Do You or Someone You Know Need Internet Access? Emergency Broadband Benefit May Help

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Have you heard of the new Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB)? It is a temporary Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program to help eligible families and households who are struggling to afford internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic. It provides discounts on services and devices, and will connect eligible households to jobs, critical healthcare services, virtual classrooms, and more. Over 2.8 million households have already enrolled, but there are many more that qualify.

If you think you may be eligible, you can apply in three ways:

  1. Contact your preferred participating broadband provider directly to learn about their application process.  
  2. Go to GetEmergencyBroadband.org to apply online and to find participating providers near you.
  3. Call 833-511-0311 for a mail-in application, and return it along with proof of eligibility to: Emergency Broadband Support Center, P.O. Box 7081, London, KY 40742. 

Individuals who use videophones and are fluent in American Sign Language (ASL) may call the FCC’s ASL Consumer Support Line at (844) 432-2275 (videophone). They may also watch this this ASL video to learn about the Emergency Broadband Benefit, who is eligible and how to apply.

For more information

Karen Joy Fletcher

Our blogger Karen Joy Fletcher is CHA’s Communications Director. With a Masters in Public Health from UC Berkeley, she is the online “public face” of the organization, provides technical expertise, writing and research on Medicare and other health care issues. She is responsible for digital content creation, management of CHA’s editorial calendar, and managing all aspects of CHA’s social media presence. She loves being a “communicator” and enjoys networking and collaborating with the passionate people and agencies in the health advocacy field. See her current articles.