This is big news. Telephone, Internet and cable TV behemoth AT&T is now offering high-speed internet to low-income families for just $5 a month. There’s just one small catch — and it’s a very small one, indeed — at least one person in the household must receive food stamp benefits (SNAP).
The new program is called Access from AT&T. After prolonged negotiations with the Federal Communications Commission, the company agreed to offer this great discount plan in order to get permission to acquire DirecTV.
“Access from AT&T will offer 3Mbps connections for $5 a month, and faster 5Mbps or 10Mbps connections for $10 a month,” money.com said. “Installation and equipment fees will also be waived. People don’t actually get to choose their speed, they’ll automatically be assigned the fastest available where they live.”
Refurbished computers will also be made available for less than $150 to qualifying customers.
We expect Access from AT&T to be a very popular program across the country because 22 million families receive assistance from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (also known as SNAP or Food Stamps).
High-speed AT&T broadband service is now available in 21 states: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin. That includes 2/3 of the residents of the United States.
This is clearly a huge leap forward for America’s financially-struggling families. Combined with similar, but more expensive programs from Comcast, Google Fiber, Cox Communications and CenturyLink, it could potentially help millions of families to bridge the Digital Divide — that gap that separates the richest Americans from the poorest in terms of home access to the internet.
The program isn’t perfect. And neither is the FCC.
“Though any connection might be an improvement for many homes, 10Mbps and under is still considered a slow connection. According to the FCC, a broadband connection is 25Mpbs and up,” money.com said. “There will be data limits for people using the program, up to 600GB a month, and overage charges for anyone who uses more.”
As much as we think this program can potentially help millions of American families, we are still left less than enthusiastic about those edicts from the FCC.
Here’s how CheapInternet.com’s Director of Tech Services reacted to those :
What’s crazy is the government’s typical non-understanding of the technical issues. No one NEEDS 25Mpbs speed and almost no one uses anywhere near 600GB a month. Not even heavy Internet users. It’s incredible foolishness to force Internet service providers to provide that level of service.
This is the “thinking” (and I use that word very loosely) that is going to raise the prices for everyone else — trying to give all the low-income families the speed and limits that those who pay $60 a month can’t even get. In the end, everyone else will end up paying $90 instead of $60 for service they don’t need, so others can pay $5 for service they don’t need.
The Access from AT&T plan is scheduled to be offered through the year 2020.
What remains to be seen is if AT&T will promote this program as aggressively as Comcast promotes its competitive Internet Essentials program or if it will attempt to hide it as CenturyLink does with its Internet Basics program. In all three cases, the programs were mandated in order to gain FCC approval of the companies’ mergers and acquisitions.
It sounds like a great plan and we hope AT&T follows in the footsteps of the former rather than the latter.
For more information and how to enroll, please read our page on Access from AT&T.
Ronnie Graham says
My son is 12 , he free lunch in school , and I get food stamps for him (snap). I will like to get the internet
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
You cannot enroll with us, Ronnie, because this is an independent informational website. You need to contact AT&T directly.
gw says
You are Welcome, Hope it Helps Others…!
gw says
Just turned 69 last month and I Finally got Hooked Up thru AT&T Access…! I get around 10Mbps Download and around 1+Mbps Upload with a Limit of 1(One) Terra-byte of Data for $10…! Haven’t received My 1st Bill yet but I was told it would be $10 with a Possible Surcharge because I have No Credit and that, That is OK…!
I had DSL Extreme with around 12Mbps d/l and 1 Mbps u/l at $42. a Month and They went up to $65. a Month and said I could get back to the $42. a Month if I signed up for another year…!
AT&T Came Through at just the Right Time for once…! Check out the AT&T Access Program on this Site, If You Qualify You won’t go Wrong…! Have A Great Day and May GOD Bless You and Yours…!
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Thanks for the info, GW. It’s always good to hear from happy consumers who have been helped by these programs.
margaret ventura says
I receive foodstamps
Gillian M Leach says
I receive social security, food stamps and Medicaid.
