If you need proof of the importance of staying digitally connected in the 21st century, there’s this: More than 5 million U.S. households have enrolled in the federal government’s Emergency Broadband Benefit program, which was launched in mid-May to help low-income households stay connected during the COVID-19 pandemic.

                By                    Vance Cariaga

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The milestone was mentioned last week in a statement by Jessica Rosenworcel, acting chairwoman of the Federal Communications Commission. Coinciding with that announcement, the FCC also began releasing more data about enrollee demographics such as age breakdown, eligibility category, type of broadband service and enrollment numbers by five-digit Zip code area.

“Enrolling five million households into the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program in a little over three months is no small feat,” Rosenworcel said. “Through our analysis and conversations with partners, we heard the need for more granular data and today’s data release provides us all new opportunities to target and engage eligible families who may qualify for EBB but haven’t yet enrolled. Information is power. We’re ready to put this new data to work.”

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National and local broadband providers offer a variety of options so participants can get the services they need most. More than 1,160 broadband providers have agreed to take part in the program. The benefit is available to eligible new, prior and existing customers of participating providers.

If you’re interested in applying for the benefit, here are some things to know:

  • Customers can sign up by contacting a participating provider, enrolling online at the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program website or signing up via mail.  To learn more or learn where to access a mail-in application, call 833-511-0311.

  • Households can qualify for the benefit in several ways, including through existing assistance programs such as SNAP, Medicaid, Lifeline or if a child received reduced-price school meals within the last two school years.

  • The Emergency Broadband Benefit is also available to households that are eligible for a broadband provider’s existing COVID relief program; to those who received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year; and to low-income households that suffered a significant loss in income during the pandemic due to job loss or furlough since Feb. 29, 2020.

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