What Is The Emergency Broadband Benefit?
The Emergency Broadband Benefit is an FCC program designed to assist low-income households and individuals who are struggling to afford internet and other wireless services during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is meant to help eligible people stay connected with their loved ones, jobs, education facilities and virtual classrooms, healthcare and emergency services, and more. It is a temporary program that offers payment assistance on internet services to eligible households impacted by the pandemic.
The Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) provides a monthly discount on broadband service of up to $50 per household a month (up to $75 per eligible household on Tribal lands). There are multiple Lifeline and EBB providers available throughout the country and each participating broadband service provider receives the funds directly from the FCC’s EBB program.
Why Does T-Mobile Participate With EBB Program?
T-Mobile is one of the proud participants in the FCC Emergency Broadband Benefit program. To receive the EBB benefit through T-Mobile, you must be a current customer with an eligible rate plan. In addition, you must qualify for the benefit through the National Verifier.
T-Mobile is participating in the FCC Emergency Broadband Benefit program to help ensure that the households affected by the pandemic stay connected to loved ones, education, work, healthcare, emergency, and other services.
Does T Mobile Offer EBB Free Tablets?
T-Mobile offers two EBB plan options – two convenient ways for you to connect with others. Both plan options come at no additional cost.
One option is to receive a no-cost Franklin T9 hotspot with 10GB of high-speed data on your network. This option is great for households that already have laptops and/or tablets.
The second option is to receive a no-cost tablet with unlimited data on T-Mobile’s network. If you are EBB-eligible and choose this plan option, you will receive unlimited tablet data and 20 GB of hotspot data on T-Mobile’s network, as well as a free tablet. The tablet you will receive will either be a Moxee tablet or Alcatel Joy Tab 2.
How Do I Qualify For T-Mobile EBB Tablet?
To receive the free T-Mobile EBB tablet, you must first qualify for T-Mobile’s EBB program and then select the plan option that gets you the free tablet (both plan options are described in the previous section).
So, who is eligible for the EBB?
T-Mobile, Metro, Assurance, and Sprint customers, as well as some small business accounts registered with a social security number, are all eligible for the EBB. There are two ways to qualify for the EBB program, both set by the FCC – you can qualify based on income or based on meeting at least one of the criteria listed below.
To qualify based on income, your total household income must be at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines.
Another way to qualify is if your household meets at least one of the criteria listed below:
- Your household qualifies for Lifeline benefits through participation in an assistance program, such as SNAP, Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income, Federal Public Housing Assistance, or Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit.
- Your household participates in one of several Tribal-specific programs: Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Tribal Head Start (only households meeting the relevant income qualifying standard), Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF), or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations.
- Your household experienced a substantial loss of income since February 29, 2020, with a total household income in 2020 at or below $99,000 for single filers and $198,000 for joint filers.
- Your household received a Federal Pell Grant in the current award year.
- Your household received approval for 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.
- Your household meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider’s existing low-income or COVID-19 program, and that provider received FCC approval for its eligibility verification process.
Keep in mind that only one monthly service discount is available per household. The benefit is non-transferable and you cannot get T-Mobile’s EBB benefit if you (or any member of your household) already receive EBB benefit from another provider.
Your eligibility will be determined by the National Verifier, not T-Mobile. Therefore, if you have any EBB eligibility-related questions, contact the National Verifier.
What Documentation Is Required For T-Mobile EBB Tablet?
The exact list of documents you will be required to send or attach during the application process depends on the state, your qualification criteria, and other factors. However, in general, these are the documents you may be asked to provide:
- An official identity verification document (for example, your passport, U.S. driver’s license, Social Security number, Tribal Identification number, U.S. military ID, Individual Taxpayer identification number, state ID, or another government-issued ID).
- A document stating your physical address, including a driver’s license, a valid government, state, or Tribal ID, utility bill, mortgage or lease statement, most recent W-2, or tax return.
- If you qualify based on your income, you will be required to provide a document that shows that your annual household income is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty guidelines (for example, a prior year’s state, federal, or Tribal tax return, current income statement from your employer or a paycheck stub, a Social Security statement of benefits, Veterans Administration statement of benefits, Unemployment or Worker’s Compensation statement of benefits, divorce decree, child support award, or a similar official document showing your income, a retirement/pension statement of benefits).
- If you qualify based on assistance program participation, you will be required to provide an official document proving that you are currently participating in the program (for example, a benefit award letter, an approval letter, a statement of benefits, a benefit verification letter, etc.).
- If you qualify based on substantial loss of income, you will have to provide a document showing loss of income due to job loss (including bankruptcy or business closure) or furlough since February 29, 2020 (for example, a layoff/furlough notice, an unemployment application, approval letter, or benefit statement, evidence of bankruptcy or business closure) and a document proving that your annual household income is now below $99,000 for single filers or $198,000 for joint fillers (for example, a 2020 state, federal, or tribal tax return, Social Security statement of benefits, Veterans Administration statement of benefits, Unemployment or Worker’s Compensation statement of benefits, divorce decree, child support award, or a similar official document showing your income, a retirement/pension statement of benefits).
