you purchase the device, you should also have a moneyback guarantee from the place you purchased the laptop.
f) Technical Support
The laptop should have reliable technical support either through the community forums or ease of access to talk to a technician from the manufacturer. It should also come with a manual to help in troubleshooting in case there are any issues.
List Of The Best Free Laptops
Here is a list of the best free laptops from EBB –
i) Microsoft Surface Laptop
This is a well-designed laptop with many high-end features. It has a 13.5” display and runs on Windows 10. The laptop has a luxurious fabric cover that gives it a sleek design and appeals to the human eye. Great battery life and high-end performance are also some perks of this laptop.
ii) Asus ZenBook 13 Ultra-Slim Laptop
Asus is known to manufacture great devices with many cool features and the ZenBook 13 is one of them. It is slim and lightweight. It comes with a large and beautiful display. The design is stunning and offers a 22-hour battery life capacity.
iii) Acer Spin 5 Convertible
The Acer Spin 5 offers many cool features that you will love. The laptop has a 10th-Gen intel processor that ensures you get high performance. At full charge, the laptop comes with 15 hours of battery life and features a stylus with cool features. Despite it having pop-up ads, the specs inside it make the laptop reliable.
iv) HP Spectre X360
This is a laptop that offers many vibrant features and a wide range of perks. It has a screen with high resolution and comes with 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD ROM which is sufficient storage. Battery life is long, and it also uses a powerful processor to ensure seamless performance.
Final Words
Having access to a laptop is one of the coolest things especially with the vibrant features it has to offer. The EBB program gives you a chance to get a free Laptop if you follow the right steps of the Application. Ensure to uphold integrity during the Application process in order to avoid you being denied the chance to get the laptop. In this article, we have discussed the Application steps too. We also touched on some of the best budget Laptops that you may get from the EBB voucher.
