High-speed internet has become a necessity for almost everyone. From staying connected with friends and family to working remote jobs or even attending online classes, connection to the internet is now more important than ever. But, internet plans with stable connections and decent speed can often be expensive, especially for fixed or low-income individuals. In such situations, individuals can look for the cheapest internet service. Besides, there are also free internet options for low-income groups.
Lifeline program
This is a federal program that has been developed to provide affordable telephone and internet services to those with low income. The initiative was launched in 1985, aiming to make phone services affordable for low-income households. It still covers wireless and landline plans and has been expanded to include home broadband services as well. This can help individuals stay connected with schooling opportunities, job prospects, and family services. The program offers a monthly benefit of about $9.25 to offset the costs of internet connection. The program is available nationwide, but there are certain eligibility criteria that a family or individual has to meet to gain the benefits. A family can be eligible if any one member is a participant in government assistance initiatives like Federal Public Housing Assistance, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Supplemental Security Income, and Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit Programs.
Even if a person does not participate in any of these programs, they may still be eligible based on their income. Generally, a household can qualify for the Lifeline program if the total income is equal to or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines 2024.
Nonprofit programs
There are several nonprofits that work to provide affordable internet access to low-income households. Some of these NGOs include Connected Nation, PCs for People, and EveryoneOn.
- Connected Nation works to create and roll out innovative communication solutions that expand the adoption, access, and usage of high-speed internet and its associated technologies among low-income families.
- PCs for People offers an extensive, low-cost internet program. It starts from around $15 per month. At this minimal cost, one can get access to networks of popular internet service providers like T-Mobile’s 4G LTE network. But, there are certain terms and conditions that must be followed to take advantage of these programs. For example, one must buy a mobile hotspot device from the service provider. Also, proof of participation in government assistance programs or income proof for eligibility must be submitted.
- EveryoneOn is a nonprofit that is committed to helping low-income households access affordable internet services and avail of digital skills training through free online resources.
Low-cost internet options from major ISPs
Several major internet service providers also have plans and programs that offer discounted rates and additional benefits on internet services for those on fixed income or low income.
AT&T
The telecommunications service provider has a low-income program that offers plans with maximum speeds of 100Mbps. This is offered to households that qualify based on certain eligibility criteria. To qualify for this program, one has to be eligible for federal programs like SNAP or the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). Alternatively, if a household’s income is below 200% of federal poverty guidelines, they can also apply for this program. The plan mostly covers the legacy DSL network as well as the fiber network of AT&T. The cost of the program is around $30 monthly. There are no data caps and the price is inclusive of the equipment. But if one is getting a connection with only DSL and 10Mbps or less as the maximum speed limit, the cost would be $10 per month with data caps.
Cox
This service provider offers several affordable internet options for low-income individuals. The plans have internet connections with download speeds up to 100Mbps. The cost is around $30 every month for households that are eligible for at least one federal assistance program. There are also other plans that cost about $10 per month for families that are eligible for at least one federal assistance program and have one child who is pursuing K-12 education. Additionally, the service provider might ask for eligibility verification documentation.
Optimum
For prices as low as $15 per month, Optimum offers internet plans that have maximum speeds of up to 50Mbps. These plans generally include a router and do not have any data caps or long-term contracts. To qualify for these plans, a household must participate in the NSLP or be eligible for SSI. Additionally, veterans who are eligible for state or federal public assistance can also apply for these plans.
Verizon
The company’s Forward program offers discounts of up to $30 every month. These discounts apply to plans like 5G Home and LTE Home Internet. To benefit from these plans, one must participate in assistance programs such as SNAP. Verizon also allows combining discounts from the Forward program with the Lifeline program and military discounts. This can help reduce the cost of home internet to around $20 monthly.
Xfinity
This service provider offers affordable internet plans for low-income households. These plans can cost as low as $10 every month. This plan offers speeds up to 50Mbps and is available to households that participate in federal assistance programs like SNAP. Other perks include free digital literacy resources and no-contract plans, which makes Xfinity a reliable choice for many households.