Assistance Program
Lifeline
Emergency Broadband Benefit
What is it?
The Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) is a temporary FCC program to help households struggling to afford internet service during the pandemic.
The benefit provides:
• Up to $50/month discount for broadband service;
• Up to $75/month discount for households on qualifying Tribal lands; and
• A one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet purchased through a participating provider.
Who is eligible?
A household is eligible if one member of the household:
• Has an income that is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guide lines or participates in certain government assistance programs;
• Receives benefits under the free and reduced-price school lunch or breakfast program;
• 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 provider’s existing low-income or COVID-19 program.
How do I apply?
Three Ways to Apply:
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.Call833-511-0311 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
Affordable service. No matter the situation.
Lifeline
Lifeline is an assistance program that can help eligible people afford telephone and broadband Internet service. Tribal Lifeline & Tribal Link Up programs for tribal areas help eligible people on tribal lands afford telephone and broadband Internet service.
Lifeline
Lifeline provides up to a $5.25 discount on the monthly bill for primary home telephone and up to a $9.25 discount on the monthly bill for primary broadband service.
Tribal Lifeline
Tribal Lifeline provides up to a $34.25 discount on the monthly bill for primary home phone or broadband service for residents of tribal lands.
Tribal Link Up
Tribal Link Up provides a discount (up to $100) off initial hook up for primary home service.
Eligibility
Lifeline
Those with an income at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines.
Those participating in at least one of the following:
Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Food Stamps or SNAP), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Federal Public House Assistance (Section 8), and Federal Veterans Affairs (VA) Veterans Pension or Survivors Pension.
Eligibility
Tribal Lifeline/Link Up
One of the following must apply to you:
Resident of tribal lands whose income is equal to or less than 135% of the federal poverty guidelines.
Resident of tribal lands participating in at least one of the following programs:
Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Food Stamps or SNAP), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Federal Public House Assistance (Section 8), Federal Veterans Affairs (VA) Veterans Pension or Survivors Pension, Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Tribally – Administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families ( TTANF), Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), Head Start (income eligible only).
About Lifeline
Additional Info
For more information on Lifeline or Tribal Link Up and Tribal Lifeline, please contact RTC at 0811 or 701.862.3115.
Additional information also included in the Lifeline Worksheet.
Duration
Length of Benefits
If you no longer meet the eligibility guidelines above, you no longer qualify for Link Up or Lifeline and you must inform RTC of your ineligibility.
How-to sign up
Apply for Lifeline/Link Up
You can apply for Lifeline using the National Verifier. You can apply with the National Verifier through RTC, by mail, or online using the consumer portal at www.CheckLifeline.org. Once on the lifeline program, you will be contacted by USAC annually to recertify that you still qualify.