To participate in the EBB program you must be at least 18 years old or an emancipated minor. If you are an emancipated minor, you will be required to provide a court document or certification proving your emancipated minor status.
You can either attach the documents online or send them by mail. If you send them by mail, make sure to never submit original documents, but copies or pictures taken with a scanner, copy machine, camera, or smartphone instead.
How To Apply For The T-Mobile EBB Tablet?
Applying for the T-Mobile EBB table is easy. Simply follow the steps provided below.
- Step 1: Determine whether or not you are eligible for the EBB program through the National Verifier. To do so, visit getemergencybroadband.org/?icid=MGPO_TMO_U_21TMOEBB_2OU88MVBPF300N6P24758 and apply for the EBB program by submitting an enrollment form.
- Step 2: Once you have registered and been accepted in the National Verifier, you will receive an approved application. You will need it to proceed.
- Step 3: Visit t-mobile.custhelp.com/app/forms/EBB_Enrollment and submit an enrollment form through T-Mobile.
- Step 4: When submitting an enrollment form through T-Mobile, simply read the instructions, provide all the necessary information, and once you are done, press the ‘Submit’ button located at the bottom of the page.
How Will I Know If I Successfully Enrolled T-Mobile EBB Tablet?
You will receive an SMS or email from T-Mobile that will say that your application has been approved and that your EBB discount will be applied to your account within 1-2 billing cycles. You will also be informed about when to expect a free tablet. Once your EBB discount has been applied to your account, you will receive another confirmation via SMS or email.
What Are My T-Mobile EBB Tablet Choices?
When it comes to T-Mobile EBB tablet choices there are two options. You can either receive:
- A Moxee Tablet
- Or Alcatel Joy Tab 2
In addition to T-Mobile’s EBB tablets, the provider also offers some other special deals on tablets. As their special deals on devices tend to change rapidly, it’s best to check which other promotional offers on tablets there are at t-mobile.com/tablets/deals/special-offer.
Currently, however, T-Mobile also offers these discounted tablets:
- Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite (the price is $8.34 a month for 24 months and $0.00 down payment)
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE 5G (the price is $25.00 a month for 24 months and $69.99 down payment)
- Apple iPad Air (the price is $30.00 a month for 24 months and $9.99 down payment)
- Moxee Tablet (the price is $7.00 a month for 24 months and $0.00 down payment)
What Other Benefits Do I Get If I Qualify T-Mobile EBB Program?
In addition to either the free tablet or the free hotspot (depending on which plan you choose), the EBB program will also provide you a temporary discount of up to $50 a month on broadband service for eligible households ($75 a month for households on Tribal lands).
Both the free tablet and the monthly discount on broadband service give an eligible customer a large number of benefits:
- It allows low-income people to stay connected to their loved ones.
- It allows them to stay connected to virtual classrooms and education facilities.
- It allows them to stay in touch with work and to seek out new job opportunities.
- It allows them to stay in touch with health services.
- It allows them to stay in touch with emergency services and more.
Are There Any Restrictions For T-Mobile EBB Program?
T-Mobile’s EBB program comes with certain restrictions:
- The EBB (and/or Lifeline) discounted wireless service is not transferrable.
- There is only one EBB (and/or Lifeline) discount/benefit available per household.
- If you (or any of your family members) already receive an EBB (and/or Lifeline) benefit from another provider, you cannot get another benefit/discount from a second provider.
Is There Any Other Way To Get T-Mobile Free Tablets
As mentioned before, T-Mobile not only offers EBB free tablets, the carrier also provides special deals on tablets. Their special deals on tablets and other wireless devices tend to change and update often, therefore, it’s best to check the up-to-date list of special deals and offers on tablets at t-mobile.com/tablets/deals/special-offer.
Currently, however, T-Mobile offers these discounted tablets:
- Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite (the price is $8.34 a month for 24 months and $0.00 down payment)
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE 5G (the price is $25.00 a month for 24 months and $69.99 down payment)
- Apple iPad Air (the price is $30.00 a month for 24 months and $9.99 down payment)
- Moxee Tablet (the price is $7.00 a month for 24 months and $0.00 down payment)
T-Mobile Free Tablet Promotion
T-Mobile almost always offers special deals and discounts on tablets, watches, phones, and plans. Their offers and special deals are all time-limited and they tend to change often. All of their special deals come with a list of requirements. For example, you must sign a contract for two years, become a customer, add a new line, etc.
At this very moment, T-Mobile doesn’t offer any tablets that are completely free of charge. Nonetheless, the carrier does offer some tablets at considerably lower prices. You can see the current deals in the next section.
Read one of our past articles T-Mobile Compatible Phone
What Are The Best T-Mobile Tablet Deals
Currently, T-Mobile offers four tablets at considerably lower prices. Currently, discounted tablets are:
- Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite. The current price for the device is $8.34 a month for 24 months and a $0.00 down payment.
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE 5G. The current price for the device is $25.00 a month for 24 months and a $69.99 down payment.
- Apple iPad Air. The current price for the device is $30.00 a month for 24 months and a $9.99 down payment.
- Moxee Tablet. The current price for the device is $7.00 a month for 24 months and a $0.00 down payment.
