We aren’t aware of any other changes apart from their name, but we will try to keep you updated on any changes that might pop up. Many large internet service providers (ISPs) offer low-cost internet plans, and there are also a few government assistance programs like Lifeline and the Affordable Connectivity Program that can help. Let’s dig into the details to find out which low-cost internet option might help you the most.
FPHA: Federal Public Housing Assistance HUD: Housing and Urban Development’s public housing programs LIHEAP: Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program NSLP: National School Lunch Program CEP of NSLP: Community Eligibility Provision of the National School Lunch Program SNAP: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program TANF: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families WIC: Women, Infants, and Children Program
Most ISPs require you not to have had their service for a certain length of time before you can apply for their low-income plans. For example, Comcast Xfinity’s Internet Essentials plan requires you to not have had Xfinity internet for 90 days before you can apply. If you’re stuck in this window of time where you need low-cost internet but can’t apply for your ISP’s assistance plan just yet, we recommend checking out the Lifeline and Emergency Broadband Benefit programs for help while you wait. For the most part, you shouldn’t need to go through a credit check, pay a deposit, or pay for equipment and installation with internet provider programs. But some, like AT&T Access, may charge you for going over your data cap. And others, like Verizon Lifeline, require an installation and equipment rental fee. We’ve tried to detail any extra fees you might come across in certain ISP programs here. Jump ahead to see your internet provider’s low-income internet program, or enter your zip code to see which ISPs are available in your area. The Altice Advantage plan comes with no contract, but there’s still a (discounted) installation fee. If you enroll in auto-pay, you can get an extra $5 off for three months as well. And at the moment, new subscribers can get the Altice Advantage plan for free for 60 days. If your speeds are slower, you’ll also get a 150 GB data cap, while those who can get 25 Mbps speeds get a 1 TB data cap. Be warned: If you go over your data cap, AT&T can charge you an extra $10 per 50 GB of extra data added to your plan. Data fees aside, AT&T Access comes with no contract and no deposit, plus free installation. You can qualify for Internet Essentials if you or a member of your household is enrolled in Head Start, Medicaid, LIHEAP, NSLP, public housing assistance, SNAP, TANF, a tribal assistance program, WIC, or receives a VA pension. If you owe money on your Comcast bill, you may still qualify for Internet Essentials. Aside from that, Internet Essentials comes with no contract and doesn’t require a credit check. But you can’t have subscribed to Xfinity internet within the past 90 days. If your low-income household or child is enrolled in one of the following programs, you’re eligible for Cox’s Connect2Compete plan:
NSLP SNAP TANF Tenant-based vouchers, project-based vouchers, Section 8 project-based rental assistance, or if you live in public housing
Internet First doesn’t require a contract or credit check, and you won’t need to pay an installation fee. You can get the Mediacom Connect2Compete low-cost internet plan if you have at least one child living at home and enrolled in K-12. Also, at least one child must also qualify for free or reduced-price lunch through the NSLP. Q-Link lets you keep your phone and number, doesn’t require a credit check or contract, and won’t make you pay for your SIM card or to activate your phone on its network. To sign up for Q-Link, you need to be enrolled in the Lifeline program. To qualify for Internet Assist, someone in your household must get free or reduced-cost lunch through the NSLP or be eligible for the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) or the NSLP, or be enrolled in SSI. If you prefer, you can print out the application form and submit it by mail or email to the following address: Spectrum Internet Assist Program - OCS4145 S. Falkenburg Road, Riverview, Florida 33578 MAILFORSIA@charter.com Download Form in English | Descarga El Formulario en Español But, be warned that you’ll still need to pay a $99 one-time setup fee and a $15 a month router rental fee for every plan except the Fios Gigabit Connection plan. Plus, you may need to complete a credit check and pay a deposit. All that said, Verizon’s discounted plans provide enough download speed to support a large family who all need to get online at the same time. Apply Now | Check Verizon Lifeline Eligibility The discounts are applied to your bill by your internet provider if it’s participating in the ACP. To qualify for the ACP, you or someone in your household must meet the following requirements:
Qualifies for the Lifeline program
–OR–
Participates in the free and reduced-price school lunch or school breakfast program (including CEP of NSLP), or participated in the 2019-2020 school year
–OR–
Received a Federal Pell Grant in the current award year
–OR–
Is enrolled in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
To qualify for the Tribal benefit, you or someone in your household must meet the following requirements:
You live on Tribal lands
–AND– Participate in Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Head Start, Tribal TANF, or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
Your household income is 135% or less than national poverty guidelines
–OR– Someone in your household is enrolled in the following:
FPHA Medicaid SNAP SSI Veterans Pension or Survivors Benefits
An easy way to check if you qualify is the Lifeline National Verifier.
Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance Head Start Tribal TANF Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
Here’s a quick look at some of the nationwide organizations that can help: To qualify for its reduced-cost laptops and mobile internet, you’ll need to be at or below 200% of the poverty level, or be enrolled in an income-based government program.
Qualify as low-income based on the national poverty guidelinesHave a child in your household that’s enrolled in the NSLPHave a member of your household enrolled in a federal assistance program like SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, SSI, or Veterans PensionLive on Tribal lands
But if your household doesn’t meet the eligibility requirements, there are other ways to get free internet.
AT&T Access: $10.00/month for up to 25 MbpsComcast Internet Essentials: $9.95/month for 50 MbpsCox Connect2Compete: $9.95/month for 25 MbpsInternet First: (Astound Broadband, powered by Grande, RCN, and Wave) $9.95/month for up to 50 MbpsMediacom Connect2Compete: $9.95/month for 25 MbpsQ-Link Wireless: Free 4.5 GB of mobile internet data at 4G LTE speeds
Also, you may qualify for the Lifeline or Affordable Connectivity Program discounts, which reduce the cost of your monthly internet bill. And due to the COVID-19 pandemic, AT&T offers its low-income Access internet plan to families whose income is at 135% or less than the national poverty guidelines and to households who participate in NSLP or the Head Start program. Find out if you’re eligible for the AT&T Access program and how to apply.
MedicaidLIHEAPPell Grant (Colorado and Illinois only)Public housing assistanceSNAP, NSLP, or Head StartTANFTribal assistance programsWICVA pension
Plus, you’ll need to live in an area where Xfinity internet is available, and you can’t have subscribed to Xfinity internet within the last 90 days. If you owe money to Xfinity for internet service, you may still qualify for the Internet Essentials plan. Learn more about Comcast Internet Essentials and how to apply.
AT&T Access: $10.00/month for up to 25 Mbps internetComcast Xfinity Internet Essentials: $9.95/month for 50 Mbps internetCox Connect2Compete: $9.95/month for 25 Mbps internetInternet First: (Astound Broadband, powered by Grande, RCN, or Wave) $9.95/month for up to 50 Mbps internetLifeline and Tribal Lifeline: $9.25-$34.25 discount on internet serviceQ-Link Wireless: Free 4.5 GB of mobile internet data at 4G LTE speeds
You should first check to see if any of these internet providers offer service in your area. Non-profits like EveryoneOn and Human-I-T can also help you search for low-income internet programs in your area that accept households enrolled in SNAP.
Altice Advantage: $14.99/month for 30 Mbps internet, must have a K-12 or college student who was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and doesn’t have internet access at homeCharter Spectrum Remote Education Offer: Free 200 Mbps internet for 60 days for K-12 and college students, call 1-844-310-1198 to enrollComcast Internet Essentials: $9.95/month for 50 Mbps internet, must live in Colorado or Illinois and receive a Pell GrantVerizon Wireless student discount: Save up to $25.00/month on an Unlimited plan with 50 GB of unthrottled data
Keep in mind that Spectrum’s discount for students may end soon, so make sure you call sooner rather than later.
