Emergency Broadband Benefit Program FAQs

Looking for Affordable Connectivity Program FAQs?

 

I was enrolled in the EBB Program

I have questions about the EBB Program

 

I was enrolled in the EBB Program

What happened to the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program?
Congress created the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), a new longer-term $14 billion program, which replaced the EBB Program. This investment in broadband affordability will help ensure qualifying households can afford the connections needed for work, school, health care and more. For more information, please visit ACPBenefit.org.

Why did the credit amount on my bill change?
The maximum monthly benefit changed from $50 to $30 for households not located on qualifying Tribal lands when the EBB Program changed to ACP.

What changed from the EBB Program to the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)?

  • Monthly Benefit: The maximum monthly benefit changed from $50 to $30 for households not located on qualifying Tribal lands.
  • New qualification criteria: The qualifying criteria for ACP expanded to include households receiving Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Additionally, households with gross annual household income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines are eligible.
  • Removal of some qualification criteria: Households that experienced a pandemic related substantial loss of income or were participants in their service provider’s pandemic related low-income program no longer automatically qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program.
 

What if I was enrolled in the EBB Program?
Households enrolled in the EBB Program before 6 pm Eastern on December 30, 2021 that qualified have transitioned to ACP. Please check out our ACP FAQs for more information.

What happens if I didn’t respond the request to verify my eligibility or if I don't qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program?
If you didn't respond to the request from the Universal Service Administrative Company (the program administrator) to verify your eligibility, or if you don't meet the qualification requirements, you've been de-enrolled from the program and the Internet credit has been removed from your account. If this happens, and you believe that you still qualify, you should re-apply at Optimum.com/ACP as soon as possible.

If I didn’t receive any notice of request to verify my eligibility, do I need to do anything to get ACP?
Households enrolled in the EBB Program before 6 pm Eastern on December 30, 2021 that qualified have transitioned to ACP. Please check out our ACP FAQs or visit ACPBenefit.org for more information.

How long will the monthly Emergency Broadband Benefit Program credit last?
The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program has been replaced with the Affordable Connectivity Program. Households that were enrolled in the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program as of 6 pm Eastern on December 30, 2021 that qualified have transitioned to the Affordable Connectivity Program. Final EBB Program credits were issued before March 1, 2022.

About the EBB Program

What was the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program?
The temporary Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) Program, which was part of the federal COVID-19 relief bill package, allowed Optimum the ability to offer a subsidy to help pay for Internet service to eligible households that qualified based on Federal Government rules between May 12, 2021 and December 30, 2021 when the program was officially replaced by the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). Households that were enrolled in the EBB Program at 6pm Eastern on December 30, 2021 qualified to participate in a 60-day transition period ending on March 1, 2022 that allowed them to receive the EBB Program benefits until the transition ended if they remain qualified.

Can I still apply to receive the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program credit with Optimum?
Although the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program is no longer available, low-income households may be eligible to participate in the Affordable Connectivity Program, the replacement for the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program, which launched on December 31, 2021. For more information and to apply, visit us at Optimum.com/ACP.

How much was the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program monthly credit?
Qualifying households received an Emergency Broadband Benefit Program credit of up to $50 per month (or up to $75 per month for households on Tribal Lands) towards their Internet service and equipment.

How were households determined eligible for the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program?
New and existing Optimum Internet service customers were able to participate in the EBB Program. To qualify, a member of the household must have met one of the following conditions:

  • Lifeline eligible
  • Laid off or furloughed on or after February 29, 2020 (provided that your income was not greater than $99K for single filer or $198K for joint filers)
  • Free or reduced school lunch or breakfast program eligible in the 2019-2020, 2020-2021, or 2021-2022 school years
  • Pell Grant recipients in the current award year
  • New York City resident attending New York City public school
 

If you think you might qualify for the EBB Program replacement, known as the Affordable Connectivity Program, please visit Optimum.com/ACP to apply! Additional information can be found on Optimum’s Affordable Connectivity Program FAQs page.

What are the eligibility requirements for Lifeline?
You qualify for Lifeline if you or your dependent is eligible to participate in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)/Food Stamps, Medicaid, Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI), Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA), Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefits, or if your gross annual income is 135% or less than the federal poverty guidelines for the relevant year and household size. To learn more about the Lifeline eligibility requirements, please visit lifelinesupport.org.

Who developed the eligibility criteria for the Emergency Broadband Benefit program?
The Federal Communication Commission (FCC) adopted the rules and polices creating and governing the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program. The Commission’s Wireline Competition Bureau, other Commission staff, and the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) oversee and administer the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program.

Was a household allowed more than one Emergency Broadband Benefit Program credit? What if two people in the house have separate finances?
Only one Emergency Broadband Benefit Program credit was available per household as defined by the FCC. To learn more about living arrangements that qualify as a household, please visit https://www.lifelinesupport.org/what-is-a-household.

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