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<p class="MsoNormal">The recently passed infrastructure bill includes changes to emergency broadband benefits. The Affordable Connectivity Program will replace the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program. The new program moves away from being just a response to
the COVID-19 pandemic and refocuses on long-term affordability issues.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Here are some changes to the program:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">The maximum monthly benefit will change from $50 per month to $30 per month for households not located on qualifying Tribal lands. The monthly benefit will remain at $75 per month
for households on qualifying Tribal lands. <o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">Households have new ways to qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program such as: receiving WIC benefits or having an income at or below 200% of the
<a href="https://aspe.hhs.gov/topics/poverty-economic-mobility/poverty-guidelines">
Federal Poverty Guidelines</a>. <o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">Households that qualified for the Emergency Broadband Benefit due to a substantial loss of income due to job loss or furlough since February 29, 2020 or by meeting the eligibility
criteria for a participating provider's COVID-19 program will need to requalify for the Affordable Connectivity Program.
<o:p></o:p></li></ul>
<p class="MsoListParagraph"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit">Applications</a> are still being accepted for the Emergency Broadband Benefit. Households enrolled in the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program as of 12/31/21 will continue to receive their
current monthly benefit during a 60-day transition period.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If you want to preview more of the proposed changes to come, the
<a href="https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-seeks-comment-new-affordable-connectivity-program">
FCC is currently seeking comments</a> on the rules for the new program through Dec. 28, 2021.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:3.0pt"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:black">Arlene Weible, MLS (she/her/hers)<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:3.0pt;line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">Electronic Services Consultant</span><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:3.0pt;line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">Oregon Federal Regional Depository Coordinator<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:3.0pt;line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">State Library of Oregon<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:3.0pt;line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%;color:#2E74B5"><a href="mailto:arlene.weible@state.or.us"><span style="color:#0563C1">arlene.weible@slo.oregon.gov</span></a></span><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%">
<b>|</b> 503-378-5020 <b>|</b><span style="color:#2E74B5"> <a href="http://www.oregon.gov/library/libraries">
<span style="color:#0563C1">http://www.oregon.gov/library/libraries</span></a></span><u><span style="color:#0563C1"><o:p></o:p></span></u></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;color:#2E74B5">COVID-19 info: </span>
<span style="color:#2E74B5"><a href="https://libguides.osl.state.or.us/coronavirus"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;color:#0563C1">https://libguides.osl.state.or.us/coronavirus</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><img border="0" width="342" height="43" style="width:3.5625in;height:.4444in" id="Picture_x0020_27" src="cid:image001.png@01D7DF84.BD512D90" alt="State Library of Oregon Logo"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
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