Helping households connect

Jo-Carroll Energy, with its Sand Prairie broadband service, has been approved as a provider for the new program designed to help eligible households pay for internet service.

The temporary program was launched by by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to help families and households struggling to afford internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) provides an on-bill credit of up to $50 per month toward select internet services for qualifying households.

Who is eligible?

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

• Has an income that is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or participates in certain government assistance programs.

• Receives benefits under the free or reduced-price school breakfast or lunch programs.

• Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year.

• Experienced a substantial loss of income due to job loss or furlough since Feb. 29, 2020.

How do members apply?

Members interested in applying for assistance must:

• First apply for the EBB program and be approved by the Universal Service Administration Co. (USAC). More information can be found here: GetEmergencyBroadband.org

• Once eligibility is approved, complete a benefit enrollment request an application with Jo-Carroll Energy. A webpage including the application form and additional information is available at connectSP.com/ebb.

The program will end when the fund runs out of money, or six months after the Department of Health and Human Services declares and end to the COVID-19 health emergency, whichever is sooner.