Free and Low-Cost Internet Service Assistance
Programs to Help Make Internet Service More Affordable. A review of government programs and dozens of internet providers to bring you our guide to low-income internet.
For a while now Lifeline public assistance for Internet Service has been available. However, with the pandemic and so many folks working from home there are now several more to take advantage of. Independent from Lifeline, various providers offer low-cost internet. Below we’ve outlined student, low-income household, and senior citizen discounts.
Free internet during the new corona virus pandemic
Because of the increase of online schooling, Spectrum is offering households with students (K–12 and college) and educators free broadband internet for 60 days with any plan up to 100 Mbps. For this free service, call 1-844-488-8395 to sign up.
K–12 student internet packages
Many low-income internet programs are now available to help connect students to online resources. This is partially due to the government, and public sentiment, for equality of resources – now especially with remote “school from home”. These require that you have a school-age child at home or that you be an educator.
You’ll also need to participate in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), or Public Housing (HUD).
Each provider has a unique list of qualifying programs, so check our summary below to see what they’re looking for.
Free internet for college students
Millions of college students want to know – is there a free Internet Service for students? Well, not yet. Only big discounts for k-12 students. Although the need is at least as great for college students public and private programs are not up to speed.
That said, because of the new coronavirus pandemic, Spectrum is offering free internet to college students for 60 days. Keep in mind that you must be a new customer to qualify.
There are other isolated programs, however the best bet is utilizing WIFI on your college campus. You can also tether your smartphone, and Verizon Wireless offers a discount for college students tethering their phone.
Internet service for low-income families and households
If you don’t have any school-age children, there are other ways to qualify for low-income internet. Spectrum Internet Assist and Internet Essentials from Comcast work for low-income homes without K–12 children.
Anyone with Supplemental Security Income (SSI) can qualify for Spectrum Internet Assist and the Internet Essentials program from Comcast. Verizon also adds an additional discount to those who qualify for Lifeline that brings that all the way to $20 off the internet plan of your choice.
Internet for senior citizens
Unfortunately, free internet for senior citizens is not something internet companies typically provide. But Internet Essentials from Comcast is available for qualifying seniors for only $9.95 per month.
Local internet service providers (ISPs) may also offer senior discounts, so it might be worth seeing if there are any locally owned ISPs operating in your area.
Verizon Lifeline
Not to be confused with the government assistance program “Lifeline”, outlined below, Verizon has it’s own program called “Verizon Lifeline”. Rather than creating a new internet plan like many other companies, Verizon boosts the discount you’d normally get from the government-sponsored Lifeline Discount Program.
Lifeline offers $9.25 off internet service each month. Verizon’s added discount brings that all the way to $20 off the internet plan of your choice.
While Verizon’s deal isn’t as affordable as the other low-income initiatives, it offers the fastest speeds on our list. Although it costs more it’s worth exploring if you’re required to have zoom meetings for school or work.
| Provider Initiative | Program and Speed | How to Qualify | Offer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Altice Optimum | Altice Advantage Internet - up to 30 Mbps | New customers with a child recipient of NSLP, seniors eligible for SSI, or veterans receiving public assistance | $14.99/mo | Learn More |
| Altice Suddenlink | Altice Advantage Internet - up to 30 Mbps | New customers with a child recipient of NSLP, seniors eligible for SSI, or veterans receiving public assistance | $14.99/mo. | Learn More |
| AT&T Access | Access program internet - up to 10 Mbps | At least one person in household must participate in SNAP | $10.00/mo. | Learn More |
| Comcast Xfinity | Internet Essentials package - up to 25 Mbps | New Xfinity customers who are eligible for public assistance programs | $9.95/mo. | Learn More |
| Cox Connect2Compete | Internet through Connect2Compete program - up to 50 Mbps | New Cox customers with at least one K–12 student in household who qualifies for public assistance programs (NSLP, SNAP, TANF, HUD) | $9.95/mo. | Learn More |
| Federal Communication Commission | Lifeline discount | Households that make less than 135% of federal poverty guideline or have at least one member participating in public assistance programs | $9.95 off monthly internet | Learn More |
| Mediacom | Connect2Compete Internet program - up to 25 Mbps | New Mediacom customers with at least one K–12 student in household who qualifies for National School Lunch Program | $9.95/mo. | Learn More |
| Verizon Lifeline | Monthly discount off fiber internet plans - 200 Mbps–940/880 Mbps | New Verizon customers who are enrolled in the Lifeline Discount Program | $20 off monthly internet bill | Learn More |
Understanding the Lifeline government assistance program
Lifeline is a government program backed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). It provides a monthly phone or internet service discount for low-income households. It’s a government-sponsored program that works directly with internet providers to create lower monthly rates for low-income households.
Lifeline benefits give eligible subscribers a discount of at least $9.25 per month off either landline phone service, wireless phone service, broadband, or bundled services.
Enhanced Lifeline benefits for Tribal lands bumps the discount up an extra $25 for a total discount of $34.95 per month for households within federally recognized Tribal lands.
How do I qualify for Lifeline?
There are two ways to qualify for Lifeline:
You can qualify through your income. If your income is 135% of the federal poverty guidelines or less, you can qualify for Lifeline assistance. The guidelines vary by household size and the state you live in, but the average federal poverty guideline is generally an annual income of about $34,000 for a family of four.
You can qualify through a government program. If you or someone in your household participates in select federal assistance programs, you may qualify for Lifeline. These are the eligible programs:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefits
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
- Medicaid
- Tribal Programs for Native Americans
You can also qualify if a child or dependent in your household participates in one of the listed programs.
How does Lifeline work?
If you qualify, you choose a participating provider in your area and sign up. You’ll have to provide proof of eligibility and renew your Lifeline subscription every year. You can also have only one Lifeline benefit per household, so you have to choose between a phone, internet, or bundled service subsidy.
Get your free or low-cost internet today
Due to the pandemic, advanced Internet teleconferencing, and remote school instructions, it’s more important than ever to stay connected. Don’t be shy and take advantage of Lifeline or these other programs now to keep your kids up to speed and compete with work, or simply to stay in touch with family.