As the offers and special deals tend to change quickly, check the up-to-date deals at t-mobile.com/tablets/deals/special-offer.
What If I Don’t Qualify For T-Mobile EBB?
In case you don’t qualify for T-Mobile EBB, you can still get a tablet at a significantly lower price at T-Mobile. You can check the current deals at t-mobile.com/tablets/deals/special-offer. In addition, there are some other EBB providers, which offer EBB tablets, including Stand Up Wireless, QLink Wireless, Metro by T-Mobile, True Connect, and TracFone Wireless.
How Do I Get My EBB Credit If I Have Prepaid Service With T-Mobile?
As soon as the benefit gets applied to your prepaid account, the cost of your plan will be reduced by the ebb discount. That month, you will receive service as usual.
Does T-Mobile Offer Lifeline Program?
Yes, in addition to FCC’s temporary EBB program, T-Mobile also offers FCC’s Lifeline program, which offers discounted telecommunications service for qualified low-income customers. Their Lifeline program is available in seven states (Florida, Kentucky, Minnesota, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington) and Puerto Rico.
In case you also need information Metro Pcs by T-Mobile Free Phones
How Are The T-Mobile Lifeline And The EBB Different?
Lifeline is FCC’s permanent assistance program, which offers discounts on telecommunication services. EBB is FCC’s temporary assistance program, designed to help out people and households who have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Can I Choose My EBB Provider?
EBB program benefits may be obtained from any participating provider of your choice and your monthly service benefit may be transferred to any other provider at any time.
How To Get T-Mobile Essentials™?
To sign up for T-Mobile Essentials, visit a retail store or call T-Mobile. New customers can simply dial 1-800-TMOBILE. Those customers who already have a T-Mobile account, dial 611 from your mobile device to contact customer service. In case you need one or more lines for your phone, T-Mobile Essentials for phones can be added to your T-Mobile Essentials for tablet lines. To do so, visit a retail store or call the carrier at 1-800-TMOBILE or 611 for existing customers.
Does T-Mobile Free Tablet Promotion Still Continue?
T-Mobile EBB free tablets will be available as long as the temporary EBB program is available. As the program was created to provide financial aid for households affected by the pandemic, the EBB program will end 6 months after the end of the pandemic or when the funds are all depleted. Other T-Mobile tablet promotions will probably continue even after the EBB program gets shut down.
Can Government Agencies Enroll Qualified Households?
Yes, any kind of government agency can enroll EBB-eligible households in T-Mobile’s EBB-supported service. However, households must verify their eligibility themselves by using the National Verifier. As soon as a household is deemed eligible by the National Verifier, T-Mobile will work directly with government agencies to provide service to eligible households.
Who Is The Responsible For The Bill When Qualified Households Receive The EBB Through A Government Agency?
When qualified households receive the EBB through a government agency, T-Mobile will contact the government agency directly to provide EBB service to eligible households. The government agency, however, will be required to pay the cost of the service.
How Does A Household Receive Customer Support Such As Device Or Service Troubleshooting If They Enroll Through A Government Agency?
Households that receive EBB-supported service and were enrolled through a government agency can contact T-Mobile customer care for any kind of assistance themselves.
What Happens To The Government Agency’s T-Mobile Bill When A Household Becomes Unenrolled From EBB?
If or when a household becomes unenrolled from EBB, the customer’s account will be canceled and the government agency’s bill will stay the same.
Are T-Mobile Business Accounts Eligible For The EBB Discount?
T-Mobile business accounts are not eligible for EBB, with the exception of some small business accounts where the account plan is eligible under the EBB program and you are personally liable for the small business account (you provide a personal guarantee of the account).
Do I Get The T-Mobile EBB Credit Forever?
No, FCC’s EBB program is temporary and T-Mobile’s EBB credit will end as soon as the EBB program gets shut down. Before the EBB program is canceled, you will be notified by T-Mobile. After the program comes to an end, the cost of your monthly service will revert to its original rate.
Who Is Eligible For T-Mobile Free Internet For Low Income?
T-Mobile, Metro, Assurance, and Sprint customers, as well as some small business accounts registered with a social security number, are all eligible for EBB-provided discounted services. There is only one EBB benefit available per household and households can qualify based on income or any of the criteria listed in the ‘How Do I Qualify for T-Mobile EBB Tablet?’ section.
Can Retirees Apply For The T-Mobile EBB?
Yes, however, just being retired won’t qualify you for T-Mobile EBB. You have to meet all other eligibility criteria listed in the ‘How Do I Qualify for T-Mobile EBB Tablet?’ section.
Is The T-Mobile EBB Only Open To U.S. Citizens?
No, all U.S. residents can apply for T-Mobile EBB.
Can You Get The T-Mobile EBB If You Lost Income In 2020, But Got A New Job In 2021?
Yes. There is no need to prove continued unemployment, you only need to prove that your current annual income is below $99,000 for a single person or $198,000 for a family.
Can I Apply For The Emergency Broadband Benefits If I Have A Past Due Balance With The Provider?
Yes, eligible customers with a past due balance or a balance in collections can apply for the EBB benefit.
