The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has been making millions of Americans face difficulties to maintain their livelihood. With the current economic crisis caused by the shutdown, Americans are struggling to pay their monthly internet bills. During the COVID 19 pandemic, now people are more involved in the internet to perform online classes, jobs, and virtual purposes. In response to the household struggles, the Federal Government created a $3.2 billion fund to provide monthly subsidies to those households.
FCC believes that every family needs affordable internet to stay connected to their virtual activities. For this reason, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced a program in May 2021, named EBB (Emergency Broadband Benefit) program. A monthly discount on EBB allows low-income families to stay connected to the internet so that they can participate virtually in their livelihood. A huge number of Internet service providers are participating in the EBB Program along with FCC. Life Wireless joined with the Federal Government’s EBB program like many other internet providers.
Usually, Life Wireless provides Government-funded wireless service to low-income individuals and families who are eligible. With the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program, this company has come ahead to serve its vast numbers of customers. Life wireless offers free phone service but now, qualified customers can get more extended services even further through Life Wireless EBB program. The purpose of this article is to provide you with an overview of the Life Wireless EBB program benefits, including the application process and others.
How Does Life Wireless EBB (Emergency Broadband Benefit) Program Work?
Due to the pandemic shutdown, many American families are experiencing financial hardship. The Life Wireless Emergency Broadband Benefit program is available to families who qualify. All eligible families will receive a $50 discount on their monthly internet bills. Besides, there is a $10 co-pay option on purchasing a connected device. Since Life Wireless is a dedicated Lifeline provider, it provides a consolidated facility to the people who are both Lifeline and EBB eligible applicants.
So it provides a 30 GB plan of $60 with no charge on it. This consolidated offer will provide 4G/LTE data and unlimited talk and text through this EBB program. FCC also offers a connected device discount for eligible families. Though it is a temporary benefit program and this program is administered by the FCC. The monthly benefit service and device discounts are non-transferable and only allow one discount per household. Besides, FCC will close this temporary program when the fund of $3.2 billion finishes. But it will exist for at least six months. If the EBB program ends, Life Wireless will notify its customers. Then the eligible customer will be reverted to the FREE Lifeline plan.
To get the benefit from Life Wireless, you will have to be eligible as the FCC directs. Life Wireless will automatically onboard you only if you are a Lifeline beneficiary. Otherwise, you will have to prove your eligibility through the National Verifier. There are income-based eligibility and program-based eligibility, you have to meet any of the criteria to get a Life Wireless EBB program discount.
About the Life Wireless
Life Wireless provides Low-income families and individuals with government-funded affordable wireless services through the Lifeline program. It works as a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) that uses the AT&T network. With its services across 29 states across America plus Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, it claims to be the third-largest Lifeline service provider in the US. Life Wireless is proud to sign 1 million subscribers to its Lifeline program. Qualified customers receive free calls and even certain eligible residents can receive free cell phones. This company offers discounts to qualified subscribers who meet eligibility criteria. Lifeline subscribers can enjoy the Life Wireless EBB program plan that includes unlimited talk and text with free 30GB of 4G/LTE.
Services of Life Wireless Program
The services of the Life Wireless program are available in many states. Please note that the services vary depending on the state you live in. The lists of services are given below:
- Nationwide Calling
- Unlimited text messaging
- Call waiting
- Three-way calling
- 500 minutes service
- Voicemail
- Caller ID services
- No roaming charges
- No charges for the domestic long-distance call
- Free 911 Services
- Affordable Recharge Plans
Eligibility Criteria For Life Wireless EBB (Emergency Broadband Benefit) Program
As we mentioned earlier, the FCC has specified some points for the applicant families as eligibility criteria. You may qualify for the Life Wireless broadband discount if any of your household members meet one of the FCC criteria based on income status and/or government assistance membership. For the Life Wireless Emergency Broadband Benefit program, Here are some of the eligibility criteria mentioned below.
- Your household member who lost their job, got a termination letter, or was furloughed since February 29 of 2020 is eligible for EBB.
- The household income should be less than or equal to 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. FCC considers this income as low-income and the household is eligible for the EBB program.
- If the total yearly income of a household is below the FCC range then that household can apply for EBB. For a single filer, the yearly income should be below $99,000 and for joint filers, it should be less than $198,000. The income will be counted in the year 2020.
- FCC considers Lifeline Membership is eligible automatically for the EBB discount. Anyone in your household having Lifeline benefits can enroll directly in Life Wireless. You don’t need to go through the National Verifier. Besides, there are memberships of other government assistance programs that the FCC considers as eligibility criteria for an applicant. They are SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), Medicaid, SSI (Supplemental Security Income), Federal public housing assistance, Veterans survivor Pensions Benefits Fund, etc. Households with these members can enroll as Life Wireless EBB eligible.
