Your Guide to Eligible For Free Or Discounted Internet for Veterans

For years, we’ve helped countless veterans and active-duty military personnel understand and maximize their hard-earned benefits. Nothing frustrates me more than seeing those who have served our country struggle to afford basic necessities like reliable internet. That’s why I’m really fired up about a new initiative that could make many veterans and active-duty military personnel eligible for free or discounted internet. This program, a lifeline in today’s digital world, has the potential to make a tangible difference in your life.

Understanding the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program

This game-changing initiative, officially known as the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program, was launched by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Congress authorized the program during the peak of the pandemic. The program aimed to bridge the digital divide by providing households with affordable internet.

Many think this program ended along with mask mandates and social distancing protocols, but you are in luck because it’s still active. The Emergency Broadband Benefit was replaced by the Affordable Connectivity Program.

Who Is Eligible for Free or Discounted Internet?

Let’s break down those eligibility criteria a bit further. To qualify, your household or a member of your household needs to meet at least ONE of the following:

An income that falls at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
Participation in essential support programs such as SNAP, Medicaid, or Lifeline.
Participation in the free and reduced-price school lunch program or school breakfast program (applicable for households with children).
Receipt of a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year.

You might still be eligible for free or discounted internet, even if your income exceeds the poverty level, if you’ve faced certain life-altering events. These events could include:

Substantial income loss as a direct result of job loss or furlough after February 29, 2020. Your total 2020 income needs to be at or below $99,000 for individuals or $198,000 for those filing jointly.
Meeting the specific eligibility requirements outlined by your chosen internet provider’s existing low-income or COVID-19 program. For instance, the ACP program offers a great resource for affordable internet solutions.

Here’s a helpful tip many veterans overlook: When calculating if you are eligible for a benefit program, include all forms of income, not just your salary.

Unemployment income
Veteran’s benefits
Survivor benefits
Social Security
Retirement income

It’s essential to paint a comprehensive picture of your financial standing to maximize your chances of securing the Affordable Connectivity Program benefit. This is because the benefit program is limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount per eligible household.

Navigating the Application Process

Knowing where to start and whom to contact when dealing with government programs can sometimes feel like navigating a confusing maze. Start by checking out the program’s official website – https://getemergencybroadband.org/. This fact sheet is the most current and up-to-date source of information about the program.

The Affordable Connectivity Program, often called the ACP program, provides a monthly discount on your internet service plan. You will need to choose an internet plan from a participating provider in your area first. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) partners with internet providers to offer these discounts in your area. The Wireline Competition Bureau oversees the benefit program. You should be able to find participating providers offering discounts in your area if your household participates in a qualifying program such as the school lunch program, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Federal Public Housing Assistance, Supplemental Security Income, Medicaid, or the Lifeline program. If your household does not participate in one of these programs you will have to look at the poverty guidelines to determine if your household income qualifies. Once you find out if you are eligible, your next step will be to find an internet provider to provide you with internet access.

Exploring Additional Resources for Free or Discounted Internet

You know I always have your back. So, I’m going to leave you with some extra ammo:

Resource	Description
Emergency Broadband Benefit Program	The official government website for the EBB Program with comprehensive information and application details.
Lifeline Program	A government-assisted program offering discounts on phone and internet services for low-income consumers.
EveryoneOn	A non-profit organization connecting low-income families and individuals to affordable internet service and computers.

The Bottom Line on Getting Internet For Less

Having access to reliable high-speed internet is a necessity, not a luxury in today’s world, yet many veterans and military personnel struggle with its high cost. Don’t hesitate to explore the EBBP and any supplemental support available.

Start taking advantage of your eligibility and leverage those well-deserved benefits.

FAQs About Eligible for Free or Discounted Internet

Can the government pay for my internet?

While it’s not technically paying for internet for every single person, the government, through initiatives like the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBBP), offers significant discounts on monthly internet services. In some cases, it might even mean getting your internet for free. President Biden’s initiative sought comment on how to best target available funding. The Biden-Harris Administration seeks comment from stakeholders on how to best use funding.

Is there any way to get free internet?

Absolutely. Through programs like the EBBP, you might qualify for free internet based on factors like your income, participation in government assistance programs, or even recent job loss. Make sure you check the eligibility requirements I laid out in the post and on the official EBBP website to explore all avenues. President Biden worked to make internet costs more affordable by helping to lower internet costs for millions of Americans. Congressional action provided authority and funding for these discounts. This initiative seeks to make high-speed internet affordable to eligible families and has resulted in 16 million households enrolled. There is even an enrollment freeze that occurred due to concerns about funding, but efforts to secure additional funding are underway.

Do people on social security get free internet?

This one’s a little tricky since there is no straightforward yes or no answer. While being on Social Security alone doesn’t automatically qualify someone for free internet, it might mean your income level sits within the range that makes you eligible for the EBBP, potentially getting you significantly discounted or even free internet service. The key is to proactively check your eligibility status with your internet Global Internet Service Providers.

How can I get $10 a month on wifi?

Getting internet for $10 a month often involves exploring programs specifically designed for affordable connectivity. Initiatives like the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), for instance, bridge the digital divide by making internet services accessible to low-income families and individuals. This program works in tandem with participating Wireless Internet Service Providers, potentially offering you options in that range.

Conclusion

Getting connected digitally opens a world of opportunities – everything from researching veterans’ benefits, staying connected with loved ones through video chats, to seeking telehealth services or pursuing educational opportunities. The EBB program can be your ticket to bridging that gap.

Remember: Stay informed, stay proactive, and, most importantly, stay connected. Do you have experiences or tips on navigating eligible for free or discounted internet programs? I’d love to hear from you.The federal program, referred to as the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), replaces a temporary program that was put in place by Congress to help give people lower-cost internet during the pandemic.

Some individuals may also be able to receive up to a $100 discount on a computer under the program.

If you are interested in utilizing the program, there are several criteria you must meet to be eligible.
To be eligible for the program, a household or household member must:
– Have an income that is at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines or participate in SNAP, Medicaid or Lifeline;
– Participate in the free and reduced-price school lunch or breakfast program;
– Have received a federal Pell Grant during the current year;
– Have experienced a substantial loss of income due to job loss or furlough since Feb. 29, 2020, with a total 2020 income at or below $99,000 for single filers or $198,000 for joint filers; or
– Meet the eligibility criteria for a participating provider’s existing low-income or COVID-19 program.
via Military.com

To get an idea of what income levels qualify, here’s some numbers. In the majority of U.S. states (excluding Hawaii and Alaska), an income equal to 135% of the poverty level for a family of four would be $35,775. If you are only a family of two, that income threshold goes down to $23,517.

You can view this website to calculate other income levels and see if you may be eligible.

Make sure when looking at your individual or family income that you take into consideration not just your salary, but also unemployment income, your veterans’ benefits, survivor benefits, social security, and retirement income.

There are certain exceptions where you can still qualify for the free or discounted internet even if your income is more than the poverty level.

Each household can only be eligible for one internet discount and one computer discount.

IMPORTANT: To get more information, you should visit the programs official site here.

The program officially begins on May 12.

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