The Starkville Oktibbeha School District is working with Public Service Commissioner Brandon Presley 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.
Join us on Thursday, October 28, from 5 until 7 pm at Sudduth Elementary School to learn more and get connected to determine if you are eligible to receive your internet discount. Public Service Commissioner Brandon Presley along with local providers will be available to answer questions and help families apply for the Emergency Broadband Benefit to receive a monthly internet discount.
Engaging Excellence at Home: Get Connected! Emergency Broadband Benefit/Internet Discount for Eligible Families
- Thursday, October 28
- 5 until 7 pm
- Sudduth Elementary School Gym
Local service providers that families in Starkville and Oktibbeha County may use for internet access include the following:
- CSPIRE
- MaxxSouth
- AT&T
- 4 County Electric Power
- Franklin Telephone Co
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 Benefit: https://getemergencybroadband.org/
Do I Qualify?: https://getemergencybroadband.org/do-i-qualify/
How to Apply: https://getemergencybroadband.org/how-to-apply/
Service Providers/Companies Near Me: https://www.fcc.gov/emergency-broadband-benefit-providers#Mississippi
Free/Reduced Lunch Status: https://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.