Apply May 12 for the Emergency Broadband Benefits Program
Starting May 12, 2021, Otis Fiber offers the Emergency Broadband Benefit, a new Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program. The temporary benefit will offer a $50 discount for broadband service for eligible households in Westfield and all Massachusetts towns served by Whip City Fiber during the on-going COVID-19 pandemic.
A household is eligible if one member of the household meets at least one of the following criteria:
—Has an income that is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or participates in certain assistance programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid or the FCC’s Lifeline program;
—Is approved to receive benefits under the free and reduced-price school lunch program or the school breakfast program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision, in the 2019-2020 or 2020-2021 school year;
—Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year;
—Experienced a substantial loss of income through 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.
Emergency Broadband Benefit enrollment will begin on May 12, 2021. Eligible households can enroll directly through Whip City Fiber at www.whipcityfiber.com/promo/ebbp Additional information about the Emergency Broadband Benefit is also available at www.whipcityfiber.com/promo/ebbp. Customers can get assistance with their application by calling 833-511-0311 between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. any day of the week.
Once enrolled, customers will need to contact Whip City Fiber at 413-485-1251 to activate the discount on their account.
