The COVID-19 pandemic created a crisis in education. School closures forced thousands of students across Maricopa County to transition to at-home learning, many of them without the proper resources such as access to computers and internet service.
1.3 million Arizonans need internet. We’re here to change that.
As a member of the Arizona Broadband Stakeholder Network, Valley of the Sun United Way advocates for programs that help close the digital divide in our community, including the Emergency Broadband Benefit, a $3.2 billion Federal Communications Commission (FCC) initiative that provides qualifying households discounts on internet service bills and the opportunity to receive a discount on a computer or tablet.
In addition to providing a better opportunity for children to learn from home, access to reliable broadband internet will enable our community to:
- Apply for jobs and support economic development
- Train a 21st century workforce
- Enhance public safety and health care
- Gain access to telemedicine
- Improve social engagement with friends and family
WHO CAN QUALIFY FOR THE EMERGENCY BROADBAND BENEFIT:
– If one
household member experienced a substantial loss of income since February 29, 2020:
- Layoff or furlough
- Receiving unemployment benefits and
the total household income for 2020 was below $99,000 for single filers and $198,000 for joint filers.
– If one
household member received a Federal Pell Grant in the current award year
– If one
household member 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
– If one
household member meets the eligibility criteria for a participating broadband Internet service provider’s EXISTING low-income or COVID-19 program
– If one
household member qualifies for the Lifeline program, typically by participating in one of the following benefits:
- Medicaid
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
- Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit
- Having an income at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (currently calculated at $17,388.00 per year)
- On Tribal lands qualifying Tribal-specific federal assistance program
NOTE: Households receiving the Lifeline benefit can apply for and receive discounts through the EBB Program on top of their Lifeline benefit.
WHAT THE DISCOUNT INCLUDES:
– Monthly $50 discount on broadband Internet service ($75 discount on Tribal lands), per household, from a participating provider’s rate schedule, fixed on December 1, 2020.
– Discount applies to “bundled services” that include text messaging and voice mail, as well as to bundles that include modems, routers, hotspots, etc.
– Discount also applies to “bulk billing” where broadband internet service is included in monthly rent, such as for households in:
- Mobile home parks
- Apartment buildings
- Low-income housing
- Senior centers
- Assisted living and nursing homes
- For eligible households, their monthly rent is reduced by the discount
– Entities such as school districts, health care providers, assisted living or nursing facilities, and local governments can/may purchase service ‘in bulk’ for eligible households.”
HOW TO APPLY:
Eligible households must both apply for the program and contact a participating provider to select a service plan. Find broadband service providers offering the Emergency Broadband Benefit in your state or territory. For a list of possible broadband internet providers, contact: Connect Arizona at 602-529-1519 Weekdays 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
There are three ways for eligible households to apply:
- 1. Contact a participating broadband provider directly to learn about their application process. If you are unable to apply through them directly, you will have to apply using option 2 or 3 below and then contact a participating provider to select an eligible plan.
- 2. Go to GetEmergencyBroadband.org to apply online and to find participating providers near you. After you apply, you will have to contact a participating provider to select an eligible plan.
- 3. Call 833-511-0311 for a mail-in application or print a copy, and return it along with copies of documents showing proof of eligibility to:
Emergency Broadband Support Center
P.O. Box 7081
London, KY 40742
After you received a notice that you have qualified for the program, you must contact a participating provider to select an Emergency Broadband Benefit eligible service plan. Check out the Broadband Benefit Consumer FAQ for more information about the benefit.
