Emergency FCC benefit aims to get low-income households connected

A new emergency benefit recently launched by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is a chance for Wyoming residents to get connected to the internet – and get your hands on devices to do so, if you don’t have one available.

The benefit will provide households with a discount of up to $50 per month towards broadband service, with an additional one-time discount of up to $100 towards a laptop, desktop PC or tablet as long as you contribute between $10 and $50 to the purchase price.

Households are eligible for the benefit if at least one member qualifies for the Lifeline program (the FCC endeavor to make communications services more affordable for low-income consumers), receives benefits under the free and reduced-price school lunch program or school breakfast program, received a Federal Pell Grant this year, experienced a substantial loss of income since February, 2020 (with a total household income last year below $99,000 for single filers and $198,000 for joint filers) or meets the eligibility criteria for an existing low-income or COVID-19 program.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for Wyomingites to get connected to the internet and be provided extra devices…but for this benefit they will not be free of charge but rather will be heavily discounted,” commented Mark Kelly, Health Program Specialist for the Wyoming Department of Health – Aging Division.

The Emergency Broadband Benefit program has been authorized, but a start date has yet to be announced. However, sign-ups are expected to open by the end of the month.