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FCC ​Lifeline and Emergency Broadband Benefit Program​s

We Need Your Help!

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) program, and their Lifeline program, provide subsidies to eligible low-income consumers for broadband wireline and wireless services, and devices such as laptops, desktops, or tablet computers. We need your help to get the word out and get people signed up for these programs. Lifeline is an existing program and is available now. The launch date for EBB has not been announced, but is tentatively April-May 2021. EBB is a limited funding and limited duration benefit program so you need to act now to help Arizona low-income consumers get signed up before time and money run out. There is consensus that the most effective way to educate and enroll eligible consumers is through direct, personal contact with consumers from a trusted source. In some communities, the trusted source may be a social worker; in others it may be a
community newspaper, a community-based organization (such as a senior center) or even another individual consumer in the community.

FYI, 72% of the households who are eligible for the existing Lifeline benefit DO NOT HAVE IT.  Most of them do not know the program exists and so they probably will not know about the EBB the program either.

Here is how you can help!

  1. Become an Outreach Partner. We know that for many people signing up for government programs can be scary and complicated so we are encouraging schools, libraries, non-profit and faith-based organizations, social service and health care agencies, and local and state governments to help get the word out to your constituencies about the EBB and Lifeline programs, and to help eligible households register for these benefits. 

    To become an EBB Outreach Partner, register on the FCC Emergency Broadband Benefit Program website. https://www.fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit. When you sign-up you will also receive regular email updates from the FCC. 

    For Lifeline Outreach see https://www.lifelinesupport.org/community-outreach/

  2.  Identify a Navigator or Point of Contact within your organization to learn about the EBB and Lifeline, and the processes to help eligible consumers sign-up and take advantage of these programs

  3. Print and distribute EBB and Lifeline fliers to your constituents- See Files Tabs Below      

FCC Emergency Broadband
​Benefit program

​The FCC EBB Program is a new program that provides eligible households a subsidy of up to $50 per month on internet service, or $75 per month for those living on Tribal lands. The EBB may also provide eligible households a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop or tablet computer.  Launch date has not been announced, but tentatively May 2021.
 
This is a limited duration benefit so Consumers need to act now.
 
Scroll down for more information
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FCC Lifeline Program

The FCC Lifeline Program provides subscribers a discount on monthly telephone service, broadband Internet service, or bundled voice-broadband packages purchased from participating wireline or wireless providers. 

​This benefit is available now at https://www.fcc.gov/lifeline-consumers
 
Scroll down for more information

EBB and Life Line Program Details, Files and Contacts 

  • Emergency Broadband
  • Lifeline
  • Navigators
  • Providers
  • Contacts/Help
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FCC Emergency Broadband Benefit Program – Rules and Eligibility
 www.fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit·   Download Fact Sheet Here

The $3.2 billion Emergency Broadband Benefit Program was created by Congress in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021.The Emergency Broadband Benefit provides:
  • A discount of up to $50 per month towards broadband service for eligible households
  • Up to $75 per month for those on Tribal lands​
  • A one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute between $10 and $50 toward the purchase price. 
The FCC has released the Order that creates the eligibility criteria and other important rules for the Emergency Broadband Benefit. The agency also released a fact sheet that can be found here:   The FCC has not established a start date for consumer enrollment. Please check their website, www.fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit, regularly for the latest information. 

Eligibility
​A household is eligible if one member of the household:
  • Qualifies for the Lifeline program. 
  • Receives benefits under the free and reduced-price school lunch program or the school breakfast program, or did so in the 2019-2020 school year. 
  • Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year. 
  • Experienced a substantial loss of income since February 29, 2020, and the household had a total income in 2020 below $99,000 for single filers and $198,000 for joint filers. 
  • Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating providers’ existing low-income or COVID-19 program.
The Emergency Broadband Benefit is limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount per eligible household.

​Outreach Partners Wanted
The FCC is seeking outreach partners to help drive awareness of the new Emergency Broadband Benefit program - an FCC program being developed to provide relief to households that are struggling to pay for Internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic.   As part of the effort to inform consumers about the upcoming Emergency Broadband Benefit, the FCC has established a new website where stakeholders can sign up to help promote the program. The website will also be a resource for consumers and stakeholders to get the latest information on the Emergency Broadband Benefit as the program develops. 

