Reliable high speed internet is essential. Unfortunately, it is also expensive and many households across the country still cannot afford it no matter how much they need it. The good news is the federal government recognizes how essential high speed internet is in today’s world and there’s a problem. Help is on the way! There’s a new federal program that offers discounted internet services to people with disabilities. All you have to do is qualify and apply for it. Fortunately many of the qualifications for this new federal program are common assistance and benefits programs that many people with disabilities already receive, making it easy to qualify.
A $50 Or $75 Discount Depending On Where You Live
If you qualify for this new federal program, you could get a $50 or $75 discount off of your high speed broadband internet service. Qualifying households will receive a discount of up to $50 a month and qualifying households located on Tribal lands will receive up to $75 per month. This discount is available only to those who qualify and are limited to one monthly service discount per month per household until there are no more funds left within this new program. Once funding runs out, the discount will be replaced by a newer program called the Affordable Connectivity Program.
How To Claim Your Discount
Claiming your discount is fairly easy. If you already receive government assistance because of your disability, you likely already qualify for the program. Federal Housing assistance, Medicaid, Supplemental Social Security, and SNAP are just some of the programs that’ll qualify you for your discount. You’ll just need to provide documentation that you receive any of these assistance programs with your application. If you’re unsure where to start contact the Universal Service Administrative Company, the organization in charge of handling the program. You can also call the internet provider you’re interested in for guidance and be sure they service your address and participate in the program. Many popular internet providers both big and small do participate.
How The Discount Works
Once you’re approved for the program and provide the documents to your internet provider, you’re all set! There’s nothing left for you to do. Your internet provider will take care of it all from there and you’ll see the discount on the following month’s bill. The federal government will reimburse your internet provider to cover the discount on a monthly basis until funding for the program runs out. You may need to requalify for the program every year just like other government assistance programs.
Part Of The Emergency Broadband Benefit
This new discounted internet service to people with disabilities is all under the new federal program called Emergency Broadband Benefit. The good news is you don’t need to be disabled to qualify for the discount. This program was created to help all low income people during the COVID-19 pandemic. If you had a substantial loss in income, were a student who received free or reduced cost lunch, were a student that received a pell grant or received tribal benefits; you could also qualify for this discount.