Gillian M Leach says
How soon will I be notified?
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Of what?
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Sounds like you qualify for several of the programs, Gillian. Check out all the low-income internet plans at the following link to find the ones that you qualify for (and that are available in your area):
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet
Sharma Wentworth says
Sure I have been approved but guess what ….they do not cover my area!
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Where do you live, Sharma? There’s almost nowhere in the country, other than extremely isolated rural areas, where one of the low-income plans isn’t available. Check them all out at this link:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet
tammy says
I’m disabled because i fell in a meat grinder. I get S.S. but make too much to get any food asst. Do i still qualify for low income?
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
That’s a horrible sounding accident, Tammy. Hope you’re doing ok. In answer to your question, there are a couple plans that may work for you. One is PCs for People, which permits higher income levels, and the other is 4GCommunity, which has no income requirements. You can read more about both of them here:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet
The only restriction is that you must live in an area covered by the Sprint national cell network.
Sonya says
I have been trying to get internet with the access internet program for a month now. We need it because I commute all four of my children to private schools (4hrs round trip) and currently decided to home school them. I am still waiting. It is so unfortunate that I have to depend on a free service that has been setup and still unable to assist those in need with this process being so unproductive. I have missed work and called every day. They finally emailed me the application and then I emailed it and faxed it and they denied me, stating I didn’t send documentation, when I did. Now I have to wait on another application and it has already been a month. I have to send home school equipment back due to this and find another private school for my children. I have slipped in a deep depression and still trying to motivated about being in this country. I also work in education and make ok money but due to the company I work for I am paying into two retirement systems and paying two state taxes so that does not leave me with any funds to raise a family of five. fml!
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Sorry to hear about your problems, Sonya. Have you looked at all the other law-income options that are available? You may find one in your area for which you’re available. Heck, you might even find a better plan. Here’s where you can check them all out:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet
robert diaz says
I am low income, no children
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Unfortunately, Robert, most of the plans require children in the household. A couple seniors plans are now available, but in most cases are restricted to HUD-assisted housing. But there is still one plan for which you may be eligible (if it’s available in your area). Check out PCs for People on this page:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet
Bob Jones says
Please learn proper spelling and CAPITALIZATION of your name and a capital I.Fucken ILLITERATES!!!!
Bob Jones says
I is always CAPITAL I.Your name is always spelled with a CAPITAL letter.So sad that people are ILLITERATE on here!!!!!
vickie laner says
i am on social security disability , i shop, pay my bill online. i do not have a car , it is hard for me to take care of my business, with out internet i am lost, please tell me howto apply for low cost internet thank you, vickie laner
vickie laner says
i am low income trying to survive on social security disability, and i pay my bills online, but my internet is so expensive i no longer will be able to afford to keep internet. please contact me and let know how to apply for lower cost internet.
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
We can’t contact you directly, Vickie, because of the sheer load of comments and requests we get every day. But we hope you’ll see our answer here.
Here’s our page devoted to the various low-income internet plans available. Check them all out carefully to find one for which you qualify and which is also available where you live. Then contact that company (we provide the contact info) and enroll. It’s a pretty simple process.
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
We cannot contact all the readers who ask just because of the sheer volume of requests we get every day. So we hope you see this response to your comment.
AT&T isn’t the only low-income internet plan available, Vickie. There are many others. Here’s where you can review them all to find one for which you qualify and one that’s available where you live:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet
Tameka says
I was referring to the Access from At&t program, not the cell phone Access. I see new articles about expansion but not in “poor” areas.
Tameka says
I’ve been approved for Access, but my neighborhood speeds are too slow. Even the U verse I have is only 1.5 mpbs downloads. They won’t expand it, so its pretty useless. The poor still lose.
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Access is a Lifeline free government cell phone company, Tameka. We hope that one of the low-income internet plans will solve your problem. If the Sprint national network covers your area, PCs for People might be a good solution for you, but check them all out.
