Congressman Joe Morelle Announces Action to Close the Digital Divide

(Rochester, NY)—Today, Congressman Joe Morelle announced action to help make broadband internet more affordable and accessible for families. The Affordable Connectivity Program, included as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Rep. Morelle helped pass, extends the Emergency Broadband Benefit to reduce the cost of monthly internet bills for the middle-class.

“This pandemic has underscored that reliable internet access is necessity, and the Emergency Broadband Benefit program has helped millions of families afford service during these challenging times,” said Congressman Joe Morelle. “I was proud to help pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and enact the long-term Affordable Connectivity Program to expand eligibility and help even more families in Monroe County save on their monthly bills as we work to close the digital divide.” 

According to a report prepared by ROC the Future Alliance, roughly 20 percent of Rochester residents do not have internet access, an issue that disproportionately impacts black and brown communities, seniors, and low-income households. That same report found that nearly every household has the infrastructure to accept broadband internet, indicating that the barrier to delivering access to our families is the cost of the service.

Benefits of the Affordable Connectivity Program include:

• Up to a $30/month discount on the monthly cost of internet service
• Up to a $75/month discount for households on qualifying Tribal lands and other rural areas
• A one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer (with a co-payment of more than $10 but less than $50)

Eligibility is based on the following criteria:

• Income that is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines; 
• Participation in certain assistance programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid, Federal Public Housing Assistance, SSI, WIC, or Lifeline;
• Approval to receive benefits under the free and reduced-price school lunch program or the school breakfast program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision;
• Receiving a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year; or
• Meeting the eligibility criteria for a participating broadband provider’s existing low-income program.

Emergency Broadband Benefit recipients fully enrolled as of December 31, 2021 will automatically continue to receive their current monthly benefit until March 1, 2022. Learn more about steps you may need to take to stay enrolled after March 1st, by visiting fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit.