Emergency Broadband Program (EBB) Terms & Conditions

Lifeline program participants are eligible to participate in the new federal government funded Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) Program set to start on May 12, 2021. This page provides required disclosures about the EBB and eligibility for the program, as well as the Terms and Conditions that apply to your participation in the program. If you have additional questions, call us at 855-392-7747 or 611 from your Assist Wireless phone.

The EBB is a temporary program operated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that provides discounts on monthly broadband Internet access service and certain connected devices. Only eligible consumers may receive EBB discounts. The EBB monthly service and device discounts are non-transferable. An eligible household is limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount. You may continue to receive your Lifeline service without enrolling in the EBB program. EBB Program benefits may be obtained from any participating provider of your choosing and your monthly service benefit may be transferred to another provider at any time. When the FCC announces the end of the EBB program or we end our promotional FREE EBB service offer, we will notify you and you will remain on or revert to the standard FREE Lifeline plan where available and if you are eligible. You may choose another broadband plan by paying the applicable undiscounted rate for any of our plans available at that time plus applicable fees and taxes.

The Assist Wireless FREE EBB plan provides Unlimited Talk & Text + 100% FREE Unlimited Data (including the first 4 GBs at 4G LTE speeds, the next 6 GBs at up to 1 Mbps, the next 4 GBs at up to 512 kbps, and remaining data at up to 256 kbps). For any customer who exceeds 20 GBs of data usage in a monthly period, data service will be placed on hold for verification that use of the service is consistent with our Authorized Use Policy (AUP) through the remainder of the period or until the customer contacts Assist Wireless Customer Care to verify use of the service is consistent with our AUP. Customers using the service consistent with our AUP may get an unlimited amount of additional data in 500 MB increments (at 256 kbps) for the remainder of the monthly period by contacting Assist Wireless Customer Care at 855-392-7747 or by dialing 611 from your Assist Wireless phone. For additional information about our network management practices, broadband performance, and commercial terms, visit https://www.assistwireless.com/open-internet-statement/. Our standard terms and conditions, which includes our AUP, also apply and are available at: https://www.assistwireless.com/terms-and-conditions/.

Your EBB plan is separate from your Lifeline plan. If you so choose, your EBB plan can be provisioned alongside your Lifeline plan, using your current phone number, for your convenience.  If you would like to have your EBB plan on a separate device with a different phone number, please call Customer Care at 855-392-7747 or by dialing 611 from your Assist Wireless phone. Additional charges may apply.

You may opt-in for the Emergency Broadband Benefit at the time of enrollment with Assist Wireless or anytime thereafter through the self-service tool. Existing customers can also opt-in by replying to the opt-in SMS. By opting in, you attest that you have read and understand the disclosures described on this page, that you agree to these EBB Terms and Conditions, and that you are opting in to receive your EBB discounted broadband service from Assist Wireless.

By opting-in to the EBB, you authorize Assist Wireless and its contracted partners, for the purpose of applying for, determining eligibility, enrolling in and seeking reimbursement of Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBBP) service and device benefits, to collect, use, share and retain your personal information, including but not limited to information required for the purpose of establishing eligibility for and enrolling in the Lifeline program, and including, but not limited to, full name, full residential address, date of birth, last four digits of social security number, telephone number, eligibility criteria and status, the date on which the EBBP service discount was initiated and if applicable, terminated, EBBP connected device distribution date/type/make and model/status, usage status and other compliance requirements, the amount of support being sought for the service and/or device, and information necessary to establish identity and verifiable address, to the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) to ensure proper administration of the EBBP service and/or connected device benefits. Failure to provide consent will result in your being denied the Emergency Broadband Benefit service and/or the connected device benefits.

You agree that any state, local, Tribal government, school, or school district may share information about your receipt of benefits that would establish eligibility for the EBBP and that such information will be used only to determine EBB eligibility.

You give express consent for Assist Wireless and its contracted partners to contact you to validate your eligibility for or desire to participate in Assist Wireless’s EBB offers and other products and services via email, telephone, or text messaging. Text messaging and data rates may apply. Consent for calls and texts is optional and can be revoked at any time. For more information see our Terms and Conditions at https://www.assistwireless.com/terms-and-conditions/.

EBB FAQs

What is the Emergency Broadband benefit or EBB program?

The EBB is a limited-time program operated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that provides discounts of up to $50 on monthly broadband Internet access service (or up to $75 per eligible household on Tribal lands) and up to $100 on certain connected devices (a co-pay of between $10 and $50 is required). EBB services and devices are subject to consumer eligibility, provider participation, product availability, and FCC/USAC approval.

