Total Wireless is a subsidiary of TracFone Wireless. It is a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) and as such, it uses Verizon’s nationwide network. It offers customers affordable service plans, quality phones from reputable plans, and other reliable services.
In this article, we will find out whether or not Total Wireless also offers an EBB program and everything else there is to know about the Total Wireless EBB program.
Does Total Wireless Participate in The EBB Program?
EBB or the Emergency Broadband Benefit is a government assistance program by the FCC designed to help families and individuals who are struggling to afford internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic.
EBB provides eligible customers a monthly discount of up to $50 for internet services and up to $75 for eligible households on Tribal lands. Sometimes, EBB also offers a one-time $100 discount on a desktop computer, laptop, or tablet if the eligible customer pays a co-pay of more than $10 and less than $50.
As the EBB program was developed in response to the ongoing pandemic, it is a temporary program. The EBB program will end either when the program funds are exhausted or six months after the pandemic comes to an end (as declared by the Department of Health and Human Services), whichever comes first.
There are many EBB providers that offer discounts on monthly broadband service for eligible customers and Total Wireless is one of them. Total Wireless offers a free monthly plan for EBB-eligible customers and a user-friendly EBB program with lots of benefits.
In case you also need information Does EBB Program Offer Free Laptop?
What Are The Benefits of Qualifying for The Total Wireless EBB Program?
Qualifying for the Total Wireless EBB program can bring you several great benefits, including:
- A free monthly service plan
- Unlimited talk
- Unlimited text
- 50 GB of high-speed data
- Up to 10 GB of hotspot data use
- No-contract wireless plan
- The ability to keep your device and number
- Access to Verizon’s reliable network with nationwide coverage
How to Qualify for The Total Wireless EBB Program?
To qualify for the Total Wireless EBB program, you must be EBB-eligible. Only the households or individuals who meet any of the general EBB eligibility criteria by the FCC can get a monthly discount on broadband service.
To be EBB-eligible, you must meet any of the following criteria.
Program-based eligibility
You may qualify for the Total Wireless EBB program, if you participate in certain government assistance programs, such as:
- Lifeline
- SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)
- Medicaid
- SSI (Supplemental Security Income)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance Program
- Veterans Survivor and Pensions benefit program
You may also qualify, if you participate in a Tribal benefit program, such as:
- Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) General Assistance program
- Tribal Head Start (only those households can meet income-qualifying standards)
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations.
- Tribal TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)
Income-based eligibility
You may qualify for the Total Wireless EBB program, if:
- Your household income is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. For a single filer, the yearly income must be under $99,000 and for joint filers, it must be less than $198,000 in the year 2020.
- You or any of your household members have lost a job or got a termination letter or was furloughed since February 29 of 2020.
Lunch program-based eligibility
You may qualify for the Total Wireless EBB program, if you or any of your household members have 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.
Pell Grant-based eligibility
You may qualify for the Total Wireless EBB program if you or any of your household members have received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year.
Read one of our past articles Boost Mobile Emergency Broadband Benefit
What Are The Documents Required to Apply for The Total Wireless EBB Program?
When you apply for the Total Wireless EBB program, the provider will try to confirm all of your provided information automatically. However, if the company will be unable to verify some of the information and automatically approve your application, they may ask you to provide some documentation to verify your identity or prove your eligibility.
Total Wireless may ask you to provide any of the documents listed below:
- An official document verifying your identity and/or showing your address. For example, your passport, state ID, Tribal ID, or another government-issued ID, U.S. Driver’s License, U.S. Military ID, Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, Tribal Identification Number, or Social Security Number.
- An official document proving your qualifying assistance program participation. For example, an approval letter, benefit award letter, statement of benefits, benefit verification letter.
- An official document proving your household income. For example, 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.
- An official document proving your substantial loss of income. For example, a layoff/furlough notice, unemployment application, approval letter, or benefit statement, evidence of bankruptcy or business closure, 2020 state, federal, or Tribal tax return, Social Security statement of benefits, Veterans Administration statement of benefits, retirement or pension statement of benefits, Unemployment or Worker’s Compensation statement of benefits, divorce decree, child support award, or a similar official document showing your income.
- An official document proving that you (or any of your household members) have received approval for benefits under the free and reduced-price school lunch program or the school breakfast program.
- An official documents proving that you (or any of your household members) have received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year.
Only adults who are 18 or more years old and emancipated minors can participate in the EBB program. Therefore, in case you are an emancipated minor, you must also provide an official document proving it, such as a court document, or a certificate.
Note: Make sure to only provide copies of the documents instead of original ones.
You can read one of our past articles Emergency Broadband Benefit Free Tablet
How to Apply for Total Wireless Emergency Broadband Benefit?