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet
Shirley says
God help these people who have not had trauma, and catastrophic events come into their happy successfull lives. Feeling the hate in the hearts of some ,, Kat . Let me say I was a thriving member of society too, and in the blink of an eye, life became something I never could have imagined! Retirement, savings, Ira s, 401k, I thought I was gonna be ready for an early retirement! wrong,, stuff happens!
Till you have walked in someone’s shoes, you should keep your hatred to yourself. try to enjoy life and Be Happy!
Thank you to those trying to help their fellow man and woman,
Joyce McClurg says
Where do you apply for Lifeline Broadband? My son wants to apply.
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Lifeline Broadband is not yet available, Joyce. It all begins on December 1. Until then, check out all the low-income programss shown in this article:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet
Dan says
My kids and I are on snap. I applied and have heard nothing, how long does it take for a reply?
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
You should call AT&T to check the status of your order, Dan. Our readers say it’s not unusual for customer service reps to know nothing about this program, so ask for a supervisor.
Kelly Swaney says
I am interested in getting cheap internet from r my Obama phone pls and am an American, natural born citizen who is in temporary disability, low income housing, California SNAP program. Can I apply for cheap internet pls.
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Sounds like you may qualify, Kelly, so there’s no reason you shouldn’t apply. There are a number of programs available and each of them has slightly different qualification requirements and each of them is available in different regions of the country. So check them all out to find the one that works best for you. You can find them all here:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet
Then contact the company/plan that you like best by using the contact info we provide for each company.
LORI W says
Lots of questions are answered here: http://www.att.com/shop/internet/access/#/ It says existing AT&T users can get sign up for the Access program. And also explains that if you have bundled services already, you may be able to keep bundled pricing for those other AT&T services. Good news for many!
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Thanks for that input, Lori. Many of our readers will surely appreciate it.
ann says
I already have an account with at&t but they just went up on it and I’m on snap. how can I apply for this?
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
AT&T has not made that clear. There is nothing on the company website indicating that you cannot switch from a regular account to Access, but we’d love to know the answer to this, too. You should contact Access from AT&T to get the most accurate answer. Please let us know after you find out.
Wanda Robertson says
I qualified for safelink; what kind of phone comes with this service?
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
You’re on the wrong website, Wanda. You need to visit our other website, FreeGovernmentCellPLhones.net. Here’s a link that will take you to our “Do You Qualify?” Page:
http://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/basics/qualify
Burt Rao says
So many different options – very confusing. I am a senior, living in subsidized senior residence in Chicago IL, on a meager pension, on link card/SNAPS. I am also an avid computer user, looking for jobs, regularly use Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn etc. I have a very small cell phone (not Smart phone) free, a Obama handout. I go to the library to go on line but usage time, travel time, walking etc is a strain on my health. PLEASE help me in choosing the right product in relations to lifeline Broadband/Mobile Broadband. Thanks. You are doing a wonderful job and giving the needy public valuable first-off
advice.
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
First thing, Burt, is that there are no options aimed exclusively at seniors. There’s currently a seniors pilot program being conducted, but it won’t go national until the results of the pilot program have been analyzed.
That means you do need to go through all the options on our “Low-Income Internet” page to determine which programs are available in your area and which ones you may qualify for. If you live in an area covered by the Sprint cell network, we would recommend that you apply at PCs for People. Here’s a page that lists all the plans for you to check. There aren’t really that many of them:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet
Good luck.
VINCENT says
HI, WJHEN WILL NYS BE INCLUDED AS ONE OF THE ELIGIBLE STATES? THANKS
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
That has not yet been determined, Vincent. How about if you sign up for our newsletter in the upper right hand corner of this page. Then you’ll hear the news as soon as we report it.
Don Fooshee says
AT&T in Las Vegas is a waste of your time. I qualify, so I put in my address and they said too bad we don’t cover that area. So I tried five different addresses from all around town, North Vegas, Henderson, and three others from the City of Vegas. All had the same answer! No! Anyway they said they would be happy to sell me on other pay services. Its a shame but its a sham! AT&T its bad that you lie to Americas poorest Seniors!
