Paul Bunyan Communications announced that discounts may be available to eligible customers, thanks to a new $3.2 billion program from the FCC.
According to a release, the benefit program provides a discount of up to $50 per month toward broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for qualifying households on tribal lands.
The benefit also provides up to a $100 per household discount toward the purchase of a computer, laptop or tablet, but Paul Bunyan Communications is not a participating provider for that specific benefit option.
A household is eligible if one member of the household meets at least one of these criteria:
- An income that is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or participates in certain assistance programs such as SNAP, Medicaid or the FCC’s Lifeline program;
- Approved to receive benefits under the free and reduced-price school lunch program for the 2019-20 or 2020-21 school years;
- Received a federal Pell Grant during the current award year;
- Experienced a substantial loss of income through job loss or furlough since Feb. 29, 2020, and the household had a total income in 2020 at or below $99,0000 for single filers and $198,000 for joint filers; or
- Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider’s existing low-income or COVID-19 program.
Enrollment for this benefit program begins on May 12. Eligible households can enroll through Paul Bunyan Communications or directly with the Universal Service Administrative Company.
