During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, internet access shifted from a modern convenience to an absolute necessity. With schools moving online, offices going remote, and healthcare shifting to telehealth, the “digital divide” became a crisis point for millions of Americans.
In response, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) launched the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB), a temporary program designed to keep households connected when they needed it most. While the program is no longer active, it paved the way for subsequent federal internet subsidies.
What Was the Emergency Broadband Benefit?
Launched in May 2021, the EBB was a $3.2 billion federal initiative created by Congress as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021. Its specific goal was to lower the cost of high-speed internet for eligible households during the ongoing public health emergency.
The program offered two primary benefits to qualifying households:
- Monthly Discount: A discount of up to $50 per month towards broadband service for eligible households (and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands).
- Device Discount: A one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers, provided the consumer contributed between $10 and $50 toward the purchase price.
Who Was Eligible?
The EBB had broad eligibility criteria intended to catch those most financially impacted by the pandemic. Households could qualify if a member:
- Had an income at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
- Experienced a substantial loss of income due to job loss or furlough since February 29, 2020.
- Participated in assistance programs like SNAP, Medicaid, or Lifeline.
- Was approved for the free and reduced-price school lunch program.
- Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year.
Why Was It Discontinued?
The Emergency Broadband Benefit was never intended to be permanent. It was designed as a temporary “emergency” stopgap with a fixed budget.
The program was officially discontinued on December 31, 2021, for two main reasons:
- Creation of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP): On December 31, 2021, the EBB transitioned into the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). With this change, the standard monthly benefit dropped from $50 to $30 for most households and the income threshold was raised from 135% to 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, actually allowing more households to qualify despite the lower monthly payment.
- Shift to Long-Term Solutions: Congress passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in late 2021, which recognized that internet affordability was a long-term issue, not just a pandemic emergency. This legislation created a replacement program with a larger budget ($14.2 billion) intended to last longer.
It is important to note that while the ACP successfully replaced the EBB for several years, the ACP itself faced funding challenges. As of mid-2024, the Affordable Connectivity Program also wound down due to a lack of additional funding from Congress.
How to Get Help Now
With the discontinuation of federal pandemic-era programs, you may be wondering what options are still available to keep your bill manageable. We have compiled an updated list of currently operational programs, including the Lifeline program and provider-specific low-income tiers. Click here to read our guide on How to Get Free (or Almost Free) Internet.
Relief Recap
While the Emergency Broadband Benefit is a thing of the past, the need for affordable connection remains. We hope our updated resources help you find a new path to staying online and connected to what matters most.
This article was updated with the help of AI. It was fully fact-checked by Nicole Thelin.