The application procedure for the Total Wireless EBB program is easy. It is online-based, which means that you can apply on their official website. All you have to do to apply for the Total Wireless EBB program is to follow the simple steps below.
- Step 1: Become a Total Wireless member and make sure that Total Wireless EBB programs are available in your state of residence. In case you are not yet a Total Wireless user, you will be required to sign up. To sign up with Total Wireless, you will be required to provide some information, including your full name, your company’s name (if you have a registered company), your current phone number (from any carrier), your email address, and a password. You will also have to accept the terms and conditions. Once you sign up, you will receive further information via email.
- Step 2: Confirm your EBB eligibility. If you are a Lifeline member, you can skip this part. Otherwise, make sure that you are EBB eligible by, first, checking the general EBB criteria listed above, and secondly, by verifying your eligibility through the National Verifier at usac.org/about/emergency-broadband-benefit-program/system-resources/national-verifier. Only once your eligibility is verified, you will be able to get the service, the discount, and all the other benefits.
- Step 3: Apply for the Total Wireless EBB program. Visit totalwireless.com/ebb and press ‘Apply Now’. You will be redirected to the provider’s online application form. You will be required to provide the necessary information, such as your name, date of birth, address, income status, security number, and more. You may also be asked to attach certain documents that can verify your identity and/or prove your eligibility.
- Step 4: Enjoy your service. The provider may take up to 48 hours to review your application form. After they verify your information, you will receive a notification of your approval within 48 hours.
How to Check The Application Status of Total Wireless EBB?
There is no need to check your application status of Total Wireless EBB, as once your enrollment in the provider’s EBB program is complete, you will receive an email with information about your next steps. In case you don’t receive an email notification within 48 hours, first, make sure to also check the spam folder.
If you have checked both your inbox and your spam folder and if more than 48 hours have passed since submitting your application, you can check your application status by contacting Total Wireless’ customer care service at 1-866-663-3633 or by signing into your Total Wireless account with your chosen username and password. There you will see your application status and all your other account information.
What Are The Limitations of The Total Wireless EBB Program?
Like any other EBB program, the Total Wireless EBB program also comes with a list of limitations and restrictions, which you must take into account.
- Total Wireless EBB program is only for individuals who are EBB-eligible. You can participate if you already participate in another government assistance program, such as Lifeline, SNAP, or Medicaid. You can also qualify if your household income is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or if you or any of your family members have experienced a job loss. In addition, you may qualify if you (or any of your household members) have received approval for benefits under the free and reduced-price school lunch program or Pell Grant during the current award year.
- Each household can only receive one EBB benefit.
- The EBB benefit is non-transferable.
- Customers are required to notify the provider within 30 days if they no longer qualify for the discount.
What Other Services Can I Get at Total Wireless?
In addition to its EBB program, Total Wireless also offers many other services and benefits. It offers affordable plans with data, talk minutes, texts, hotspot data, and more. It offers mobile devices from the most reputable brands, as well as the ability to bring your own compatible phone. It also provides reliable and responsive customer care service. Moreover, it offers its customers access to Verizon’s nationwide network with excellent coverage.
What Else Should You Know About Total Wireless EBB?
How Do I Join Total Wireless?
You can join Total Wireless by simply signing up. The signing up process depends on whether or not you have your own phone or wish to buy one from them and on the plan/service you choose. To sign up, you can visit their official website at totalwireless.com. You will be required to provide some information, including your full name, your company’s name (if you have a registered company), your current phone number (from any carrier), your email address, and a password. You will also have to accept the terms and conditions. Once you sign up, you will receive further information via email.
Does Total Wireless Work With Government Lifeline Programs?
Yes, in addition to their EBB program, Total Wireless also offers Lifeline discounts. You can have both and if you are a Lifeline member, you generally don’t need to apply for the EBB benefit separately.
Can I Receive the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) if My Household Is Already Receiving Lifeline Benefits?
Yes, the FCC guidelines allow you to have both a Lifeline and an EBB benefit per household at the same time. However, each eligible household can only get one EBB and one Lifeline from a provider.
I Was Affected by the Covid-19 Pandemic and Lost My Job. Am I Eligible for the Total Wireless EBB?
Yes, the EBB program has been designed precisely to help people who have been affected by the pandemic. If you lost your job or were furloughed since February 29 of 2020, you may be EBB-eligible.
How Good Is Total Wireless Coverage Area?
Total Wireless is a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) that uses Verizon’s nationwide coverage. Verizon network is America’s largest, most dependable network, now with nationwide 5G. As such, it’s safe to say that Total Wireless offers an excellent coverage area.
