How To Get Up To $50 Off Your Cell Phone Bill Right Now

Photo by Joyce Busola on Unsplash

Could you stand to lower your cell phone bill? Some major wireless carriers are offering customers $50 a month off if they take advantage of a new program.

The Temporary Emergency Broadband Benefit is a federal government program that provides eligible customers a benefit of up to $50/mo. on home or wireless internet service.

Who’s Eligible For The Temporary Emergency Broadband Benefit?

You might be wondering if you qualify for the program. If you’ve been financially affected by COVID-19 or currently participate in financial assistance programs, you could be eligible.

Here are the eligibility rules according to the FCC:

  • Has an income that is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or participates in some assistance programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid, or Lifeline;
  • Approved for free and reduced-price school lunch program.
  • Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year.
  • Experienced a substantial loss of income due to job loss or furlough since February 29, 2020 and the household had a total income in 2020 at or below $99,000 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.

The temporary relief program is for all those who are eligible to participate. If you live on federally designated tribal land, you can get up to $75 off on your cell phone bill.

How To Apply

You can apply for the Temporary Emergency Broadband Benefit in one of three ways:

  1. Contact your preferred participating broadband provider directly to learn about their application process.
  2. Go to GetEmergencyBroadband.org to apply online and to find participating providers near you.
  3. Call 833-511-0311 for a mail-in application, and return it along with copies of documents showing proof of eligibility to:

Emergency Broadband Support Center
P.O. Box 7081
London, KY 40742

Final Thoughts

Families will qualify for only one monthly benefit per household on a qualifying mobile broadband service plan.

If your carrier is Cricket Wireless, the company reserves the right to cancel the monthly benefit at any time. If your monthly service charge is $0 after the benefit, you must use the service each month, or the benefit will be discontinued. 

Are you trying to become more financially literate? Check out Money Mondays at AtlantaFi.com, where we’ll share strategies to save and make cash.

If saving money is something you’re serious about, AtlantaFi.com has a lot of resources to help you.
Read more:
Tee Johnson: Tee Johnson is the co-founder of AtlantaFi.com and as an unofficial ambassador of the city, she's a lover of all things Atlanta. She writes about Travel News, Events, Business, Hair Care (Wigs!) and Money.