The Federal Communications Commission has launched a temporary program to help families and households struggling to afford Internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Emergency Broadband Benefit provides a discount of up to $50 per month toward broadband service for eligible households. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers.
Eligible households can enroll through a participating broadband provider or directly with the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) using an online or mail in application.
You can learn more about the benefit, including eligibility and enrollment information, by visiting their home page, or by calling 833-511-0311
An easier link to find out if your provider is participating is https://data.usac.org/publicreports/CompaniesNearMe/Download/Report. You can search by zip code. Locally, Suddenlink is a provider. TXOL has said they are looking into it, but cannot provide any estimate of when they may be ready to offer the service.
The $100 reimbursement is for a connected device that cost between $110 and $160 dollars and must be acquired through a participating broadband provider. See the connected devices tab on this FAQ page.
If your provider does offer the service, it only lasts as long as the money does, or six months after the crisis is declared over. Don’t wait too long to apply.