Do I Qualify
Your household qualifies for the Benefit if it has an income at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines OR any member of the household:
- Qualifies for Lifeline benefits through participation in SNAP, Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income, Federal Public Housing Assistance, or Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit
- Participates in one of several Tribal specific programs: Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Tribal Head Start (only households meeting the relevant income qualifying standard), Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF), Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
- Experienced a substantial loss of income since February 29, 2020 due to job loss or furlough AND has a total household income in 2020 at or below $99,000 for single filers and $198,000 for joint filers
- Received a federal Pell Grant in the current award year
- Received approval for 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
- Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider’s existing low-income or COVID-19 program, and that provider received FCC approval for its eligibility verification process
Only one free monthly service discount and one device discount is allowed per household. Program rules acknowledge there may be more than one eligible household residing at the same address.
Qualify Through Your Child or Dependent
Any member of your household can make your household eligible. For example, if your child or dependent participates in the Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch Program, your household qualifies for the Free Internet Benefit.
If You Already Receive Lifeline Benefits
Lifeline is a program to help make communications services more affordable for low-income consumers. If you currently receive Lifeline benefits, Medicaid, you automatically qualify for the Emergency Broadband Benefit, and you can receive both benefits at the same time. You can apply your Free Internet Benefit and your Lifeline benefit to the same or separate services.
If You Use SNAP, Medicaid, or Other Programs
You can receive the Free Internet Benefit if you (or someone in your household) participates in one of these federal assistance programs:
Tribal Specific Programs:
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance,
- Tribal Head Start (only households meeting the relevant income qualifying standard),
- Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF)
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as Food Stamps
- Medicaid
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
- Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program, including at US Department of Agriculture Community Eligibility Provision schools
Received a Federal Pell Grant in the current award year
You may need to show a card, letter, or official document as proof that you participate in one of these programs when you apply for the Free Internet Benefit.
If Your Household Income Is a Certain Amount
You can get the Emergency Broadband Benefit if your income is 135% or less than the federal poverty guidelines. The guideline is based on your household size and state.
You will have to show proof of income, like pay stubs or a tax return, when you apply for the Free Internet Program.
If You Experienced a Job Loss or Furlough
If you experienced a substantial loss of income since February 29, 2020 because you lost your job (including if you lost your business) or were furloughed, you may qualify for the Free Internet Program.
You will have to show proof of the job loss (including business closure or bankruptcy) or furlough, like a termination letter or furlough notice, as well as proof of your total income, like a tax return or official documentation containing income information when you apply for the Program. To qualify in this way, your total household income in 2020 must be at or below $99,000 (for single tax filers) and $198,000 (for joint tax filers).
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