The Internet has brought a revolutionary change in every sphere of life, like personal, social, and business. Due to the recent pandemic, people have undoubtedly realized how virtual meetings, class, communication have helped us stay at home. But it is the most essential issue in the United States of America that every modern and advanced American should stay online nicely. They are so getting connected online means spending money because one should have a computer or laptop with high-speed internet. But some people may not afford to either pay for internet bills or buy a device like a laptop for staying connected online.
When you have recently lost your job and income, you struggle and may stay offline due to no internet and laptop. The government of the United States of American has funded Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to ensure emergency broadband benefits and EBB program free laptops for low-income people. People may now get this benefit as free government laptops and internet access to make sure they can stay online nicely. So there are some eligibility and application processes to get started, and you may know if you feel the need.
EBB Program
EBB stands for Emergency Broadband Benefit program, and this program helps low to moderate-income families with internet connections. There are students in this type of family, and they need to have internet access for their study and school work. It is their right to get connected and stay connected for education purposes. Congress has provided Federal Communications Commission funding (FCC) to make sure they start an emergency broadband benefit program.
So it is a government program to make sure the low-income people can nicely afford an internet connection. Under this program, the struggling households having low income can qualify for this program and get discounts on a broadband connection and one-time discounts for owning a free laptop from the EBB program.
Internet is not just a luxury, but it has been one of the tools in life to go on. When there is any pandemic, everything is shut down. But communication and virtual gathering are still possible even if everything is closed. So the internet is a utility to make sure virtual communication is possible. Most students and people may not afford to buy a laptop or device to get merged with the internet, So there are different assistance programs for low-income people like the EBB program.
How EBB Program Works?
Emergency broadband benefit connections are really one of a good deal for eligible households. The Federal Communications Commission runs this program and it provides assistance for people who are not connected through the internet. In the United States of America, this works really awesome to get internet easily for low-income families.
There are two elements under Emergency Broadband Benefit program. One is for owning laptops and other devices, and another helps to pay a monthly bill of internet. For both purposes, the federal communication commission funded by Congress ensures the dream of low-income people.
The eligible and qualified household who need monthly help paying broadband connections service can get $50 per month as assistance to continue internet service. This amount goes high by $75 per month for those on tribal lands. So households may use cable internet service, wireless connections, satellite or other types of connections, they can get help paying a bill of the broadband service.
Another assistance is that EBB program free laptop. when low-income households don’t have any device to connect to the internet, they need a device like a laptop. So there is also a one-time discounts program for letting the households get free laptops under the EBB program. A one-time discounts program comes with $100 on a tablet, computer, and laptop.
Your local broadband provides to participate in the program, and you check them out if they are participating. Free laptops, android phones, and tablets are available from the participating providers, and you need to contribute $10 to $50 with the total purchase price. Then it adds up by $100 to $150. So you don’t get worried because laptops and other device prices are limited under the participating providers. Surely you can get the costly device under this price.
Eligibility For EBB Program Free Laptop
Not all people are going to qualify for this program. Surely the FCC aims to the households who are still now offline due to low income. They are struggling due to a loss of income and job and they can’t afford to go for internet for their kids’ education as well.
So you need to qualify and be eligible for getting started with this program. When you are getting assistance and benefits under some government program, you will be eligible automatically. There are also a few eligibility criteria to join in this program to get assistance.
- You need to have income at or below 135% under the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
- If you have participated already in different government benefits programs such as SNAP, Medicaid, Lifeline and still getting assistance.
- You are approved for getting free-reduced school lunches for the school breakfast program
- You are receiving currently Pell grants under the current award year.
- Other low-cost offerings,
- You are struggling after losing your income and job recently.
Additionally, senior people and disabled people are more likely to get assistance from different government programs. Surely these programs aim at low-income households who are in trouble for the recent pandemic. But you may explain that you are a senior or have the issue of disability and don’t afford to buy a laptop to get connected. Then your application will be considered as well.
How To Apply For The EBB Program?
