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Internet Discount Available for Qualifying Families in SOCSD through Emergency Broadband Benefit

Internet Discount Available for Qualifying Families in SOCSD through Emergency Broadband Benefit

The Starkville Oktibbeha School District is working to raise awareness about the Emergency Broadband Benefit, a pandemic-related benefit from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to help lower the cost of broadband service for Yellow Jacket families.      

The Emergency Broadband Benefit program provides a monthly discount of up to $50 for internet service to families who qualify with a participating provider. 

A household is eligible if a member of the household meets one of the criteria below:

  • Has an income that is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or participates in certain assistance programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid, or Lifeline
  • Approved to receive benefits under the free and reduced-price school lunch program or the school breakfast program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision in the 2019-2020 or 2020-2021 school year
  • Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year
  • Experienced a substantial loss of income due to job loss or furlough since February 29, 2020 and the household had a total income in 2020 at or below $99,000 for single filers and $198,000 for joint filers
  • Meets eligibility criteria for a participating provider’s existing low-income or COVID-19 program.

For additional information, check out these helpful links:

About Emergency Broadband Benefithttps://getemergencybroadband.org/

Do I Qualify?https://getemergencybroadband.org/do-i-qualify/

How to Applyhttps://getemergencybroadband.org/how-to-apply/

Service Providers/Companies Near Mehttps://getemergencybroadband.org/companies-near-me

https://www.fcc.gov/emergency-broadband-benefit-providers#Mississippi

Free/Reduced Lunch Statushttps://admin.nlappscloud.com/statuslookup/SelectDistrict

Emergency Broadband Support Center:  (833) 511-0311

Enrollment in the Emergency Broadband Benefit is currently open and is limited to one monthly service discount per household.

Eligible households can enroll through a participating broadband provider or directly with the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) using an online or mail-in application.  Additional information about the Emergency Broadband Benefit is available at  www.fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit or by calling 833-511-0311 between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. any day of the week.