Emergency Broadband Benefit Assists With Purchasing Internet Service In City Of Ames

Press release from the City of Ames:

May 12, 2021

The Emergency Broadband Benefit is a temporary FCC program to help households struggling to afford internet service during the pandemic. As of May 12, 2021, eligible households will be able to enroll in the program to receive a monthly discount off the cost of broadband service from an approved provider.

In Ames, local internet providers including Mediacom and Verizon, are participants in the Emergency Broadband Benefit program. Eligible households can access a list of approved providers and apply by visiting www.GetEmergencyBroadband.org

The $3.2 billion Emergency Broadband Benefit program provides a discount of up to a $50 per month toward broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for qualifying households on qualifying Tribal lands. The benefit also provides up to a $100 per household discount toward a one-time purchase of a computer, laptop, or tablet if the household contributes more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase through a participating broadband provider.

A household is eligible if one member of the household meets at least one of the criteria below:

• Has an income that is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or participates in certain assistance programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid or the FCC’s Lifeline program;
• Approved to receive benefits under the free and reduced-price school lunch program or the school breakfast program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision, in the 2019-2020 or 2020-2021 school year;
• Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year;
• Experienced a substantial loss of income through job loss or furlough since February 29, 2020 and the household had a total income in 2020 at or below $99,000 for single filers and $198,000 for joint filers; or
• Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider’s existing low-income or COVID-19 program.

The Emergency Broadband Benefit is an FCC program to help families and households struggling to afford internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic. This new benefit will connect eligible households to jobs, critical healthcare services, virtual classrooms, and so much more. The Emergency Broadband Benefit is limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount per household.

“We want to make sure Ames residents are aware of this opportunity to make internet accessibility more affordable,” said Assistant City Manager Deb Schildroth. “This benefit recognizes the importance of internet access – particularly during the pandemic – and will provide temporary financial assistance to those who qualify.”

The City of Ames, including the Ames Public Library, has joined the FCC to help raise awareness about the Emergency Broadband Benefit. The Ames Public Library, 515 Douglas Ave., is offering computer access to the public, and Library staff can provide basic guidance to those applying for the benefit.

This press release was produced by the City of Ames. The views expressed here are the author’s own.