From: murphy.s@telecomdigest.net   
      
   Emergency Broadband Benefit Program Transitions to New Affordable   
   Connectivity Program   
      
   --   
      
   WASHINGTON, December 31, 2021--In accordance with Congressional   
   directives in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the Federal   
   Communications Commission today officially launched the Affordable   
   Connectivity Program, the $14.2 billion successor program to the   
   Emergency Broadband Benefit which helped almost 9 million afford   
   internet access during the pandemic. As of today, eligible households   
   are encouraged to apply to receive up to $30 per month discount toward   
   internet service and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying   
   Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount   
   of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from   
   participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than   
   $50 toward the purchase price.   
      
   "The response to the Emergency Broadband Benefit proved what many knew   
   to be true: the cost of high-speed internet is out of reach for too   
   many of us," said FCC Chairwoman Rosenworcel. "Now with the long-term   
   Affordable Connectivity Program, we have the opportunity to enroll   
   even more households and help ensure they can afford the internet   
   connections they need for work, school, health care and more for   
   years."  A household is eligible for the Affordable Connectivity   
   Program if a member of the household meets at least one of the   
   criteria below:   
      
   * Has an income that is at or below 200% of the federal poverty   
     guidelines;   
      
   * Participates in certain assistance programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid,   
     Federal Public Housing Assistance, SSI, WIC, or Lifeline;   
      
   * Participates in Tribal specific programs, such as Bureau of Indian   
     Affairs General Assistance, Tribal TANF, or Food Distribution   
     Program on Indian Reservations;   
      
   * Is 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,   
     2020-2021, or 2021-2022 school year;   
      
   * Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year; or   
      
   * Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider's   
     existing low-income program.   
      
   Rest of press release:   
      
   https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-378908A1.pdf   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)