WESTFIELD – Westfield Gas & Electric General Manager Thomas P. Flaherty discussed the municipal utility company’s participation in the FCC’s Emergency Broadband Benefit Program with the Municipal Light Board July 7.

The temporary program is designed to provide discounts of up to $50 per month towards the broadband internet service for eligible households. Eligible households can also use a one-time $100 discount towards a purchase of a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet.

Flaherty said 233 of Westfield’s broadband customers have used the program to save money on their internet bill since Whip City Fiber announced its participation in May.

He said the program was slow initially, which he said was likely due to the volume of requests it had received.

“The participation is voluntary. It is something that we as the broadband provider in the hilltowns and Westfield, it is beneficial to participate in,” said Flaherty.

The federal program draws from a fund of $3.2 billion. A household is eligible if at least one member of the home has an income at or below 135 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or participates in assistance programs such as SNAP, Medicaid, or the FCC’s Lifeline program.

One is also eligible if a household member has received a Federal Pell Grant in the current award year, experienced a substantial loss of income due to the pandemic, or receives benefits under the free or reduced-price school lunch programs.

Residents can enroll through Whip City Fiber at www.whipcityfiber.com/promo/ebbp for eligible households.