Emergency Broadband Benefits

A Federal Communications Commission program designed to help lower the cost of broadband service for eligible households during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has been announced by the state of Louisiana’s Broadband Development and Connectivity office.

Enrollment for the FCC’s Emergency Broadband Benefit Program will begin May 12, and applications will be accepted on a first come-first served basis.

Under the program, a discount of up to $50 a month toward broadband service will be available for eligible households and a discount of up to $75 a month for qualifying households on Tribal lands.

Also, a discount of up to $100 per household is provided toward the one-time purchase of a desktop computer, laptop or tablet purchased through a participating broadband provider.

Eligibility requirements for a household are determined if one member of the household:

• Has an income that is at or below 135 percent of the federal poverty guidelines or participates in certain government assistance programs;
• Receives benefits under the free and reduced-price school lunch or breakfast program;
• Received a federal Pell Grant during the current award year;
• Experienced a substantial loss of income due to job loss or furlough since Feb. 29, 2020;
• Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider’s existing low-income or COVID-19 program.

Individuals may apply by contacting their preferred participating provider directly or by using the online application at GetEmergencyBroadband.org.

Applicants may also print an application in English or Spanish, complete the application and send with proof of eligibility to Emergency Broadband Support Center, P.O. Box 7081, London, KY, 40742. Additional information about the program is available at www.fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit, or call 833-511-0311 between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. any day of the week.