How to Get Low-Cost Internet Assistance

There are some free internet options out there for users who rarely use the internet, those with access to dial-up, or people interested in getting some free hotspot data for their phone. 

Before you start wading through all the details on who qualifies for low-cost internet programs and how, it's good to start with some basic knowledge. Sometimes acronyms and fine print can make your search more confusing, so let's clear things up a bit.

The government sure does like its acronyms, and that can make it difficult to tell if you qualify for certain internet assistance programs. Here's a quick cheat sheet to some of the more common federal assistance programs you might see:

• 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

If you're already paying for internet service, you'll want to pay close attention to the fine print on any low-income internet plans offered by your ISP.

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.

You won't find extra fees hidden in the fine print for government assistance programs, but some internet provider programs do include surprises.

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.

Many large internet providers, including Xfinity, Spectrum, and AT&T, offer special plans at a reduced cost.

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.

AT&T | Comcast Xfinity | Cox | Astound Broadband, powered by RCN, Wave, or Grande | XTREAM powered by Mediacom | Optimum | Q-Link Wireless | Spectrum (Charter) | Verizon Fios Home Internet

Altice Advantage offers a discounted internet plan for K-12 and college students, their families, seniors, and veterans. The program is available in areas where you can subscribe to Optimum internet.

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.

Optimum customers: Apply Online or Call 866-200-9522 | Check Eligibility

The AT&T Access program costs $10 a month and gets you download speeds up to 25 Mbps. The speeds likely depend on where you live, but the cost is less if your speeds are less than 25 Mbps.

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.

Apply Now | Check AT&T Access Eligibility

Comcast Xfinity's Internet Essentials plan comes with reasonable download speeds of 50 Mbps. The ISP is also continuing its offer of two months of free Internet Essentials service for new customers in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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.

Apply Now | Check Internet Essentials Eligibility

The Cox Connect2Compete program offers low-income families with K-12 children 25 Mbps internet for about $10 a month. The plan comes with no contract and free installation, plus no deposit is required.

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

Apply Now or Call 855-222-3252 | Check Cox Connect2Compete Eligibility

If you're in an area that gets internet from Astound Broadband, powered by RCN, Wave, or Grande, you might be eligible for the Internet First program. It costs about $10 a month and gets you download speeds up to 50 Mbps.

Internet First doesn't require a contract or credit check, and you won't need to pay an installation fee.

Apply Now | Check Cox Connect2Compete Eligibility

The XTREAM powered by Mediacom Connect2Compete plan comes with 25 Mbps download speeds for about $10 a month. You won't need to sign a contract, pay a deposit, or pay installation or equipment rental fees.

You can get the XTREAM powered by 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.

Apply Now or Call 1-855-904-2225 | Check XTREAM powered by Mediacom Connect2Compete Eligibility

Q-Link Wireless is kind of an oddball on our list of internet providers. But along with unlimited free talk and text, it also offers 4.5 GB of mobile internet data for free each month. And that's all on T-Mobile's highly rated cellular network.

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.

Apply Now or Call 1-855-754-6543 | Check Q-Link/Lifeline Eligibility

Spectrum (previously known as Charter Communications or Time Warner Cable) offers its Internet Assist low-income internet plan for about $15 a month. You'll get download speeds of 30 Mbps with unlimited data and won't need to sign a contract.

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 - OCS
4145 S. Falkenburg Road, Riverview, Florida 33578

MAILFORSIA@charter.com

Download Form in English | Descarga El Formulario en Español

Apply Now | Check Spectrum Internet Assist Eligibility

The Verizon Lifeline program is slightly different than the government's Lifeline assistance program, but it requires you to qualify for and enroll in the government Lifeline program.

If your internet provider doesn't offer a low-cost internet plan, a government assistance program might help your family connect to the internet.

Verizon's program gives you a $20 a month discount on any of its fiber internet plans, bringing the prices down to about $20 to $60 a month.

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 Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is the new version of the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program. The ACP is a permanent government assistance program that discounts internet service by up to $30 a month (up to $75 a month if you live on Tribal lands). It also provides you $100 toward a new device, like a laptop or tablet.

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

Apply Now | Read the ACP Guide

Lifeline is a government program that gives you a $9.25 discount on mobile or internet service. There are a couple of different ways you can qualify for Lifeline:

• 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.

There's also a Tribal Lifeline program that offers a $34.25 discount per month, but you must live on Tribal lands to qualify. If you live on Tribal lands, you're eligible for the Tribal Lifeline program if you're enrolled in the government assistance programs listed above or any of the following programs:

• Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
• Head Start
• Tribal TANF
• Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations

If you're having trouble finding a low-income internet assistance program in your area, there are organizations that can help you with your search. Some also provide low-cost tech, like laptops and tablets.

Here's a quick look at some of the nationwide organizations that can help:

EveryoneOn is a nonprofit that helps families find low-cost internet service in your area. The organization also helps you find affordable equipment, like computers and tablets.

PCs for People refurbishes used computers and devices, then resells them at a much more affordable cost. It also offers low-cost mobile internet service with 4G LTE speeds at $15 a month.

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.

Human-I-T collects donated technology and refurbishes it, then gets it in the hands of low-income families. It also helps you find low-income internet programs in your area.

Have more questions about how you qualify for free or low-cost internet assistance? We can help.

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