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WASHINGTON—Congressman Paul D. Tonko announced today that the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) Program has officially launched, and he is encouraging constituents to check if they are eligible to receive a discount on their monthly internet bill through the program. 

The new Emergency Broadband Benefit Program will help millions of lower-income Americans afford their monthly internet bill. Congress created the $3.2 billion program as part of the last omnibus appropriations bill in December. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has just confirmed that open enrollment in the program starts today. This broadband safety net program will provide between $50 and $75 off the monthly cost of home internet service for families in need, and may also provide an additional subsidy for a computer. Internet providers who participate in the program can apply to the FCC for reimbursement.

“Internet service is a necessity today, not a luxury,” Congressman Tonko said. “With more of us working, learning and connecting with friends and loved ones remotely than ever before, every American family needs to be able to access reliable, affordable broadband internet. That’s why I have worked for years to improve and expand internet access, including writing and delivering my ACCESS BROADBAND Act into law and helping lead the charge to create this new and vital broadband link in America’s safety net. I encourage anyone across our Capital Region who may be struggling right now to take a look and see if they qualify for this new program. If you are eligible, you can sign up by contacting a local internet service provider. My office is, as always, ready and eager to help constituents needing additional support in this process, and I will continue to work in Congress to expand internet access and improve affordability so that every household in America, regardless of zip code, has reliable, high-speed service.”

Rep. Tonko has fought on multiple fronts to improve broadband access, combining greater oversight and accountability for federal broadband resources with expanded federal investments in public and private broadband infrastructure. His bipartisan legislation, H.R. 1328, the ACCESS BROADBAND Act—to expand broadband access in underserved areas and create a simpler process for small businesses and local economic developers to access federal broadband resources—was signed into law last year.

Households interested in learning whether they qualify are encouraged to visit the FCC’s new enrollment website—https://getemergencybroadband.org/—and then sign up for the program through their internet service provider.

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