Wisconsin households are using broadband benefits
More than 106,800 Wisconsin households are enrolled in the Federal Emergency Broadband Benefit Program, which is approximately 20 percent of all eligible Wisconsin households, and above the national average of 15 percent. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) benefit provides a temporary discount of up to $50 per month, toward broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month, for homes on Tribal lands.
“Affordability plays a big part in broadband access,” said Public Service Commission chairperson Rebecca Cameron Valcq, “which is why we continue to urge those who may be struggling to pay their monthly internet bill, to apply for financial support while the funds remain available.”
According to the FCC, 394,000 Wisconsinites lack access to high-speed internet service, and 1,500,000 residents qualify for the program. The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program is funded with $3.2 billion through the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, and will be available until funds are depleted.
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. In addition, the FCC expanded eligibility requirements to families with students who qualify for school lunch and breakfast programs for the 2021-22 academic year. People who would like to enroll in the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program should contact their broadband internet provider or visitfcc.gov/broadbandbenefi t.
