Emergency Broadband Benefit

The Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) is a 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 more.

EBB offers a discount of up to $50 per month towards 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 if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 towards the purchase price.

EBB is time-limited and will expire when all the allocated money is used or 6 months after the end of the national crisis due to COVID-19.

Signing Up for EBB

Eligible households must both apply for the program and contact a participating provider to select a service plan.

There are three ways for eligible households to apply:

1. Contact a participating broadband provider directly to learn about their application process.  If you are unable to apply through them directly, you will have to apply using option 2 or 3 below, and then contact a participating provider to select an eligible plan.
2. Go to http://getemergencybroadband.org/ to apply online and to find participating providers near you.  After you apply, you will have to contact a participating provider to select an eligible plan.
3. Call 833-511-0311 for a mail-in application or print a copy, and return it along with copies of documents showing proof of eligibility to: 

Emergency Broadband Support Center

P.O. Box 7081

London, KY 40742

After you received a notice that you have qualified for the program, households must contact a participating provider to select an Emergency Broadband Benefit eligible service plan.

Check out the Broadband Benefit Consumer FAQ for more information about the benefit.

Lifeline Program 

The Lifeline Program is a federal program that lowers the monthly cost of phone or internet service.  Eligible customers will get up to $9.25 toward their bill.  You can only use Lifeline for either phone or internet, but not both. 

Lifeline does not currently have an expiration date.

Eligibility

• A household is eligible if a member of the household meets one of the criteria below:
• Has an income that is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or participates in assistance programs such as SNAP, Medicaid, or Lifeline
• 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 due to 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.

Signing Up For Lifeline

• Apply online

• Mail-in your application and send proof of eligibility to:

Lifeline Support Center

P.O. Box 7081

London, KY 40742

• Contact a phone or internet company

Ohio Internet Companies

Visit https://www.highspeedinternet.com/oh to find internet providers in your area.

Broadband Access Programs

Connected Nation Ohio - Company that is working to increase high-speed internet access, adoption, and use in Ohio to diversify the economy and ensure Ohio’s competitiveness in the connected global economy. 

Broadband USA - Federal grant program that promotes innovation and economic growth by supporting efforts to expand broadband connectivity and digital inclusion across America.

Aging Connected - Collaboration between AARP and Humana Foundation to connect senior citizens to the internet.

Rural Digital Opportunity Fund - Federal program to bridge the digital divide.  The goal is to fund and bring high-speed fixed broadband service to rural homes and small businesses that lack it.