Library, S.C. Thrive partner to promote broadband program

The Doctors Bruce and Lee Foundation Library will be hosting S.C. Thrive on the second floor on Thursday, July 8 and Thursday, July 15 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day.

SC Thrive will be helping eligible residents fill out applications for the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program. The $3.2 billion Emergency Broadband Benefit program provides a discount of up to a $50 per month toward broadband service for eligible households. The benefit also provides up to a $100 per household discount toward a one-time purchase of a computer, laptop, or tablet if the household contributes more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase through a participating broadband provider.

A household is eligible if one member of the household meets at least one of the criteria below: •

Has an income that is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or participates in certain assistance programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid or the FCC’s Lifeline program;

• 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 or 2020-2021 school year;

• Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year;

• Experienced a substantial loss of income through job loss or furlough since February 29, 2020 and the household had a total income in 2020 at or below $99,000 for single filers and $198,000 for joint filers; or

• Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider’s existing low-income or COVID-19 program.

The Emergency Broadband Benefit enrollment began on May 12. Eligible households can enroll through a participating broadband provider or directly with the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) using an online or mail-in application. Additional information about the Emergency Broadband Benefit is available at www.fcc. gov/broadbandbenefit, or by calling (833) 511-0311 between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. any day of the week

The Doctors Bruce and Lee Foundation Library is located at 509 S. Dargan St.