Penn Manor families may qualify for a discount on their internet service and computer purchases under the Emergency Broadband Benefit program.
The new federal program provides a discount of up to $50 per month for internet service and a one-time discount of $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer or tablet for eligible households.
The Federal Communications Commission established the temporary program to help families and households struggling to afford Internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A household is eligible if one member of the household meets at least one of the criteria below:
- Has an income at or below 135 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or participates in assistance programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid or the FCC’s Lifeline program.
- Has been approved to receive benefits under the free and reduced-price school lunch program or the school breakfast program.
- 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.
- Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider’s existing low-income or COVID-19 program.
Eligible households can enroll in the program through a participating broadband provider or directly with the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) using an online or mail-in application.
More information about the Emergency Broadband Benefit is available at www.fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit, or by calling 833-511-0311 between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. any day of the week.