Internet Access

The Emergency Broadband Benefit is a temporary FCC program to help families and households struggling to afford broadband internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Emergency Broadband Benefit provides:

• Up to $50/month discount for broadband Internet service;
• A one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet purchased through a participating provider if the household contributes more than $10 but less than $50 toward the purchase price.  Please note that not all providers will be offering access to a discounted device.

The Emergency Broadband Benefit is limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount per household. 

The FCC has $3.2 billion dollars available for this program.  Based upon the need across the United States, it is estimated that all funds will be used in approximately 6 months.  Families receiving the benefit will be informed by the provider

The program will end when the money runs out. A total of $3.2 billion dollars is available for this program.  It is estimated that all funds will be used in approximately 6 months.  After the program ends, households will need to opt-in to continue receiving services and they will be billed the provider's general monthly rate. 

All City Schools households are eligible for this program benefit.  This is due to City Schools meeting the conditions necessary so that all families are eligible to receive free and reduced lunch (Community Eligibility Provision).  However, families should only obtain the benefit if a need exists around financial assistance for Internet access. The federal criteria guidelines for families that are not part of a school system in which all students receive free and reduced lunch are as follows:

• Has an income that is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or participates in certain assistance programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid, or Lifeline;
• Receives benefits under the free and reduced-price school lunch program or the school breakfast program, or did so in the 2019-2020 school year;
• Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year;
• Experienced a substantial loss of income due to job loss or furlough since February 29, 2020; or
• Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating broadband provider’s existing low-income or COVID-19 program.

We strongly encourage families that have access to either or both of these services to sign up for this program.  Families that already have a City Schools issued hotspot can determine if virtual schooling needs are met with the services provided under this program.  If a family determines that all Internet needs are being met with only the service provided by this program, we encourage you to return your hotspot.  Families that have Comcast sponsored service (City Schools is paying the monthly cost for your service) that sign up for this program WILL NO LONGER receive financial support from City Schools. 

No, the program is available to anyone that meets any of the following criteria:

• Has an income that is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or participates in certain assistance programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid, or Lifeline;
• Receives benefits under the free and reduced-price school lunch program or the school breakfast program, or did so in the 2019-2020 school year;
• Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year;
• Experienced a substantial loss of income due to job loss or furlough since February 29, 2020; or
• Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating broadband provider’s existing low-income or COVID-19 program.

families for each service provider.  For the next couple of days, please visit the following websites.  We will update this list as we receive more details from these companies and others.

Comcast - https://www.xfinity.com/hub/internet/ebb

Verizon - https://www.verizon.com/home/promo/emergency-broadband-benefit/

AT&T - https://www.att.com/help/ebb/

While this program is for consumers only, City Schools will be livestreaming an information session from YouTube next Friday.  Please visit this page on Friday to get all of the details.  Additionally, we plan in the coming weeks to release more support resources for families so please visit this early next week for details.

Families can sign up for this program starting on May 12, 2021.  We discourage you from signing up for service directly with the companies and strongly suggest that you do so only with the FCC online through the EBB Program website or by calling them directly at 833-511-0311 from 9 am - 9 pm 7 days a week.  We are also advising families to wait until we are able to learn more about the different offers available to you from participating providers so we can provide better guidance.  Please visit this website in the coming days for updates on guidance.