Heartland Forward and LULAC Partner to Increase Latinx Enrollment in Emergency Broadband Benefit

Heartland Forward and the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) announced a new partnership to lead on-the-ground advocacy and enrollment efforts to help connect Latino households to affordable internet through the Federal Communications Commission’s Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) Program. According to a 2021 Pew Research Study, only 67 percent of Hispanic adults reported owning a computer, compared to 80 percent of white adults, and only 65 percent said they have internet service at home, compared to 80 percent of white adults. Despite this demonstrated need for the EBB program, a study from the National Hispanic Media Coalition indicated that enrollment in Latino households lags the general population enrollment rate.  The collaboration includes $50,000 in funding from Heartland Forward for LULAC to distribute on-the-ground outreach and enrollment activities to its local councils across the heartland states. Heartland Forward also will be distributing outreach materials and co-hosting a live, informational webinar for local councils nationwide with FCC staff to walk them through EBB eligibility requirements and enrollment processes.