November 24, 2021 |FCC, News

Changes to FCC’s Emergency Broadband Benefit coming in January | November 24, 2021

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Important Emergency Broadband Benefit Program changes will take effect next year. Congress recently created the Affordable Connectivity Program, a new long-term, $14 billion program, which will replace the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program.  

What’s Changing?  

• The maximum monthly benefit will change from $50 per month to $30 per month for households not located on qualifying Tribal lands. The monthly benefit will remain at $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. 
• Households have new ways to qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program such as: receiving WIC benefits or having an income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. 
• Households that qualified for the Emergency Broadband Benefit due to a substantial loss of income due to job loss or furlough since February 29, 2020 or by meeting the eligibility criteria for a participating provider’s COVID-19 program will need to re-qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program. 

You can still apply for the EBB! Households enrolled in the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program as of 12/31/21 will continue to receive their current monthly benefit during a 60-day transition period. 

More information about actions current Emergency Broadband Benefit recipients will need to take to continue receiving the Affordable Connectivity Program benefit after the transition period will be available in the coming weeks. 

The FCC is seeking comment on the changes enacted in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and will be adopting rules for the Affordable Connectivity Program. You can view the public notice here: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-21-1453A1.pdf 

The above press release was submitted to us by the FCC.