Of the approximately 22 million Comcast Internet subscribers, about a half million connect for only $9.95 a month through the Internet Essentials plan. This bargain-priced plan provides eligible households unlimited Internet at a 5Mbps download speed. Families are eligible if they have a child in the home that is qualified to participate in the National School Lunch program. There is a bit more to qualifying than that, and you can click here for more details.
That’s quite a difference in price from the rates that other Comcast customers pay for their regular plans. Yes, you do get higher speeds with standard plans, but for everyday usage, including watching movies, the Internet Essentials speed is all you really need. Especially if you want to save hundreds of dollars a year.
How many of those 22 million Comcast internet subscribers could possibly switch to Internet Essentials? Considering there are over 30 million children in the National School Lunch program, and millions more who qualify and are not participating, there could be millions of existing Comcast subscribers who could be eligible for the reduced priced internet plan.
So why don’t they all switch? For one thing, not everyone knows about it. Although there are campaigns by schools and even Comcast itself, there is still a lack of awareness of the program.
But more than that, there is a catch. A big catch. One that many who have tried to switch have already found out about.
A person can only qualify for Internet Essentials if they have not been a Comcast internet subscriber during the last 90 days. That means if you are currently a Comcast internet subscriber, you’re going to have to cancel your existing internet plan, find somewhere else to access the internet for three months, and then go back to Comcast to enroll in Internet Essentials.
If your contract has not yet ended when you cancel your existing Comcast account, you will probably be required to pay an early cancellation penalty. And don’t even think about not paying the bill in full or not returning any Comcast equipment, because you’ll automatically be disqualified if you have an existing balance due or unreturned equipment.
Can you live without cable internet for three months? Perhaps for that time period you could pay a next door neighbor ten or twenty dollars a month to have access to their wireless network if it is accessible in your home. If your public library or other public facility with free wifi is nearby can you get by with that for three months? Do you have friends or relatives would would let you stop by and use their wireless connection?
We know it’s tough. This catch makes it very difficult for anyone to switch plans. But it may be doable for some people.
Comcast is still trying to get approval to purchase Time-Warner, and the FCC may force Comcast to be more accommodating with Internet Essentials terms. But it’s impossible to predict if and when Internet Essential’s terms of service may change.
Julia says
I currently have Xfinity internet. Today I tried to switch to Internet essentials but was told that I have to wait 90 days to be eligible, therefore nothing has changed yet.
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Yes, you must have your current service for 90 days in order to switch service providers.
Simon says
I recently sign up for two year regular internet from Comcast. Can I switch any time to internet essentials? I on SNAP.
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Check with customer service to confirm, but they generally will not allow a paying customer to switch to Internet Essentials. But ask them about the ACP program. That should be a much simpler switch.
Linh says
Hi
I am using AT&T Access internet, now.
Can I switch from ATT access internet to comcast essential internet for low income families ?
Because ATT internet speed is low.
Comcast offer 50mps, better than ATT
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
If they are both available in your area, you can easily switch from one to the other.
Ryan says
I have xfinity prepaid internet how do I switch to internet essentials
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Enroll with Comcast and once you’ve been accepted, cancel your other service.
Tenya says
I currently have Xfinity Xfi can I switch to Xfinity Essentials being I have 2 kids that are enrolled in school and 1 kid that’s doing Virtual Learning from home
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Unfortunately, you’ll need to cancel your full-priced plan in order to enroll in the low-income plan. And even more unfortunate, you’ll need to go without the plan for 90 days.
Leah says
I am a current Xfinity customer and my contract is about over and I asked them about getting internet essentials and of course they said I have to be without a contract for 3 months (which is insane btw especially in times like these where you are basically required to have internet to do anything because of this pandemic) so my question is can you cancel your contract when its over and go to the Xfinity prepaid service for the 3 months and then sign up for internet essentials? Or possibly switch to AT&T’s low income internet without having to wait 3 months?
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
If you switch companies, going, as you said, from XFinity to AT&T, there would be no wait required. Check out all the plans available in your state to find out if any other them are available in your area:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/states
Kawanna says
That is so crazy that they won’t bend the rules even during a crisis. I get unemployment so my income changed. They will not budge. So sad.
Candace says
I currently was a Comcast customer, but the service was in my boyfriends name, he no longer lives here and im currently considered low income cause I get snap benefits, and Medicaid would I be able to get the eccentials in my name, cause he no longer lives here?
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
We assume that you can get the service because it is now in your name. If we were you, we would simply refer to your boyfriend as “the previous tenant” when you attempt to enroll. This is a new account in your name and has nothing to do with him.
Chris says
We should watch ntflix sometimes.
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Congratulations, Chris. You have officially submitted the first “pick up” comment in the history of this website.
Jason says
I actually have a balance that’s like 2 years old that finally got sent to collections a few months back. Does that disqualify me?
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
We cannot speak authoritatively for any service providers, but based on our understanding of the regulations, yes, that would disqualify you. But you should definitely confirm that by speaking to the service provider’s customer service team.
Dirk Diggler says
The Comcast IE website says no outstanding debt to Comcast that is less than one year old, so you might be good.
Gayle Davis says
I want to cancel my comcast for 90 days and get on essentials .
I want to cancel my current Comcast for 90 days and hook up to exfinity essentials.
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Then that’s exactly why you should do.
