The Emergency Broadband Benefit program has benefited millions of Americans by offering access to many telecommunication services and devices. Since the breakup of the last occurred pandemic, it has become more accessible for people to enjoy its benefits. The application process for the program takes a short time as it is a purely taken online process. Several internet providers have partnered with the federal government to ensure that people get the services as fast as possible. This article will look at the best emergency broadband benefit providers and why you must choose them.
The ebb program is designed to help low-income households fighting poverty maintain internet services due to the last attacked pandemic. With EBB providers, now you can stay connected with your daily activities in workplaces, schools, businesses, health, and other essential services. The program, since its existence, has become more accessible for people to enjoy internet products with a simple application that takes a short time.
Users qualify for the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBB) by participating in Lifeline or a Lifeline-qualifying program by meeting specific income mandatory requirements. For example, those experiencing a substantial income loss since the onset of the pandemic. Those participating in EBB-qualifying programs like the free and reduced-price school lunch and breakfast program and the award of a federal Pell Grant are eligible for the program.
Another benefit group is participating in an approved service provider’s low-income or recently occurred program. People in such situations will get many benefits, such as free tablets and laptops. The article aims to exemplify who qualifies for the program and how the application process should be carried out. You will also know various service providers in partnership with the federal government to bring you this effective program. I hope this article will give much information as you need. Let roll on.
Qualifications For The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program
You can qualify for the EBB program if you fall in the below categories. The eligibility criteria apply to all service providers offering the EBB program.
i) Income
Your income should be at or below 135% of the federal poverty income set level. Depending on your state, the exact figures tend to vary with each state. It is advisable to check with the Provider’s website to know more about this qualification criterion. The applicant should submit a tax document or a payslip to prove that the income is below the federal poverty level. Upon request, you can obtain these documents from the IRS website.
ii) Federal Pell Grant Beneficiary In The Current Year
The grant is offered to undergraduate students in need or anyone who has not completed a bachelor’s degree. If you receive the grant in the current year, you may be eligible for some service providers EBB free laptop program under the emergency broadband benefit program. The federal Pell Grant is offered to US university students with a valid social security number.
iii) Experienced A Substantial Loss Of Income
A household that experienced a substantial loss of income between the past years is eligible for the program. The substantial loss may result from job loss or business closure. The loss of income of around $18000 gives a direct pass to benefit under the EBB. You must prove that there is a loss of income due to unemployment or business closure.
iv) Participation In Federal Assistance Program
Participation in the federal assistance program gives a direct qualification for the program. Some of the assistance programs eligible at service providers include:
- Tribal Head Start
- Medicaid
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
- Supplemental Security Income
- Tribally Administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reserves
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
- Federal Public Housing Assistance
To be eligible for the EBB program under any service provider, ensure to get a certification if you have participated in any of these programs.
Application For The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program
If you have been asking yourself how to apply for emergency broadband benefit program, you are lucky as we have simplified the process as below.
Step 1: Check whether you meet eligibility requirements
Before beginning to benefit from the EBB program, the first step is to see if you meet the eligibility criteria. You can refer to the eligibility criteria discussed at the start of the article. If you meet one or more of the criteria, it is easier to get through with the application process. Documentations like income proofs and certificates from participation programs are required. Ensure you have all of them to prove you are eligible.
Step 2: Begin the Application Process
Obtain the application forms from your service provider’s website or the emergency broadband benefit’s website. For those obtaining them from the EBB website, ensure to select your provider as the participating Provider. If you don’t do so, the website will decide for you, and won’t be very pleasant.
Applications are purely made online or through mail-in applications. For those opting for mail-in applications, download the form from the website. You will fill it manually with all the required information.
Step 3: Submit the Application Form
For those making the online applications, once done with filling the form, click submit tab, and the search engine will send your application to the relevant recipient. Mail-in users will be required to obtain a specific address from the EBB website or your provider website.
Then you will email your scanned application form and other required documents to that address. They will send a confirmation response to you once the email is received.
Step 4: Approval
The last option for your application process is approval. The process depends on the application process you use and the efficiency of your Provider. Online applications might take two to three business days to be approved by most swift providers. Mail-in applications might take longer than expected.
Therefore is advisable to use an online application process. Once approved, you are requested to visit the nearest Provider’s store, or they will send you details via email on how to get your EBB benefits.
Best 8 Emergency Broadband Benefit Providers
The following service providers participate in the EBB program to ensure you get connected in this uncertain time of the last attacked pandemic. You can check Federal Communications Commission to find out other internet service providers in your location apart from the ones discussed below.
1) Comcast Xfinity
Xfinity proudly supports the Federal Government’s emergency broadband benefit providers. The program is a temporary subsidy available for users of Xfinity internet service, which includes internet essentials. An internet essentials customer directly qualifies for the program and needs to enroll in the program.
