Eligible families can apply for the broadband program
Along with the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC), Gov. Tony Evers heralded the important impact of the Federal Emergency Broadband Benefit Program for Wisconsin households, who are struggling to pay for internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The benefit offered through the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), will provide a temporary discount of up to $50 per month, toward broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month, for households on Tribal lands.
The number of people in the state that could be eligible for the Emergency Broadband Benefit, is about 1.5 million people or 300,000 households.
“This pandemic has underscored how critically important it is for everyone to have access to reliable, affordable broadband,” said Evers. “Every Wisconsinite should be able to afford the internet and I encourage folks to take advantage of this benefit program to help get connected.”
Participating broadband providers will receive the money directly from the program for providing service to an eligible household and consumers will see the discount applied to their bills. Eligible households can also receive a one-time device benefit of a laptop, desktop or tablet from participating providers, for a co-pay of up to $50.
The program has an expected start date of April 26, and ends six months after the public health emergency is lifted or when the money is depleted. This benefit program is funded with $3.2 billion, through the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021.
Eligible households for the benefit include a household that meets any of the following criteria:
• A household’s income is at or below 135 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for a household of that size
• At least one person in the household must receive benefi ts from Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Supplemental Security Income, Federal Public Housing Assistance, or Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit
• At least one person in the household is in the free and reduced-price lunch program, or the school breakfast program (including attending a Community Eligibility Provision school)
• At least one person in the household has been laid off or furloughed since Feb. 29, 2020, and the household has an income of less than $99,000 for single filers and $198,000 for joint filers
• At least one person in the household has received a Federal Pell Grant in the current award year
• At least one person in the household can participate in their broadband provider’s existing low-income or COVID– 19 program
• If a household is located on Tribal lands, it is eligible if at least one person in the household participates in Bureau of Indian Affairs general assistance, Tribally administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Head Start (only those households meeting its income qualifying standard), or the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