JOE WHITE says
IT’S NOT COOL TO HELP PEOPLE THAT ARE DISABLED. ONLY THOSE ON WELFARE AND SNAP…..GIGIDDY GIGIDDY……
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Gigiddy, gigiddy, indeed, Joe.
JOE WHITE says
PEOPLE ON SS REALLY DON’T MATTER TO YOU PEOPLE DO THEY…..
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
They matter very much, Joe. Most people on SSI have an income low enough to qualify.
monica perez says
Why don’t you have discount high speed inrenet for disability or foodstamps in Tucson az
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
AT&T isn’t the only low-income Internet plan available, Monica. Check out the others and you’ll probably find one that can help you in Tucson:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet
Each of the plans has different eligibility requirements and serves different geographic areas. Good luck.
TONY says
Called AT&T 5 TIMES about the low income internet.. NOBODY had a clue as to what i was talking about. I even READ them the info over the phone. Two people hung up on me because they were LOST.. SSSSOOOO How am i to sign up for ACCESS from AT&T IF NOBODY knows anything?????? I was on the phone for over an hour…..
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Our philosophy is that you should always go up the chain of command. If you speak to someone who seems uninformed or unable to help you, ask to speak to their supervisors. And if the supervisors are no better, ask to speak to that person’s supervisor.
Diane Foster says
I am a low income senior living in a HUD apt. I was turned down for food stamps .What does that have to do with $5 internet anyway ?? I have no small children therefore I don’t qualify for all the free stuff. How does living on $700 sound ?/
I know people with a bunch of kids that sell their food stamps yet I can’t get food stamps or $5 internet and I don’t live in south Dallas .I live in Balch Springs . Way to go Obama !!!
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Do you live in an area covered by the Sprint network, Diane? If so, check out this program called PCs for People:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet/pcs-for-people
Roberta Clarke says
I’m all in for cheap internet for low income families but what bugs me about the AT&T and the Cox Cable programs are they aren’t available for all people on food stamps. I live in Oregon and neither program helps us here. I scrape together pennies every month in order to afford the internet. And I can’t really say I can “afford” it because the 60 bucks a month really should be going towards helping my grandkids more. Where’s the fairness in all this?
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
We hear you, Barbara. Unfortunately, it’s impossible for companies to offer Internet service in areas where they don’t do business. But have you checked out our list of all the subsidized cheap Internet programs? Maybe one of the others will work for you. Read this article:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet
Sue says
I am disabled, in too much pain or to even be a greeter at a 25 mile away Wal-Mart,… I am grateful for this. Thank you very much. I spend hrs doing surveys for extra money, …. I can not afford internet… and this data is very very slow, I am losing survey job opps. If this works, will be great. I do not have cable TV, nor landline, nor air conditioning, bad freezer, no plumbing cos due to not enof heat, the pipes froze. I am dreadfully sick, not enof $ for gas to Docs, I need the small amts I get from surverys, selling on ebay does not always work, lots of times I would end up not selling anything but still paying ebays fees….. ebay slight rip off when they do not put your items in search…. no one sees the stuff, so no one buys it! Being poor is very expensive. As to food card, not enof money for my restricted died…. I get so very sick. …. fresh food, is expensive, no ok frig, no good running water, no stove and I still can not replace the microwave that konked out 3 months ago. Poverty is such a treat….. do not get beat up, do not hurt yrself so u can not to hard physical labor when u are old. Poverty, being on SSD, sucks, … so if AT&T does this, great, thanks, hope it is wireless type cos thats all my tablet can do, wifi, I can not afford a real computer.
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Best wishes, Sue. We hope you are able to sign up for the AT&T $5 per month plan and that it helps improve your financial situation.
Kat Wood says
How wonderful for most people who sit on their butt’s all day, internet for $5.00 a month. While our working Senior Citizen’s who are now retired get no break from AT&T, goes to show you how you are rewarded for being on welfare, but not for being a from the working class………Good Job AT&T!!!!!!!!!