If you qualify for the program, you can receive a temporary monthly credit of $50 and $75 if in Tribal lands toward internet services and other leased internet equipment. These benefits will last as long as the government provides funding for the program.
The service provider will always provide regular updates for the enrolled customer and notify them at least a month before the program halt and credit is removed. The Xfinity EBB program cannot be used for prepaid internet, unlimited data, data overage, and any non-internet Xfinity products and devices like Xfinity Mobile and voice.
2) Qlink Wireless
Q Link Wireless dedicates itself to helping consumers currently facing difficulties due to the last occurred pandemic. They are doing everything right to keep users connected during these continued abnormal times.
In quick response to FCC legislation, they proudly announced that they would be offering the proposed EBB program as part of the recently attacked relief effort. You can get many benefits from this provider through the EBB programs, such as Qlink wireless free tablet and other affordable internet plans.
3) CenturyLink
CenturyLink is a proudly approved internet provider for the emergency broadband benefit program. To qualify for the EBB program from this provider, you should meet all the eligibility criteria discussed. Apply for the emergency program in the following easy ways.
- Complete the USAC eligibility verification online through the national verifier.
- Contact the provider to order new service. You should make sure your account with them is eligible for the discount.
- Finally, complete their form to have the discount applied to your account.
They will send several emails after submitting your form, including confirmation mail, a notice of approval, and the next steps required to get approved. The qualification from the national verifier expires, and you must complete the service provider application within three months of receiving the qualification number.
Eligible users can receive up to $50 monthly and up to $75 per month for households on tribal lands toward the programs like the ebb cell phone program.
4) AT&T
The providers believe that connection leads to opportunities, and they are eager to help you. If you qualify for the emergency broadband benefit program with the provider, you can decrease your monthly wireless internet bill. The bill gets decreased by up to $50 monthly or up to $75 for those residing in Tribal lands.
AT&T does not determine your eligibility instead, the Federal government does it through the national verifier. It is advisable to check your eligibility before applying through the following steps.
- Apply for your EBB discount after checking your eligibility with the national verifier or call via 833-511-0311 to apply.
- Fill out the AT&T prepaid enrollment form to provide the required information and choose a plan that best fit you.
- Get approved to enjoy your new prepaid plan. The provider will call or message within two days to confirm your enrollment.
With the AT&T EBB program, you can enjoy unlimited talk and text. Consumers who bring their own gadgets get free shipping with all orders and a free SIM card. Stay connected and enjoy 5G high-speed data with an eligible prepaid tablet and hotspot data plans.
5) Verizon Wireless
The provider strongly supports the FCC’s EBB program, and they believe in offering users a lot of choices to fit their needs best. Verizon made all present FiOS Mix & Match plans eligible for those participating in the EBB program to have the program up and running quickly. Verizon believes that their current in-market FiOS Mix & Match plans, which over one million users enjoy today, give the most choice at the best value.
These plans include no extra fees, and you can pay for only what you need. Some customers, however, prefer to stay on the legacy plans they had before. They are promising to offer customers legacy FiOS plans for those enrolling in the EBB program. Their customer care teams are available by phone to guide eligible customers through the EBB process. You are encouraged to choose the best and most affordable alternative based on speed, price, and personal needs.
6) T-Mobile
T-Mobile EBB program provides a seasonal discount of up to $50 monthly towards broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 monthly for households on Tribal lands. You must be their current customer on an eligible rate plan to receive these benefits. There are several plans eligible for EBB at T-Mobile. If you have an inquiry about your rate plan eligibility, you can visit a T-Mobile store or call Customer Care.
7) Human-I-T
The provider aims to eliminate the digital divide and promote equity in access to internet connections by participating in the EBB program. They offer huge discounts on high-speed internet and devices like cellphones and laptops. Some of the benefits you get if you enroll in the EBB program with the Provider include.
- 85 hotspots with free monthly service until EBB stops.
- When you purchase the hotspots, each of them comes with a discount of a Chromebook, bringing the total cost of the laptop to $20-$50, thus the cheapest ebb laptop program.
- The provider offers assistance in both English and Spanish.
8) Cox
The provider is committed to narrowing the digital divide and proudly participates in the EBB program to ensure communities are connected. The program is limited time to all Americans and not just for Cox customers.
To apply, you must meet the eligibility criteria discussed in the article. Once eligible, you can receive discounted internet services up to $50 off and $75 off if in Tribal land. The Provider offers a one-time discount of $100 toward purchasing a laptop. This will save your budget.
Final Words
The emergency broadband benefit program has benefitted many Americans by ensuring that the digital divide is narrowed and internet connectivity is enhanced during the last occurred pandemic. The article has listed some best services providers that proudly support the FCC EBB program for your benefit.
You need to check your eligibility with a national verifier to apply for the program. If you meet the eligibility criteria, you can immediately follow the article’s steps to start benefiting from the program.