President Biden Is Offering High-Speed Internet for Low-Income Households

President Joe Biden's administration has announced its latest initiative: high-speed internet for low-income families.

Through this program, millions of low-income families in suburban, rural, and urban areas will gain access to the internet at a reduced cost.

The beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic amplified how many families struggled with poor internet speeds or no access at all.

When children were forced to participate in school from home, many families struggled. As the scope of the pandemic continues to evolve, Biden's administration is now offering reduced-cost internet for millions of families.

Here's Biden's internet offer explained — and how to know if you qualify.

The Biden Administration released a statement that announced its high-speed internet initiative for low-income families.

"As part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the president and vice president worked with Democrats and Republicans to create the affordable connectivity program which allows tens of millions of American households to reduce their internet service costs by up to $30/month, (or $75/month on Tribal Lands)."

According to the statement, the act has rallied several internet service providers which will encompass 80 percent of the United States. The efforts will bring high-speed internet to rural and urban areas "for no more than $30/month."

To the administration, high-speed is characterized by being one that "offers download speeds of at least 100 Megabits per second everywhere that the provider's infrastructure is capable of it."

The following providers will offer internet to qualifying families for $30/month or less without additional fees or caps on data:

• Allo Communications
• AltaFiber (and Hawaiian Telecom)
• Altice USA (Optimum, Suddenlink)
• Astound
• AT&T
• Breezeline
• Comcast
• Comporium
• Frontier
• IdeaTek
• Cox Communications
• Jackson Energy Authority
• Mediacom
• MLGC
• Spectrum
• Starry
• Verizon
• Vermont Telephone Company
• Vexus Fiber
• Wow! (Internet, Cable, and TV)

Per the statement, "Experts estimate that 48 million households or nearly 40 percent of households in the country– qualify for the ACP. The estimation is based on the family's income being at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level or a household member meets one of the following eligibility criteria:

• Medicaid
• WIC
• Federal Public Housing
• Veterans Pension and survivors benefit
• Free or reduced lunch program
• Federal pell grant
• Tribal assistance

The Biden Administration has launched several different ways for people to take advantage of the new program. The first initiative is GetInternet.gov which allows families to find participating providers in their area and then sign up.

The second initiative allows families to reach out to federal agencies. If they participate in any of the above-listed federal programs, "agencies that manage these programs will be coordinating an effort to reach out to households."

Additionally, the Biden Administration has joined forces with certain cities and states to spread the word. According to the announcement, places such as New York City, Massachusetts, Michigan, Philadelphia, and Mesa, Arizona will be texting eligible families.

Organizations such as Goodwill, Catholic Charities USA, and UnidosUS will also be taking part in the outreach.

There are features included with the high-speed internet are a "Broadband Nutrition Label" which will, "make it easier to comparison shop for the best deal on the internet."

Per the statement, "The FCC has adopted rules to ban sweetheart deals between internet providers and landlords that restrict the internet options available to millions of Americans who live in apartment buildings."