- Households, who qualify for the free and reduced-price school lunch/breakfast program through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision may apply for the Life Wireless EBB.
- Anyone who received a federal Pell Grant in the current years can also apply as eligible for the Life Wireless EBB.
Required Documents to Apply For Life Wireless EBB (Emergency Broadband Benefit) Program
FCC determines your eligibility based on the information and documentation you provided in support of your application. FCC requires documentation on the applicant’s identification and household income. The Universal Administrative Service Company executes this process as an independent third party. The National Verifier website works under USAC supervision. To determine your household’s eligibility, the National Verifier needs proper and accurate information and documents. The requirement of exact documentation depends on the state you live in and the criteria you think you meet. Being a participant provider, Life Wireless also determines exactly what documents you should submit. Here we have put together all the required documentation for the Life Wireless EBB eligibility. But you only need to submit the relevant ones
Identity and Address Verification Document
- Social security number/Driver’s license/passport/ID/Taxpayer Identification Number (Individual) with name and date of birth.
Program participation paper
- Federal or Tribal notice letter of participation in General assistance (SNAP, Medicaid, etc.)
- Veterans Administration statement of benefits
- Free or reduced school meal award letter
- Recent Tribal TANF letter or card. Current BIA card
Income or Social Status Statement
- Unemployment statements
- Prior year’s State, Federal or Tribal tax return
- Current income statement
- Tax return in 2019 or 2020
Application Process for The Life Wireless EBB (Emergency Broadband Benefit) Program
The application or enrollment process of the Life Wireless EBB (Emergency Broadband Benefit) program is easy and simple. You just need to find out which eligibility criteria your household meets. Then prepare with the documentation to apply for this temporary benefit program. The complete instructions for the Life Wireless EBB program are given below.
Check Eligibility
First, check the eligibility criteria we mentioned above and make sure that your household is qualified for the monthly discount. There are some ways to check to qualify the process for assistance from the EBB. Go to the website https://www.fcc.gov/consumer-faq-emergency-broadband-benefit to check if you are eligible or not.
Submit your application at the USAC
You can submit your documentation online or by email. The National Verifier will check your documents and information to determine whether you are eligible for EBB program. You will get a notification from the National Verifier on your status.
Contact Life Wireless
Once approved by the National Verifier, call customer care at 1-888-543-3620. They will confirm your eligibility and implement the discount offer to your account. Here the Life Wireless may require some more information and documentation to ensure the benefit properly.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
How long does it take to get approval for Life Wireless EBB program?
Life Wireless reviews the application according to FCC guidelines. They will email you to let you know the status of the enrollment process. Usually, it takes 5 workdays to process after submission of the additional information and documentation. You should keep your inbox in check every while. If Life Wireless approves you, the monthly credit will be added within the next two billing cycles.
How much is the monthly Credit of the Life Wireless EBB Plan?
Eligible customers can receive a monthly credit of 30 GB of $4G/LTE data, unlimited talk, and unlimited text. To know more about the monthly credit of Life Wireless EBB eligibility below or call us at 611-1888-543-3620.
How long will the Life Wireless EBB program last?
According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), this program will last for at least six months. FCC notified that the EBB will end immediately after the Department of The Health Service declares that the emergency is over. Life Wireless will notify all its EBB Customers before the termination of the EBB program.
What happens when the Life Wireless EEB (Emergency Broadband Program) Ends?
The EBB program is temporary and the Federal Government doesn’t have any fixed Expiration Date. Once the EBB program benefit ends, you will have the option to continue the plan with Life Wireless. This company always has concerns for its customers. The customer care officer will inform you about the best plan that can suit you.
Can I receive both the Lifeline and the EBB program at the same time?
Yes, the FCC guidelines allow households to get both the Lifeline and the EBB program Simultaneously. But each eligible household can get only one EBB from a provider.
Final Word
The pandemic shutdown has certainly slowed our progress, but it has also increased internet usage. It is unacceptable to millions of Americans to be deprived of high-speed internet due to the financial struggles created by the income loss during the pandemic. The good part is that the Federal Government’s EBB program has been helping to eliminate the digital divide. The EBB program, through the monthly discount Life Wireless offers, is helping many households stay connected and look for livelihoods through the internet. Here EBB is like a blessing for those who have been thinking of government subsidies. Life Wireless has been marching toward the digital goal successfully since its inception. Now EBB is another milestone of commitment that it has been providing its customers successfully.
