Disconnected and Disregarded: Measuring Latinx Emergency Broadband Benefit Enrollment

The National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC)'s policy team came together to attempt to uncover the real impact of the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) program for eligible Latinx households. The NHMC conducted their analysis using 11 states chosen based on their significant Latinx populations: Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas. The NHMC published their findings along with recommendations for federal agencies to boost Latinx enrollment in broadband subsidy programs. Major findings include:

• Of the11 states, New Jersey has the lowest estimated percentage of eligible Latinx households enrolled (2.21 percent) and the worst enrollment rate.
• Nevada had the highest estimated percentage of eligible Latinx households enrolled (8.26 percent) and best enrollment rate.
• Latinx households still fall behind the general population enrollment rate in most states.
• After conducting a Latinx enrollee analysis for Lifeline, they found that like EBB, Lifeline enrollment rates for eligible Latinx households remain low.