School City of Hammond families can apply for the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) program beginning today. This is a temporary federal program through the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that helps eligible families and households struggling to afford broadband internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The program will end once the program funds are exhausted, or six months after the Department of Health and Human Services declares an end to the pandemic, whichever comes first.
The program provides eligible households with discounts of up to $50 a month for broadband service. It also provides a one-time discount of up to $100 on a computer or tablet for eligible households. Under the law, all SCH families participating in the Free Breakfast and Lunch program qualify for this program. Families can sign up here.
SCH also works with the following partners to provide EBB families with technology assistance:
- WOW! Internet: This partner offers no-cost or reduced-cost high-speed internet plans to EBB-qualified new or existing WOW! customers. Call 888-640-1821 or visit the WOW website to sign up.
- T-Mobile: This partner offers EBB-eligible households an unlimited data tablet and a 20GB hotspot. Visit a nearby T-Mobile store to sign up.
- American Broadband & Telecommunications Co.: When signing up for internet service, this partner issues an 8” Android Tablet with a hotspot ($14.95 shipping fee). Families can sign up here.