See recording of February 12 FCC hosted virtual public roundtable  on the EBB Emergency Broadband Benefit
​On Friday, February 12, the FCC hosted a virtual public roundtable  on the EBB Emergency Broadband Benefit.  The event included remarks from FCC Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, as well as Commissioners Carr, Starks and Simington, followed by two panel discussions. More information about the panels and a recording of the event can be seen here. 
Continue to look for emails and check www.fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit  for program updates
Download the Emergency Broadband Benefit FAQ file below for answers to the following questions:
  • What’s the Benefit?
  • How does the EBB program define tribal lands for the purpose of receiving the $75 per month subsidy?
  • What level of internet service is covered?
  • Can the subsidy cover modem or router fees?
  • Who is responsible for program administration?
  • When does the program begin?
  • When does the program end?
  • Can a household participate in both Lifeline and EBB?
  • Who is eligible for the benefit?
  • Can households be signed up by the ISP, a school, a housing provider (or anyone else)?
  • If a school certifies eligibility, how do they do so?
  • Must households provide their social security number to sign up?
  • If a household signs up through an ISP, what information must they provide to the ISP?
  • What devices are covered?
  • Must participating ISPs also make devices available?
  • Can a household receive more than one device reimbursement?
  • Which ISPs will participate?
  • What kinds of internet services will be included?
  • Can the ISP change an offer that they had available on Dec 1, 2020?
  • Are sponsored agreements / bulk agreements / single payer agreements eligible for reimbursement?
  • Can an ISP choose which portions of their service territory will participate?
  • Can participating ISPs deny participation on account of debt?
  • Can participating providers charge early termination fees?
  • What is considered a household?
  • What must the ISP tell the potential participant?
  • What must the ISP tell the participating households?
  • Will USAC be reporting geographic level data of EBB activity?
EBB FAQ 3-24-2021.pdf
File Size: 102 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
Download the following  additional files below
The FCC Lifeline Program Subsidizes Broadband, Wireline or Wireless Services!
​The FCC Lifeline program has been in existence since 1985, starting with providing subscribers a discount on monthly telephone service and expanding to include broadband internet service, bundled voice-broadband packages or telephone service purchased from participating providers.  Today Lifeline provides a monthly discount of up to $9.25 on broadband internet or phone service for eligible low-income subscribers and up to $34.25 per month for those on Tribal lands. This benefit is ongoing for the foreseeable future. FYI 72% of the households who are eligible for the existing Lifeline benefit DO NOT HAVE IT.  Most of them do not know the program exists and so they will probably will not not know EBB either.
This benefit is available now at https://www.fcc.gov/lifeline-consumers
 Subscribers may receive a Lifeline discount on either a wireline or a wireless service. See FCC Lifeline Website for additional information
Complete these simple steps to receive the Lifeline discount.

Apply: There are three ways to apply for Lifeline. Select one below:
  1. Apply Online: Find the online application here.
  2. Mail in Your Application Print an application in English or Spanish. Complete the application and send with proof of eligibility to: Lifeline Support Center, P.O. Box 7081 London, KY 40742 3. Contact a Phone or Internet Company
  3. Ask your provider if they offer Lifeline or use our online tool to find a company near you.
After You Apply After you submit an application the FCC will share the results with you. If you apply online, you may receive an immediate approval. If we cannot prove your eligibility automatically, you will need to share some more information with us.

Enroll: Once you qualify for Lifeline, you can choose a phone or internet company that offers the Lifeline benefit to enroll in the program. You may enroll by visiting a phone or internet company In-store, online, or via phone.

Ready to get started? Find a company near you that offers Lifeline.

​Questions If you have questions about your application, or would like an application mailed to you, please contact us at 1 (800) 234-9473 or LifelineSupport@usac.org.
See participating Arizona Lifeline providers in Arizona
Information for Providers
Providers that are interested in participating in the program can learn more by visiting:
https://www.fcc.gov/emergency-broadband-benefit-progra

Download EBB And Lifeline Files 

  • EBB Files
  • Lifeline Files
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Download the following PDF files
EBB Files provided by Next Century Cities and
​National Digital Inclusion Alliance
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EBB Files Provided by FCC
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Other Files​

Need Help? Here Are Some Federal And Arizona Contacts

Task Force Contact
Steve Peters, Coordinator
Arizona Broadband Stakeholder Network & COVID-19 Digital Access Network
​Phone and Text 520-321-1309
​aticarizona@gmail.com
Contacts
Robert Alvarado Chicanos Por La Causa Vice President Information Management & Technology Services robert.alvarado@cplc.org
​602-677-0663 M 602-677-0663
​Tracey Beal School Connect Executive Director tracey@schoolconnectaz.org
​602 670 6513
Melissa Boydston Valley of the Sun United Way Vice President of Community Development MBOYDSTON@VSUW.ORG 602-770-0413
Wes Brownfield Arizona Rural Schools Association Executive Director arsaschools@gmail.com
​928-830-7182
Marcelino Flores Pima County, Community & Workforce Development Special Staff Assistant marcelino.flores@pima.gov 520-724-4007 M 520-272-8919
​Mark Goldstein International Research Center President markg@researchedge.com  6024700389 M 6026706407
​Cindy Hogan United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona Digital Equity Project Manager chogan@unitedwaytucson.org 5208911285 M 5208911285
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