The EBB application window is now open for qualifying households of K-12 Students to receive discounts on their broadband internet services.
The EBB provides a monthly discount on broadband service of up to $50 per eligible household (or up to $75 per eligible household on Tribal lands). The participating broadband service provider will receive the funds directly from the Emergency Broadband Benefit program. Most all local providers, SLIC, Verizon, Spectrum, Citizen-Telephone, TDS, and others are participating. The funds will not transfer through the school in any way.
While the application process is up to the individual families, schools are being asked to help eligible families become aware of the program and aid families by providing supporting documentation to validate eligibility. The eligibility criteria include students participating in programs such as: the Free and Reduced lunch program, SNAP, Medicaid, or Lifeline, please see the complete list in the eligibility tab on site below.
Recommendations for schools are to provide a statement of eligibility and a link to the application (as below) or by calling the local broadband provider to sign up and provide a school contact persona that can provide the eligibility documents to the families.
This program is estimated to include funding through June 2022, or 60 days' notice will be given should the funding become exhausted prior. Any family that was provided a kajeet/mobile hotspot due to concerns of available broadband expense may want to reconsider that option thus reducing the schools need to provide solutions and this will provide the household a more stable and better digital experience for the students digital at home learning or homework needs. Most broadband connections have the capability to support multiple devices at high speeds..
