Do you belong to a low-income group? Do you find it hard to manage all the expenses? Well, there is good news for you. You can now get your hands on affordable Internet deals. Moreover, in some cases, you are also eligible for free Internet. Yes, you read that right. FREE INTERNET.
From Spectrum discount for low-income groups to AT&T offering special plans, various companies facilitate people who cannot afford to subscribe to pricey deals.
Government Assistance Internet Programs
If you thought that the service providing companies are the only ones offering the leverage to the low-income groups, you were wrong all this time. The following are some of the government programs that assist you if you qualify.
Lifeline
This program caters to low-income households. Created by the Federal Communications Commission, you can use this program to get reasonably priced phone services, broadband Internet, or a bundled package if you like. The best part is that if you meet the criteria, your Internet and phone bill gets reduced to just $9.25/month.
In case you are wondering what the criteria for qualification is, here are the requirements:
- Your monthly income should be less than or equal to 135% of the amount mentioned in Federal Poverty Guidelines
Or
- You should be a participant in federal programs. Any of them. The list includes Medicaid or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
Link Up
If you are a resident of tribal land, then you are eligible for this program. However, you must reside in a tribal land that the federal government recognizes as one as well. And if you do, you will get amazing discounts of up to $25/month on your Internet connection. Apart from that, you will also get up to $100 discount for a first-time connection.
EveryoneOn
A nonprofit program, EveryoneOn connects the low-income families with the low-cost providers of Internet and phone services. Apart from that, this program also aims at giving computer training to individuals. Eligible people can enjoy Internet connection for $10-$20/month. Not only this, but EveryoneOn also supplies inexpensive computers to families. Thus, facilitating them to start earning online. To be eligible for this program you must be participating in any of the government assistance programs.
Apart from these mentioned programs, there is a list of more including PCs for People, and Human-I-T.
Internet Service Providing Company Programs
AT&T
AT&T offers a program by the name Access from AT&T. The participants of this program will receive either of the two – 786 Kbps to 3 Mbps Internet connection for $5 a month or 3 Mbps to 10 Mbps speed for $10/month. Note that this will depend on the area that you reside in. Apart from this, the program aims at saving you from paying any installation costs or deposits. Moreover, you also become eligible to get access to AT&T hotspots free as well.
For you to qualify for this program, at least one of your family members should be participating in SNAP. However, you should be aware of the fact that AT&T charges an extra fee for the modem. Other than that, you will also have to pay an extra amount if you exceed your data cap limit.
Spectrum
Apart from AT&T, Spectrum is also providing a program to assist low-income groups. Spectrum’s program comes with the name of Internet Assist. And if you qualify for this program, you will be able to get access to Internet speeds of up to 30 Mbps. Apart from that, you will also get a free modem and a security suite. Not only this, but you also get to relish the ‘no data caps’ scheme. Moreover, you do not have to worry about getting into any contracts either. Parental controls are also available.
For you to qualify for this amazing program, you have to be participating in the National School Lunch Program. Or you have to be a part of Community Eligibility Provision. In case you do, you will have to pay a minimum amount of $17.99/month. However, if you wish to purchase a router, you will have to pay an extra $5/month.
CenturyLink
Joining the bandwagon is CenturyLink as well. The company’s program ‘Internet Basics’ offers high-speed Internet at a whopping price range of $9.95 to $19.95/month. The price will depend on the speed range that you select for yourself.
For you to be able to qualify for this program, you should be a part of a federal program. Names of some of the programs include Home Energy Assistance Program, Medicaid, and SNAP. However, remember that you will have to pay for the activation as well as the installation fee.
Other than these companies, others offering low income Internet guides include Mediacom, Cox, Windstream, and Frontier. Hope you find this helpful and can look for a provider that assists you with low-income Internet.
