THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JUNE 11, 2021 Page 27 S y Senior H li S i Fid Dit d Sa e a BY JIM MILLER elping Seniors Find Discounted High-Speed Internet Services Dear Savvy Senior, Do you know where I can fi nd cheaper high-speed internet services for my home? I’m 70-years old and live strictly on my Social Security and would like to fi nd something faster and less expensive than I currently have. Surfi ng Susan Dear Susan, There are actually two new resources available today that can help you save money on your home internet services, but what’s available to you will depend on your income level and where you live. Here’s where to begin. Internet Discounts Depending on your financial situation, a good fi rst step to reducing your home internet costs is through the new Emergency Broadband Benefi t (EBB) program. This is a temporary federal benefi t that provides a discount of up to $50 per month towards broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute $10 to $50 toward the purchase price. To qualify, you’ll need to show that your annual household income is at or below 135 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, which is $17,388 for one person or $23,517 for two. Or, if you’re receiving certain types of government benefi ts such as Medicaid, food stamps (SNAP), SSI, public housing assistance, veterans’ pension or survivors pension benefi t, or live on federally recognized tribal lands. Households that experienced a substantial loss of income since February 29, 2020 due to job loss or furlough can also qualify for the EBB program, as long as their household income for 2020 was at or below $99,000 for single fi lers and $198,000 for joint fi lers. To apply, go to GetEmergencyBroadband.org where you can apply online or print out an application and mail it in. If you’re already receiving assistance through the federal Lifeline benefi t (see LifelineSupport.org), which is a $9.25 monthly subsidy for phone or internet costs, you automatically qualify for the EBB program, and you can receive both benefi ts at the same time. You can apply your EBB and your Lifeline benefi t to the same or separate services. Or, if your broadband provider already has its own low-income or COVID-19 relief program, you may be able to qualify through this program as well. Talk to your broadband provider for more information. Low-Cost Internet If you’re not eligible for the EBB program, another resource for locating cheaper highspeed internet is Aging Connected, which has a higher income qualifi cation. Created by Older Adults Technology Services from AARP (OATS) and the Humana Foundation, Aging Connected is a nationwide campaign created to help lower-income seniors fi nd low-cost, inhome broadband options in their area. Partnering with telecommunications companies, nonprofits and public entities, Aging Connected will help you search for services in your area that provide high-speed internet at a very low cost. Most participating companies charge around $10 to $15 per month, with no contract and no equipment fee. Aging Connected also provides referrals to affordable desktop and laptop computers for under $160. To qualify, you’ll need to show that your annual household income is at or below 185 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, which is $23,800 for one person or $32,200 for two. Or, if you’re receiving certain types of government benefi ts similar to the EBB program. To search, go to AgingConnected.org and type in your ZIP code, name and email address, or you can call 877-745-1930. Other Search Options If you fi nd that you’re not eligible for either of the previously listed resources, you may still be able to save on your internet by shopping and comparing. The best way to do this is at websites like InMyArea. com and BroadbandNow.com, both of which provide a list of internet providers in your area, along with pricing and download speeds. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. For Advertising with Results, call The Advocate Newspapers at 617-387-2200 or Info@advocatenews.net Senio nior nir ior
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