Eligibility

Who is eligible for the Emergency Broadband Benefit?

A household is eligible if one member of the household:

• Qualifies for the Lifeline program;
• Receives benefits under the free and reduced-price school lunch program or the school breakfast program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision, 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 since February 29, 2020 and the household had a total income in 2020 below $99,000 for single filers and $198,000 for joint filers; or
• Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating providers’ existing low-income or COVID-19 program.

How do I enroll in the program to receive the benefit?

Households can sign up for the EBB program through the (1) a participating provider's website, (2) applying online through the National Verifier, (3) or through the mail. A start date for enrollment has not yet been announced.

See Enrollment Process 

Can I apply for the Emergency Broadband Benefit if I have a past due balance with the provider?

Yes, eligible consumers with a past due balance or a balance in collections are eligible for the benefit.

Can I sign up for the Emergency Broadband Benefit if I am already a customer or if I was a customer in the past?   

Yes, the benefit is available to eligible new, prior and existing customers of participating providers.

Can my roommate and I each get a monthly discount?   

The Emergency Broadband Benefit is limited to one monthly service discount per household, which is defined as any individual or group of individuals who are living together at the same address and share income and expenses. Learn more about how a household is defined by visiting this site:

If I already receive Lifeline benefits will I automatically receive the Emergency Broadband Benefit?   

No, enrollment will not be automatic. You must opt-in with your existing provider or request enrollment in the Emergency Broadband Benefit program with a participating broadband provider and chose an eligible service plan. You can choose to receive the benefit from your current Lifeline service provider or another participating provider.

What is Lifeline and how do I apply for Lifeline in Oregon? see Lifeline 

Can I receive both the Emergency Broadband Benefit and Lifeline benefits at the same time?   

Yes. You can also combine these benefits with other state and local benefits where available. They can be applied to the same qualifying service or separately to a Lifeline service and an Emergency Broadband Benefit service with the same or different providers. For example, an eligible household could have a Lifeline-supported mobile phone service and a separate home broadband service that is supported through the Emergency Broadband Benefit.

Everyone at my child’s school receives breakfast and lunch at no cost. Do we qualify?   

Yes. Households with a student enrolled in a school or school district where every student receives this benefit are eligible for the Emergency Broadband Benefit.

I live in an apartment building and I pay the property manager/landlord a monthly fee for our Internet. Can I get the Emergency Broadband Benefit?   

Yes, if the internet service provider is a participating EBB provider. If you qualify for the Emergency Broadband Benefit, talk to your property manager/landlord and ask that they work with their broadband service provider to learn more about the service level offerings that might be available to you and other eligible residents and how to enroll to receive the benefit.

I am a Comcast Internet Essentials subscriber (or have been in the past). Does my current subscription (or past participation) in that program qualify me for the Emergency Broadband Benefit?   

If you are a current subscriber of Comcast Internet Essentials then you are eligible but must still enroll in the program. see Enrollment below

Check with Comcast about the process to re-subscribe and enroll in the program if you were approved for Comcast Internet Essentials, but are no longer a current subscriber.