The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has announced that the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) program – launched to help low-income households pay for broadband service during the pandemic – will end on December 30, 2021, and transition to the new Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). Any consumers enrolled in the EBB Program before 5 p.m. CT on December 30, 2021, will continue to receive their current monthly benefit during the 60-day transition period, which ends on March 1, 2022. After the transition period, the maximum monthly benefit will change from $50 per month to $30 per month for households not located on qualifying Tribal lands. Contact us if you are not currently enrolled in EBB and would like to apply. If you are currently enrolled, you do not need to take any action. You may also change your service subscriptions at any time.

The online and paper application for the ACP will be available on December 31, 2021, at ACPBenefit.org. Any qualifying consumer who is enrolled in the Lifeline financial assistance program on or after December 31, 2021, will also receive the ACP benefit.

Some of the qualifications for ACP will differ from EBB, including:

• Substantial loss of income will no longer be a qualification for the program.
• The income threshold has increased to 200% of the federal poverty guideline.
• Special Supplemental Nutritional Program for Women, Infants, & Children (WIC) will be available to select as a qualifying program.
• Students receiving Free and Reduced School Lunch or Breakfast Program still qualify, but will need to provide documentation.

Watch for more information about this program, or contact us beginning in January to enroll.