Dear Superintendents and School Leaders,

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has launched a temporary program to help families and households struggling to afford internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Emergency Broadband Benefit provides a discount of up to $50 per month toward broadband service for eligible households 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. The benefit is limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount per household. 

Eligible households can enroll through a participating broadband provider or directly with the Universal Service Administrative Company using an online or mail in application.

Additional details, including eligibility and enrollment information, are available at www.fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit or by calling 833-511-0311.

SDCOE is recommending that districts and charter schools supplying home internet access with the local Broadband Connectivity Grant continue using that funding until it is exhausted before encouraging families to transition into this emergency program. Families participating in Connect2Compete plans can apply for this benefit to eliminate their monthly costs for internet. 

To help you get the word out about this with your families, access the FCC's outreach tools, which include English and Spanish versions of flyers, infographics, a newsletter blurb, and social media posts. Fact sheets and flyers are also available in Arabic, Amharic, Burmese, Chinese-Traditional, Chinese-Simplified, French, Haitian Creole, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Somali, Tagalog, and Vietnamese.

Thank you for all you are doing during these unprecedented times. As always, please let me know if you have any questions or need support.

Sincerely,

Paul

email: [email protected]