San Diego Residents Could Be Eligible For A Discount On High-Speed Internet

San Diego County is reminding the public about the upcoming deadline for low-income residents and families to receive discounted high-speed Internet service through the Federal Communications Commission.

According to a press release from the County of San Diego Communications Office, eligible residents and families need to apply by December 31 to receive FCC high-speed Internet discounts through March 2022 through local providers.

To enroll in the program first, submit an application online or go to GetEmergencyBroadband.org to print out a mail-in application. Then, contact your preferred participating provider to select an eligible plan and have the discount applied to your bill.

Discounts will be up to $50 a month for households and up to $75 a month on qualifying tribal lands.

Those who are eligible meet one of the following:

• Has an income at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or participates in certain assistance programs (SNAP, Medicaid, Lifeline, the FCC's Lifeline Support for Affordable Communications progam)
• Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year
• Experienced a substantial loss of income due to job loss or furlough since Feb. 29, 2020
• Meets criteria for a participating provider's existing low-income or COVID-19 program

The FCC created the Emergency Broadband Service discount program during the COVID-19 pandemic to help residents and families stay or get connected to high-speed Internet service.

The program will be replaced by a new FCC discount program in March 2022.