The FCC has launched a new program to help low-income households get access to high-speed internet during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program or EBB, the program’s name, will provide a discount of up to $50 per month on broadband internet service for eligible homes. Like other providers, you can get EBB benefits from the Simple Mobile EBB Program.
To be eligible for the program, households must have an income that is at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines. Households that participate in certain government assistance programs, such as the National School Lunch Program or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, are also eligible.
Once you have been approved for the program, you will need to choose a participating internet service provider. Simple Mobile is one of the providers that is participating in the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program. You can apply for the program through the Simple Mobile website or by calling customer service at 1-888-898-4888.
Let’s get into details about how you can apply for the Simple Mobile EBB Program.
What Is Simple Mobile EBB Program?
Simple Mobile is an MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) that offers mobile phone service in different parts of the US at a low cost. They are also participants of the FCC programs and offer free services.
Likewise, Simple Mobile emergency broadband benefits provide customers with high-speed internet at a discount rate to the families and households struggling to afford internet service. Only the eligible people will be able to enjoy the benefit of the program.
Who Is Eligible For Simple Mobile EBB?
The Simple Mobile EBB program is aimed to help struggling households. So, you need to prove your eligibility to enjoy the benefits of the program. Different ways are available to qualify for the program.
You are qualified –
If anyone in your household at least receives one of the following programs:
Few states have additional eligibility for the tribal people:
Or,
If someone in your family had a significant loss of income because of job loss or furlough after February 29, 2020, and the total household income of your family in 2020 is less than $99,000 (for a single filer) or $198,000 for joint filers.
Or,
Besides, households can also qualify if their annual income is at or below the following guideline:
| Household Member(s) | 48 Contiguous States, DC, & Territories | Alaska | Hawaii |
| 1 | $17,388 | $21,722 | $20,007 |
| 2 | $23,517 | $29,390 | $27,054 |
| 3 | $29,646 | $37,058 | $34,101 |
| 4 | $35,775 | $44,726 | $41,148 |
| 5 | $41,904 | $52,394 | $48,195 |
| 6 | $48,033 | $60,062 | $55,242 |
| 7 | $54,162 | $75,398 | $62,289 |
| For Each additional person | $6,129 | $7,668 | $7,047 |
How To Apply For The Simple Mobile EBB?
The Simple Mobile EBB application process is simple. Before beginning the process, take all the necessary documents at hand.
Documents you need to Simple Mobile EBB: Documents requirements vary depending on your qualifying method. If your qualification is program based, you will require –
[Note: The document must include your name, the program name, the name of the government or Tribal agency that issued the document, and the future expiration date.]
If you are an income-based qualifier, you will require –
Application Process:
That’s all you need to do. But, keep in mind that you may not get the confirmation email on the first try. Apply again for the EBB Program Simple Mobile a few days later. If you still don’t get it despite a few tries, contact them at 1-888-898-4888.
Simple Mobile Packages
As earlier mentioned, Simple Mobile is an MVNO, operating under T-Mobile’s network. The specialty of the operator is that it only offers unlimited plans. And, these unlimited plans start with only $25 per month, up to $60 per month. Of course, the cheap plans will have data throttling after spending a specific amount.
What are simple mobile plans?
Let’s check –
$25 Unlimited Plan: With the plan, you will receive unlimited data, unlimited talk, text, MMS, and Mobile hotspot ( 2G speed) for 30 days. It has a data throttling threshold of 3GB, after which your internet speed will slow down to 2G. Data speed will be restored once a new cycle starts.
You can add additional lines at $20 per line up to 4 lines, after that each line will cost $25. This Simple Mobile plan includes – VoiceMail, Caller ID, Call Waiting, 411 calls, and 3-Way calling.
$30 Unlimited Plan: This plan is similar to the previous one, except for the data throttling threshold. It will let you use high-speed 4G LTE up to 5GB and then slow down to 2G, and there won’t be any overage charge.
There is also a $40 unlimited plan, which has similar features, besides the 15 GB data throttling threshold. If you want more high-speed data, you can purchase add-ons, and the add-ons are available for all the plans.
$50 and $60 Unlimited Plan: The true unlimited plan of Simple Mobile comes with respectively $50 and $60 unlimited packages. With the $50 per month plan, you will be able to get unlimited data, talk, text, and MMS. The data won’t slow down, no matter how much you use it. But, hotspot data is limited to 2G.
On the other hand, the $60 unlimited plan offers an additional 15 GB high-speed hotspot (then, slow down to 2G) and 50 GB of cloud storage.
FAQs About Simple Mobile EBB Program
How much is Simple Mobile a month?
Simple Mobile has different plans at different costs per month. But, all the Simple Mobile plans are cheaper than its competitors. And, the one unique thing about the provider is it only offers unlimited plans.
The cheapest unlimited starts at $25 per month and goes up to $60 per month. The $25 unlimited plan has a data throttling limit of 3 GB (after that limit data speed will slow down to 2G) and the limit will increase as better options you choose. The $60 unlimited plan doesn’t have any data limitations.
How to get free Simple Mobile service?
Eligible customers can enjoy Simple Mobile free service. Simple Mobile is an MVNO that operates under T-Mobile’s network. Like most MVNOs, Simple Mobile also participated in several FCC assistance programs, like ACP and EBB.
If you meet the qualification requirements for the programs, you will be able to enjoy the free service of Simple Mobile. Besides, if you subscribe to their service for the first time or pay for a plan several months ahead, you will also get a few free benefits.
Are there any restrictions on the EBB program?
Yes, the EBB program has a few restrictions. Firstly the program is only for those who are participants of qualifying government programs or eligible based on their household’s income.
Only one benefit is allowed per household, even if there are multiple qualified people. Also, a household isn’t allowed to get EBB benefits from different providers. You can’t transfer the benefits to anyone. If the customers aren’t qualified anymore, they have to notify their service providers within thirty days.
What will happen after the program ends?
After the program concludes, you will be given an option to continue the enrolled plan without the government subsidy.
If you select this option, you will have to bear the full cost of the plan. Besides, you can also choose another plan suitable for your new budget.
Final Verdict
To summarize everything, Emergency Broadband benefits Simple Mobile offers discounts on internet service to struggling families and households. To enjoy the benefits of the program, first, you have to qualify the requirements and, then, by applying in a proper procedure, you can enjoy the benefits of the program.
If EBB programs end they will transfer into the ACP program, which will have similar benefits. So, if the program ends by the time you are reading, directly apply for the ACP program.
