The early months of pandemic were tough for Bilal Caraway, a single dad with five kids. He lost his job, money was tight, and access to the internet was almost as important as a roof over his head.
Caraway, a Morrisville Borough resident, used the WiFi connection from friends and the library as much as possible, but pandemic closures made it tough. He needed the internet for work-from-home opportunities and job training, while his kids needed it for school, entertainment, and college.
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“The pandemic shut down and closed a lot of access for us,” he said. “Everywhere was closed and you couldn’t piggyback off the WiFi”
Caraway looked for low-cost internet service at home.
“They’d tell you it will be $150,” he said, “and then it could $180 or more.”
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While in contact with the nonprofit United Way of Bucks County, Caraway heard of an Internet Essentials Program to help residents that was through a partnership with the nonprofit, St. Mary Medical Center, and Comcast.
The Internet Essentials Program from Comcast launched in 2011 and expanded during COVID-19. It has connected more than 10 million people to low-cost internet at home.
Caraway was able to benefit from the program and also obtained a laptop at no cost through the United Way of Bucks County.
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“It was really helpful,” he said.
Broderick Johnson, executive vice president for public policy and digital equity at Comcast, said the essential nature of internet in modern life makes it more important than ever that people are connected.
“We will continue to partner with nonprofit organizations across the country to deliver digital literacy skills training so more people can learn how to take full advantage of everything the Internet has to offer,” Johnson said.
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Caraway is now getting assistance through the federal Affordable Connectivity Program that provides provides eligible households with discounts of up to $30 a month for broadband service.
The program was created through bipartisan action in Congress and has been celebrated at the local, county, state, and federal level.
About 48 million families — 40 percent of households nationwide — are eligible for the federal connectivity program. The credit for eligible people goes from the government to internet service providers, like Comcast or Verizon.
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Those who are interested in the Affordable Connectivity Program can see if they qualify at GetInternet.gov.
Caraway said he appreciates the programs that have helped his family get back on track and access the internet for school and work.
“It was a great, great help and it helped us get situated.”
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