Monterey County Residents Still Have Time to Sign up for Affordable Broadband Service and Receive Maximum Benefits

Monterey County sign up rates idling despite significant pandemic impacts As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact our lives, internet connectivity is more critical than ever to access essential services including education and healthcare. The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program, a national program which launched earlier this year, provides eligible households with up to $50 per month discounted from their internet service and sign-ups are still being accepted. But only a small number of Monterey County residents have signed up for this emergency support: 8,121, despite the fact that so many in our community continue to struggle with the economic impacts of COVID-19. All residents are encouraged to see if they qualify for this assistance. If you qualify and enroll, you can get this discount automatically taken off your monthly bill. While this program will continue in 2022, this level of support won’t be offered next year. “Having affordable internet service is critical to closing the digital divide in California,” says Monterey County Supervisor Luis Alejo. “We hope that every eligible Monterey County resident signs up for this program that will significantly lower the cost for internet service in each household.” You are eligible for broadband benefits if someone in your household: • Gets Medi-Cal • Gets EBT (CalFresh or CalWORKS) benefits • Lost a job or was furloughed o And your income is below $99,000 if filing taxes individually or $198,000 if filing jointly • Gets lunch through the free, reduced-price school lunch program this year/last year • Got a Pell Grant this year • Qualifies for Lifeline phone benefits • Qualifies for an internet provider’s existing low-income (or COVID-19) broadband program • Has an income of less than $12,880 for a family of 1 and up to $44,660 for a family of 8. In 2022, this broadband support program will continue but qualifications will change and subsidies will be slightly reduced. Those who have signed up by December 31, 2021 will continue to receive the maximum benefits until March 1, 2022 when this program transitions to the new long-term Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). Find out if you qualify and get the most benefits you can from this program. www.getemergencybroadband.org.