News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Starting Wednesday, May 12th, the federal government will subsidize up to $50 of internet cost for some households through the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program.
Ben Lomand Connect Marketing and Public Relations Manager Bryan Kell said the program will aid families who qualify by providing more affordable costs for internet use.
“I think any time you can receive help on any level, and I think up to $50 on a monthly situation could go towards that,” Kell said. “You’re able to move household dollars around to other areas–food, clothing, different situations like that.”
Kell said those who qualify for the EBBP include those who use federal programs like SNAP, Lifeline, or Medicaid. All Van Buren County Schools students qualify because of their lunch program. EBBP is temporary and will continue until funds run out or until the Department of Health and Human Services declares COVID-19 is no longer an emergency.
“They have set aside so many dollars for this, so right now as it stands is that once those dollars run out, the program will end,” Kell said. “So this is not a permanent plan by any means unless the federal government decides to make it so.”
More than 40 providers are participating in the EBBP in Tennessee alone, including Ben Lomand Connect which services White County, Warren County, parts of Van Buren County, and parts of Cumberland County.
Kell said he hopes people take advantage of programs of this nature because he knows that there many people across the nation who were hurting and still are hurting with the effects of the pandemic.
“Even if they’re not our customers, being able to make folks aware that that is something they can look into, that’s just how we try to take advantage of the communities that we serve,” Kell said.
Kell said that if you think you might qualify for the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program, you have three different ways to apply:
1. The quickest–visit getemergencybroadband.org and apply through their site.
2. Mail an application to the Emergency Broadband Support Center, P.O. Box 7081, London, KY, 40742
3. If you are in a Ben Lomand Connect service area, you can contact their office M-F from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
