On Wednesday, May 12, low-income families can begin applying for the Emergency Broadband Benefit through the FCC, to help cover the cost of their broadband service and the purchase of a new laptop, desktop or tablet. To be eligible, a family must meet at least one of the following:

• The household suffered a substantial loss of income since the start of the pandemic emergency, set at Feb. 29, 2020. Persons filing under this provision must have 2020 income of less than $99,000 for single tax filers and $198,000 for joint filers.
• The household’s income is less than 135% of the federal poverty level, currently $35,775 for a family of four.
• The household contains at least one child eligible for the free and reduced-price school nutrition program, including low-income-area schools where all children get free lunch and/or breakfast.
• A person in the household receives Pell Grant funding for higher education expenses.
• Someone in the home qualifies for Lifeline subsidized phone service through participation in SNAP, Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income, Federal Public Housing Assistance, or Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit.
• The household meets the eligibility criteria for an internet service provider’s existing low-income or COVID-19 program.
• Someone in the home receives benefits from one of several tribal-specific assistance programs.
  
  

This is a federal program and residents should apply through the FCC.
Learn more here: https://www.fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit