New interactive map shows county-level data on uptake of emergency pandemic benefit for broadband access

Rural enrollment in Emergency Broadband Benefit by eligibility
(Rural LISC map; click the image to enlarge it or click here for the interactive version)

"A new mapping tool shows where households have taken advantage of a federal stimulus program that defrays some of the cost of broadband for lower-income Americans," Kristi Eaton reports for The Daily Yonder. "The tool, which was created through a partnership between Rural Local Initiatives Support Corporation and the nonpartisan nonprofit Heartland Forward, was designed to help target families that may qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program but who aren’t participating."

The program provides several benefits: a one-time discount of up to $100 to buy a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer; and a monthly discount of up to $30 a month for internet service. Those living on tribal lands can get up to $75 per month toward their internet service, Eaton reports.

"The interactive map overlays enrollment data from the previous iteration of the discount program (called the Emergency Broadband Benefit, or EBB) with data on the communities that have the highest levels of eligibility for the program. The result shows where there are large proportions of households who qualify for the program but didn’t enroll," Eaton reports. The tool "could help identify communities where families are likely eligible for the program but haven’t enrolled."

The map reflects Census data showing which households are at or below 135% of the federal poverty rate, which is one of the qualifiers for EBB. "According to the map’s estimate, the national average of EBB enrollment for households that were eligible was just 17%. In the new ACP program, eligibility increases to 200% of the federal poverty level," Eaton reports. "There are plans to update the map with data from ACP."