WESTFIELD – Whip City Fiber will be participating in the Federal Communications Commission’s Emergency Broadband Benefit Program to bring discounted broadband internet to low-income households.

Applications for the program began on May 12. Participating households would receive a monthly $50 credit towards their internet bill if at least one member of the household meets certain criteria.

A resident is eligible if their income is at or below 135 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Someone could also be eligible if someone in the household receives free and reduced-price school lunch program benefits through the USDA or if a person received a Pell Grant during the current award year. Eligibility is also extended to those who experienced a significant loss of income after Feb. 29, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic while the household had an income at or below $99,000 for single filers or $198,000 for joint filers.

In a presentation to Westfield Gas and Electric’s Municipal Light Board on May 13, Key Accounts and Sales Manager Caitrin Ferriter said that Blandford’s Whip City Fiber network would be started in July, with construction taking place during the spring. The full construction of the broadband infrastructure is projected to be complete by Oct.1. As of May 13, construction was two percent complete for Blandford. Individual installations for the network have not yet begun but are expected to be complete by Nov. 30 in Blandford.