Program to help with Internet cost
Staff writer
A new federal program will help low-income residents pay for Internet services.
The program replaces last year’s Emergency Broadband Benefit, which expired in December.
Internet providers for people on the old program are expected to let them know they have until March 1 to ask to switch to the new program, which has higher income limits, allowing more people to qualify.
To qualify, an individual may have no more than $25,760 in annual income. For a household of two, the maximum is $36, 620; for three, it’s $43,920; for four, $53,000. For each additional family member, add $4,540.
Families receiving supplemental nutrition assistance, federal public housing assistance, Medicaid, supplemental security income, Lifeline, free or reduced school lunches, or federal Pell Grants automatically qualify.
The program provides a $30 a month discount on broadband service and a one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet purchased through a participating provider if the household contributes toward the purchase price.
More information is available at https://kcc.ks.gov/public-affairs-and-consumer-protection/kansas-lifeline-program.