In8sense says
I am in the Section 8 Housing Program and I was sent an email that this is available to me as well… perhaps you could upgrade your website to reflect this qualifying progrqam as well. I have a feeling that there might be other programs that are now included as qualifyers as well.
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
We’re run several articles about this program.
Maria says
Does the Internet Essentials include being able to watch tv? What kind of TV do you need to get it?
Kathy says
I just wrote a comment about not knowing about essentials, but its pretty sad that Comcast wont work with people especially their existing customers I have been with them for 6 years, but even with their promotions they don’t offer their existing customers anything near as good as the offers for new customers. I will be happy if they offer a computer for the price of $150.00 for the time being and then try to figure out way to get on essentials with out having to cancel for 90 Days!
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
We agree with you, Kathy. Seeems to us that anyone who qualifies for the low-income plan should be able to switch from the regular plan as soon as they qualify. Unfortunately, every low-income plan from every cable company has the same restrictions. Even if you disagree with the policy, you can understand it from the companies’ point of view: Just a couple months at $150 will be far more profitable than several years at $9.95 per month.
There are other plans available, though, and you should check them all out to see if you qualify and if they’re available in your area. In particular, pay attention to the plans from AT&T, PCs for People and 4GCommunity. Here’s a link that will tell you about all the low-income plans:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet
You should also know that you can get one of those $150 computers without subscribing to any of the plans. Here’s a link to the organization that offers them:
http://everyoneon.org
Kathy says
I just wanted to say Thank you so much for your help Cheap Internet.com Administrator ..I am 6 months later thanking you I actually still have Comcast / Xfinity I am now really focusing on finding a way to be able cancel for 3 months without a big penalty, your advice sounds good the 150.00 which has now gone up , but in the long term saving with essentials will be well worth it. If any new information is out I would greatly apprciate it. Does anyone know about the essential or something like it for discounted computers?
Kathy says
I just realized you left the information about the computers. Thank you
John says
I been trying to apply for the Internet Essentials but without success. The reason being that my address could not be verified each time I put it on the application. I have been living at this address for the past two years and I receive all my mails & other correspondences at this address. I still can not figure out why the address is rejected each time I put it in the application. Can you please verify what the problem is and let me know?
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
We can’t verify what the problem is because we’re not Internet Essentials, so we do not have access to your account, John. Only customer service at I.E. can answer your quesiton.
There are a couple alternate plans you should look at. We think you’re eligible for both of them, so the only question is whether they are available in your area. Look into PCs for People and 4GCommunity at this link:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet
Doug says
I currently have comcast internet service but the outstanding charges they have are unbelievable. As I TV, Internet, Phone and Home Security at a low price of $149.00 a month but after taxes, and other fees it was just a little over $200.00 per month. So I am letting TV Phone Home Security and Internet go. Will I still be able to get this low cost internet with Comcast or will I need to check out FreedomPop Internet Service HotSpot
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
You will not be able to get the Comcast low-income internet plan until 90 days after you terminate your full-priced plan. FreedomPop is one option, but you should also check out PCs for People. It’s a great plan IF you live in an area covered by Sprint’s national cell network. Check it out here:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet
jennine kepnes says
i live in boston,am 66y.o,disabled,with section 8 housing and hearing impaired.did d/c comcast service to get low cost internet from pcsrefurbished from st.paul minnesota which has been a good service (thanks to your info.where i learned about it since couldn’t go w/o internet for 90 days)but still have landline from comcast for 60.00.looking for cheaper phone service since no lifeline discount.any lower cost phone service or smartphones offered.have free cell thru virgin lifeline program to text and emergency when not home but audio poor since have hearing aids.any service for low income smartphone or better audio cellphones or landlines?
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
You can get all your questions answered by visiting our other website, FreeGovernmentCellPHones.net, Jeannine. We’ll point you to a couple articles that will help. First, here’s an article on hearing/vision/speech-impaired Lifeline service:
http://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/government-cell-phones-hearing-vision-speech-impaired
Next, here’s an article that tells you which Lifeline Assistance companies offer free government cell phones in your state:
http://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states
That should be enough to get you started, Jeannine.
Suzy says
Hello. Is there any help for a low income single adult for Internet essentials .(my son graduated last year) Wish I knew about the program then.
Lian Diciolla says
I am a senior, and I use my little laptop as much as I can. I NEED INTERNET, however, I cannot afford the high costs. Please help me. Thank you for your time.
naomi mick says
I am a senior and use my laptop to keep in touch with my family and monitor my banking. i am on a fixed income and can’t afford $60.00 a month for internet please help
Jennifer says
I asked about this program before i signed up with comcast they said it was slow and was liminted only to homework. Im very disappointed im on disappointed to be lied to again by comcast. Im on SSI and 105. 00 cable/internet is alot of my income which i told them yet i need my son to successed in school. Im very upset in people greed vs. Someone well being
Elizabeth Altomari says
Of course there is a hook. With 2 children in school, there is no way you can disconnect from the internet for 3 months (a requirement). All assignments and summer homework is done via internet. They want to make it impossible to qualify.
Cheryl Folston says
Maybe you can try another service for the 3 months and then go to Comcast Essentials?
Maricela Solis says
Comcast bever mentioned that they oarticipated in a reduce internet service, I am a student struggling just to stay above water!!