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Program Overview
The Emergency Broadband Benefit is a government benefit program that enables qualified consumers to receive discounted internet service. However, qualifying consumers may only obtain one Emergency Broadband Benefit package per “household.” You cannot transfer your Emergency Broadband Benefit service to any other person.
For the purpose of the Emergency Broadband Benefit, a household is defined as “any individual or group of individuals who live together at the same address and share income and expenses as an economic unit.” A violation of the one-per-household limitation constitutes a violation of the Federal Communications Commission’s regulations governing the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program and will result in the customer’s de-enrollment from the program.
Only “eligible” consumers qualify for the Emergency Broadband Benefit.
The Emergency Broadband Benefit provides $50/mo per eligible households, $75/mo for Tribal lands, and a one-time $100 discount towards the purchase of a laptop, desktop, or tablet, contingent upon participating internet providers contributing $10-$50 towards purchase.
Cal.net’s eligible Wireless Internet plan features:
Availability
Find out if Cal.net’s Emergency Broadband Benefit services are available in your area.
Program Eligibility
Households can qualify for the EBB Program by showing that at least one member of their household meets one of the following criteria:
Participates in the FCC’s Lifeline program.
Has household income at or below 135% of federal poverty limit.
Participates in a Lifeline-qualifying government program: Medicaid, SNAP, Supplemental Security Income (SSI),Federal Public Housing Assistance, Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit, or Tribal Programs for Residents for Qualifying Tribal Lands such as:
Participates in the free and reduced-price school lunch program or school breakfast program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision in the 2019-20 or 2020-21 school year.
Experienced substantial documented loss of income since February 29, 2020 and the household had a total income in 2020 at or below $99,000 for single filers and $198,000 for joint filers.
Received a Federal Pell Grant in the current award year.
Qualifies for a participating provider’s existing low-income or COVID-19 relief program, subject to FCC approval of that provider’s eligibility process.
Household Eligibility
EBB Program determines eligibility by household.
Household is defined as a group of people who live together and share income or expenses, whether related or not.
If more than one household resides at an address, consumers can complete an Independent Economic Household worksheet to show eligibility for the EBB Program.
If one member of the household is eligible, the household can receive EBB Program benefits Households that are eligible for the EBB Program and Lifeline may apply for and receive both benefits.
Call Cal.net at (844)-229-3899 to learn more.
Option 1: Apply with a service provider • The consumer visits a service provider. • The service provider will get the consumer’s consent to enter the consumer’s information into the National Verifier service provider portal. • This is an in-person interaction, where the service provider asks the consumer questions in an interview style approach. | Option 2: Apply online • The consumer visits the National Verifier from any computer or mobile device to complete the electronic application • The consumer contacts a service provider to enroll in the EBB Program. | Option 3: Apply by Mail • The consumer fills out and signs the National Verifier EBB Application Form • The consumer mails the application and supporting documentation to the Emergency Broadband Support Center • Service providers may assist consumers with the paper application and mail it on the consumer’s behalf. |
The National Verifier will use the consumer’s information to perform the following automated checks:
If any of these checks return errors, the consumer will be directed to either resolve the error in the portal or to provide documents.
MAKING A FALSE STATEMENT TO OBTAIN EMERGENCY BROADBAND BENEFIT IS A PUNISHABLE OFFENSE
Consumers must fully understand that if they make false statements in order to obtain the Emergency Broadband Benefit service they can be punished by fine or imprisonment or can be barred from the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program.
THE EMERGENCY BROADBAND BENEFIT SERVICE IS NON-TRANSFERABLE
The Emergency Broadband Benefit service cannot be transferred or conveyed to any other person. If someone else wants Emergency Broadband Benefit service, they must independently apply and qualify on their own.