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Let's be honest, who doesn't want cheap and affordable or even free internet service? I certainly do and I have benefitted from one of the programs listed below. Paying $80 or more toward your monthly internet bill can be a real budget-buster when you’re living on a tight budget. If you qualify as low income in the United States, then you need this list of free or cheap low income internet services from Low Income Relief. Keep reading below for details!
Free Internet Service Programs:
Free internet would be fabulous, right? Although we’ve found a lot of low income internet programs, we’ve only found a few free ones. They’re usually very limited geographically, in the United States.
Some libraries offer free mobile hotspots you can take home
You may be able to literally check out the internet from your local library! We’ve found many libraries that offer this service. Some even let you keep the hot spot all school-year long! Check this list to see if your local library offers a take-home mobile hot sport for free internet.
Some schools offer free internet services, too
There are hundreds of schools across the United States that offer free internet to their students to ensure that they are able to do their school work. Contact your local school to check if they offer this program.
Free internet would be fabulous, right? Although we’ve found a lot of low income internet programs, we’ve only found a few free ones. They’re usually very limited geographically, in the United States.
Some libraries offer free mobile hotspots you can take home
You may be able to literally check out the internet from your local library! We’ve found many libraries that offer this service. Some even let you keep the hot spot all school-year long! Check this list to see if your local library offers a take-home mobile hot sport for free internet.
Some schools offer free internet services, too
There are hundreds of schools across the United States that offer free internet to their students to ensure that they are able to do their school work. Contact your local school to check if they offer this program.
Some areas are introducing free internet for low income residents
With an increasing need for stable, high-quality internet connections, some areas are branching out and providing low income access. Here are a couple of examples:
Marin County, California, just announced that they will be introducing Free Neighborhood WiFi. This program will provide two years of internet services for up to 300 low income households, with a focus on providing the internet to low income students.
Brookline, Massachusetts is served by Tech Buddies. This organization is helping low income seniors and disabled people receive free tablets and/or free internet service for one year!
With an increasing need for stable, high-quality internet connections, some areas are branching out and providing low income access. Here are a couple of examples:
Marin County, California, just announced that they will be introducing Free Neighborhood WiFi. This program will provide two years of internet services for up to 300 low income households, with a focus on providing the internet to low income students.
Brookline, Massachusetts is served by Tech Buddies. This organization is helping low income seniors and disabled people receive free tablets and/or free internet service for one year!
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Apply for the Affordable Connectivity Program:
The Affordable Connectivity Program is a new low income internet program that helps low income households afford broadband internet access. This benefit provides up to $30 per month toward the internet service for the households. If you live on Tribal lands, the benefit is up to $75 per month!
You may be eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program if you have a household income that is 200% or less of the Federal Poverty Guidelines OR if at least ONE member of your household participates in at least ONE of the programs listed below:
If you are eligible, there’s a two-step process to apply. you must go to ACPBenefit.org to submit your application (or print and mail an application). Then, once you approved, you must contact your preferred internet provider and select a plan. The ACP Benefit discount will be applied to your monthly bill.
You may also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer. You will need to pay between $10 and $50 for the device in order to use the discount. How long does it take to get the Affordable Connectivity Program? Not long at all! You should receive a response within 48 hours of applying.
The Affordable Connectivity Program is a new low income internet program that helps low income households afford broadband internet access. This benefit provides up to $30 per month toward the internet service for the households. If you live on Tribal lands, the benefit is up to $75 per month!
You may be eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program if you have a household income that is 200% or less of the Federal Poverty Guidelines OR if at least ONE member of your household participates in at least ONE of the programs listed below:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (food stamps, EBT)
- Medicaid
- Federal Public Housing Assistance
- SSI
- WIC
- Lifeline
- National School Lunch Programs
- National School Breakfast Programs
- Federal Pell Grant (current award year)
- Tribal-specific programs, such as Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Tribal TANF, or Food Distribution Programs on Indian Reservations
If you are eligible, there’s a two-step process to apply. you must go to ACPBenefit.org to submit your application (or print and mail an application). Then, once you approved, you must contact your preferred internet provider and select a plan. The ACP Benefit discount will be applied to your monthly bill.
You may also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer. You will need to pay between $10 and $50 for the device in order to use the discount. How long does it take to get the Affordable Connectivity Program? Not long at all! You should receive a response within 48 hours of applying.
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Free Internet from Major ISPs:
Fortunately, many major Internet providers already provide affordable Internet programs for low income customers. You can choose whether you’d like service through AT&T, CenturyLink, Comcast or other providers. Of course, not all services are available in all areas and not all programs have the same eligibility criteria. If you don’t qualify for one program, just check another.
Comcast Internet Essentials is $9.95/month (Free with ACP)
Comcast Internet Essentials is free when you use your Affordable Connectivity Program benefits. When you use ACP, you can get Internet Essentials PLUS for free, which provides speeds of up to 100 Mbps. Of all of the programs I’ve found, Comcast Internet Essentials is my favorite. You’ll receive speeds of up to 50 Mbps with no installation fees, no credit checks and no long-term contracts. This program is available to low income families, veterans, seniors, college students and people with Section 8 housing vouchers. Get the details.
Spectrum Internet Assist is $17.99/month (Free with ACP)
If you live in an area served by Spectrum, then you’ll want to check out their low income internet deal. Are you interested in getting Charter Spectrum for just $17.99 per month?
Google Fiber is Free for select customers
The Google Fiber program isn’t as straightforward as most of the other low income internet programs we’ve discovered. Google offers a free Gigabit Internet for Select Affordable and Public Housing program. This program is only available for customers who live in specific public housing and affordable housing properties. If you are eligible, you can get 1GB upload and download speeds for free, with no contracts, no construction fees and no installation fees.
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Other Low Income Internet Providers:
Although the providers listed above are fairly well known nationwide, there are several smaller, more localized providers that also offer low income internet services.
Frontier Internet is $20/month
Frontier provides low income internet to 26 states, which is more than the remaining of the providers on this list. Unfortunately, their monthly price is also more than the rest of the providers on this list. Here’s what we know about getting Frontier Communications for just $20 per month.
Mediacom Cable is $10/month
Mediacom serves 1,500 cities across 22 states. If you’d like to save money on Mediacom internet service, you’ll want to read what we learned about getting Mediacom for just $9.95 per month.
Cox Communications is $10/month
Cox Communications provides service in Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island and Virginia. If you’re low income in that area, check out this post about how to get Cox Communications for just $9.95.
Altice Internet Advantage is $15/month
If you’re interested in a discounted program for Altice, Suddenlink Internet or Optimum Internet service, then you’re looking for Altice Internet Advantage. It’s a great program for families and seniors. Altice Internet Advantage is just $14.99.
Eagle Communications is $10/month
Eagle Communications provides low income internet service in Colorado, Kansas and Nebraska. We’ve got all the details and an application so you can get Eagle Communications for just $9.95 per month.
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