As hurricanes batter the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States, many people’s livelihoods are on hold and they’re struggling to make ends meet. The FCC just decided that anyone affected by a natural disaster can get a break on broadband and mobile service; it’s not much, but every little bit counts.
The Lifeline program is a long-running program that helps lower the cost of internet access for anyone that, temporarily or chronically, finds it difficult to pay for. Like any cash-assistance program, it has had its ups and downs over the years as officials quibble over who qualifies and for how much.
Right now, though, all you need to know is that if you’ve been affected by a recent storm, or if another comes along this season, you qualify for a few bucks off your internet bill. Here’s what the FCC writes:
Because of the exigent circumstances that arose from Hurricane Milton, we find that there is good cause for further action to expeditiously ensure that households receive critical assistance for their communications needs in the aftermath of hurricanes and other tropical weather systems in the near term. As such […] we temporarily waive the Lifeline eligibility requirements to permit households not already enrolled in the Lifeline program to enter the program if they are receiving [FEMA assistance] as a result of the impacts of Hurricane Milton or other hurricanes or other tropical weather systems that result in a Presidential declaration of emergency or major disaster that occur during the next six months.
The maximum subsidy of $9.25 isn’t exactly life-changing, but for a lot of people hit by these storms, that’s a meal they might not have been able to afford otherwise. It’s also likely not the only assistance you can get — sign up for the Lifeline stuff here and poke around to see if those benefits can be extended, increased, or if multiple members of the family (each with their own mobile phone bill, for instance) can claim them.
If you qualify for one, you probably qualify for a bunch. So if you’re struggling due to storm-related issues, whether that’s that your home is flooded, your workplace is shut down, or anything else — give it a shot.
Start here to apply. It doesn’t cost anything. The current waiver expanding the conditions for Lifeline access will last for six months, but I would be shocked if this didn’t become a regular thing.