When you are eligible for households, it is time to get started on the application process. You, as eligible households, can apply for the program and go to participating provider to get details on a service plan.
Firstly, you need to ensure that your broadband providers have participated in this program, and you should contact them in person to know the application process. This is an option of applying in person when you don’t want to go with the online process. Surely the authority of the participating broadband provider sincerely pays heed to your need and helps you complete the process.
On the other hand, there is also an option to get started online for the application process. This is also a fast and straightforward way by not going anywhere, and you can completely go with the application process at your home.
So it would help if you visited GetEmergencyBroadband.org to search for participating broadband providers near you and complete the application. You may also contact the participating providers to know eligible plans after completing the application process.
When you cannot follow the above two procedures, you may call 833-511-0311 for a mail-in application. Then you should return it along with copies of supporting documents as proof to Emergency Broadband Support Center, PO Box 7081, London, KY 40742.
A notice can be received as your qualification for the program and then eligible households should contact for an emergency broadband benefit service plan.
How To Get A Free Laptop From The EBB Program?
As said that, there is some process to get started for EBB program free laptop. But you need to get every detail and information to make sure you are on the right way. There are also processes to get a free laptop from the EBB program and this can also work as your information.
Meet eligibility criteria
As we mentioned, some specific people will be eligible according to their current income that does not let them afford a laptop. It is important to meet eligibility criteria and check if you can qualify.
Get started with the application process
When you meet up all eligibility criteria, you should get started with the application process. There are different processes for application which are in-person and online. When you are going online, you need to visit the EBB website and the website of participating broadband providers. You may visit GetEmergencyBroadband.org to get the list of participating providers.
Approval
When you have successfully applied to the EBB program free laptop, you need to wait for approval. This can be for a shorter period as you will get a notification from EBB that may direct you to collect the voucher. This voucher is used to redeem or purchasing the laptop.
Frequently Asked Questions
So there are some most frequently asked questions to make sure you can learn more. So we have compiled some of the most important questions and answers to get more details on this issue.
How can I sign up for the emergency broadband benefit?
Surely one should sign up for getting any type of assistance for the EBB program free laptop. for this, eligible households can sign up through GetEmergencyBroadband.com. This site can help you sign up for enrolling you in this program. Additionally, you may get information by visiting fcc.gov on a regular basis.
Which broadband providers are participating in the emergency broadband benefit?
Various broadband providers provide a landline or wireless broadband service. These providers can participate EBB program free laptops as part of community help. So you may visit fcc.gov to get to know broadband benefit providers. Additionally, you may check out the list of the participating broadband providers and services, plans for eligible households.
What is the enhanced benefit amount for residents of tribal lands?
There are enhanced benefit amounts for households on tribal lands and it is coming up to $75. Surely this amount is higher to pay the cost of the internet for being a visible online platform. You may visit getemergencybroadband.org to knowing more details on tribal lands.
If I already receive lifeline benefits, will I automatically receive the emergency broadband benefit?
When you are getting benefits from lifeline, it is your eligibility. Surely you should seek the participating broadband providers to get EBB program free laptop or assistance. But you should also check out the broadband providers if they are participating.
Is AT&T participating in the EBB program?
AT&T is one of the country’s giants and leading broadband providers that provides all types of internet and cable service. It is delighted to know that this broadband provider has already participated in the EBB program on May 21, 2021.
How do I choose the right laptop from EBB?
Even if you are going to be eligible households for an EBB program free laptop, it is vital to ensure the best feature of the laptops. There are a lot of issues such as screen, battery capacity, Disk drive, operating system, warranty. You need to make sure the laptop provides the best and accurate features according to your need and work.
Final Verdict
A laptop may be a costly device, but this device helps people stay connected online. When you don’t have any way to buy this device, you may apply under the EBB program free laptop. So you should visit the federal communication commissions and broadband organizations to get more information according to your location. It is just about a simple study, and you should collect authentic information so that you can get the benefit of a laptop quickly.