| | | | | | | | | TO: | Neighborhood and Quality of Life Committee Members |
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| FROM:
| Alina T. Hudak, City Manager
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| | DATE: | March 7, 2022
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| | SUBJECT: | DISCUSSION REGARDING A CABLE/INTERNET COUPON OR DISCOUNT FOR SENIOR CITIZENS ON A FIXED INCOME. |
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| | | | | | | | HISTORY:
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Commissioner Rosen Gonzalez referred this item to the Neighborhood and Quality of Life Committee (NQLC) at its January 20, 2022, meeting.
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| | | | | | | | ANALYSIS
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The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Infrastructure Act) became law on November 15, 2021. This Act provides funding to prolong and adjust the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBB), which is now called the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The Affordable Connectivity Program is a benefit program that helps to ensure households can afford the broadband they need for work, school, healthcare and more.
The benefits provided through this nationwide program include a discount of up to $30 per month for internet services or up to $75 per month on qualifying Tribal lands as well as discounts for laptops/desktops and even tablets. In order to qualify you must meet at least one of the following criteria:
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Has an income that is at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines; or
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Participates in certain assistance programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid, Federal Public Housing Assistance, SSI, WIC, or Lifeline;
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Participates in Tribal specific programs, such as Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Tribal TANF, or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations;
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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, 2020-2021, or 2021-2022 school year;
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Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year; or
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Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider's existing low-income program
There are at least two participating providers that serve the Miami Beach area; Comcast, which has the “Internet Essentials” program for over 5 years, and AT&T, which has the Affordable Connectivity Program. Both of these programs are going beyond the minimum requirements and providing Free internet services to those that qualify.
The Internet Essentials program has, historically, offered internet access for $9.95. Now, the Internet Essentials program is offering Free internet to qualifying households. This program includes the “Gateway” equipment and installation and offers Xfinity Mobile for $15 a month. Qualifying households can also purchase a laptop or Chromebook for $149.99 plus tax.
The AT&T Affordable Connectivity Program also offers Free internet to qualifying households, including free equipment and installation and in-home Wi-Fi. This program does not offer the ability to purchase low-cost laptops or Chromebooks, however.
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| | | | | | | | CONCLUSION:
Free and very low cost internet connectivity is actively available to residents of Miami Beach, including but not limited to Seniors. In some cases, low cost computers are also available.
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| | | | | | | | | Is this a "Residents Right to Know" item, pursuant to City Code Section 2-14? | | Does this item utilize G.O. Bond Funds? | | | No | | No | |
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