If the COVID-19 pandemic has shown us anything, it’s that access to high-speed internet is not a luxury; it’s a necessity. The pandemic has also exposed the level of reliance we have on high-speed internet. Helping older adults get and stay connected to high-speed internet is a key area of focus for AARP.

Navigating telehealth, working and learning remotely, and staying connected with family members are only a few of the critical tasks that require a high-speed connection. Unfortunately, too many Connecticut residents struggle to afford the costs or live in an area without service. 

AARP Connecticut is encouraging residents who are without access to high-speed internet, or struggling to afford it, to look into the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) program. The EBB is a $3.2 billion Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program to help Americans access the affordable, high-speed internet they need during the COVID-19 pandemic. The EBB program launched at the end of April and will end once the funds have been depleted. 

What is the benefit? 

Under this short-term program, Connecticut residents may be eligible for a discount on their high-speed internet service of up to: 

• $50/month discount for high-speed internet services. 
• $75/month discount for high-speed internet services for households on Tribal lands.
• A one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet purchased through a participating provider. 

Who qualifies for the benefit? 

Many Connecticut residents may have experienced financial setbacks during the pandemic or are struggling to get by, which could qualify them for the program. The criteria set for the EBB include those who: 

• Qualify for the Lifeline program, as well as those who participate in certain federal assistance programs, such as Medicaid, SNAP, and SSI benefits. 
• Experienced a substantial loss of income since February 29, 2020, and the household had a total income in 2020 below $99,000 for single filers and $198,000 for joint filers. 
• Meet the criteria for a participating internet provider’s existing low-income or COVID-19 program. 

How to apply 

Eligible households will enroll through participating broadband providers. AARP encourages Connecticut residents who are without access to high-speed internet, or struggling to afford it, to look into the EBB program. 

For more information about EBB, visit www.aarp.org/EBB, text INTERNET to 22777, or call 1-833-511-0311. We also encourage you to listen to a replay of a live, interactive Telephone Town Hall AARP Connecticut held on the subject on September 30. You will hear me discuss details about the Emergency Broadband Benefit program with Eduard Bartholme, Associate Bureau Chief of Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau with the Federal Communications Commission, and Burt Cohen from the Connecticut Office of Consumer Counsel. You can listen to the replay at Facebook.com/AARPCT or vekeo.com/AARPConnecticut. 

Nora Duncan is the state director for AARP Connecticut.