Who is eligible for EBB discounts on broadband service?

The EBB shares the same qualifying eligibility criteria as the Federal Lifeline program ­– participation in SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, Federal Public Housing Assistance, Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit Fund, and income at or below 135% of the federal poverty level.

For a limited-time determined by the FCC, unemployment may qualify you for Lifeline and the EBB. Additional eligibility criteria are unique to EBB and do not qualify for Lifeline. These include Pell Grants (current award year recipients), Free and Reduced Price School Lunch and Breakfast (including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision), as well as reduced wages in certain instances. EBB eligibility will be determined for the FCC by USAC’s National Verifier and National Lifeline Accountability Database, or an alternative verification process approved by the FCC.

What rules apply to me when I participate in the program?

Only eligible consumers may receive EBB discounts. The EBB monthly service and device discounts are non-transferrable. An eligible household is limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount.

If I already receive Lifeline benefits will I automatically receive the Emergency Broadband Benefit?

No. You must opt-in and choose an eligible EBB service plan.

If you are an existing Assist customer, upgrade to FREE Unlimited Data, Talk, and Text for a limited time only by visiting https://unlimiteddata.assistwireless.com/ or calling us at 611 or 855-392-7747.

If you wish to enroll for Assist Lifeline service and receive the FREE Unlimited Data, Talk, and Text benefit for a limited time only, visit https://enroll.assistwireless.com/.

Can I choose my EBB provider?

EBB program benefits may be obtained from any participating provider of your choosing and your monthly service benefit may be transferred to another provider at any time. Lifeline plans and benefits may be maintained without enrolling in the EBB Program.

How are Lifeline and the EBB different?

Lifeline is the FCC’s permanent program to support affordable access to essential communications services such as broadband Internet access. The EBB is a temporary program through which a participating provider can apply discounts to the same service plan on which you receive Lifeline service or a different service plan.

When will the EBB program end?

The EBB program will expire when funds are exhausted or six months after the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) declares the end of the COVID-19 health emergency. When the FCC announces the end of the program or we end our promotional FREE EBB service offer, we will notify you and you will remain on or revert to the standard FREE Lifeline plan where available and if you are eligible. You may choose another broadband plan by paying the applicable undiscounted rate for any of our plans available at that time plus applicable fees and taxes.

What else do I need to know?

Our standard terms and conditions also apply, available at: https://www.assistwireless.com/terms-and-conditions/, in addition to any others communicated to you that are specific to your service plan. Additional information about our network management practices, broadband performance, and commercial terms is available at https://www.assistwireless.com/open-internet-statement/. For more information about the EBB Program, you can call us at 855-392-7747 or 611 from your Assist Wireless phone.

Medicaid / Medi-Cal

Program Approval Letter, Benefit Statement, or Verification of Coverage Letter, should contain the following basic information:

  • Name of the program or state equivalent,
  • Name of the beneficiary,
  • Address of the beneficiary, and
  • Date of the award

OR

Eligibility Screenshot or printout from an online portal or website tool, should contain the following basic information:

  • Name of the program or state equivalent,
  • Name of the beneficiary
  • Medical Identification number, OR
  • Case number,
  • Eligibility dates, OR
  • Current participation status

Federal Veterans Affairs (VA) Veterans & Survivors Pension Benefit

Pension Grant Letter, should contain the following basic information:

  • Participant’s name
  • Address
  • A decision about the participant’s monthly entitlement amount
  • Payment start date

Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)

FPHA award letter, should contain the following basic information:

  • Name of the program,
  • Date of the award,
  • Name of the beneficiary, and
  • Award amount.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

Approval Letter or Benefit Statement issued by the SSA, or on SSA letterhead.

  • Consumer’s name
  • Date
  • Eligibility Date
  • Claim number OR Other consumer identification number
  • Payment amount

SNAP / Food Stamps / CalFresh

Program Approval Letter, Benefit Statement, or Verification of Coverage Letter, should contain the following basic information:

  • Name of the program,
  • Name of the beneficiary,
  • Eligibility dates, OR
  • Current participation status

OR

Eligibility Screenshot or printout from an online portal or website tool, should contain the following basic information:

  • Name of the program or state equivalent,
  • Name of the beneficiary,
  • Case number,
  • Eligibility dates, OR
  • Current participation status

Lifeline Program

Due to sharing many of the same eligibility requirements those currently enrolled in the lifeline program may qualify for The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) also.