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It’s about time: Comcast develops pilot program to bring high-speed internet to low-income seniors

You can count CheapInternet.com among the biggest boosters of Comcast’s Internet Essentials program. Now the company is addressing one of the program’s biggest shortcomings by conducting a pilot program designed to bring Internet Essentials to low-income senior citizens.


Comcast also announced that it is doubling the speed of Internet Essentials and now offering free wireless modems to all new and existing customers. You can read more about that development if you Click Here.


The pilot program will be conducted in West Palm Beach, Florida where CBS12 television reports that, “For $9.95 a month the Internet Essentials Program not only extends to qualified low income senior citizens…” but that “… the first 100 seniors in the Boynton Beach area who sign up for the Internet Essential Program will receive free internet for the next 6 months.”


philly.com reports that “Comcast will begin the project for senior citizens in Palm Beach County, Fla., and expand it to other markets throughout the United States through the fall” and that although specifics are yet to be determined, it is expected that “Senior citizens who earn $35,000 a year or less are likely to qualify for the program.”

Surveys show that seniors use the internet far less than other demographic groups. According to a recent study by the Pew Research Center, just 47% of those age 65 and over (47%) have broadband at home. The Digital Divide is even more dramatic among low-income seniors.

We certainly urge Comcast to conduct and analyze the pilot program and develop a nationwide senior citizen internet program as quickly as possible, because this would address one of the major criticisms aimed at Internet Essentials.

As consumerist.com said, “The program currently limits eligibility to households with at least one child who can participate in the national school lunch program. Thus, households with pre-school age children, grown children, or no children at all have been omitted. This includes the elderly, many of whom — especially in urban areas — live at or near the poverty line and often have little to no Internet access.”

We doubt that anyone understands the plight of senior citizens better than those of us here at CheapInternet.com, because we received hundreds — maybe thousands — of heartbreaking emails from senior citizens and families of senior citizens on limited incomes who simply cannot afford typical budget-busting monthly internet bills of $60, $70 or more.

So once again, we tip our caps to Comcast and congratulate them for this effort to bring the Internet Essentials program to an expanded audience.

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Comments

  1. What is available for People with Disabilities? I see plans now for Seniors for low cost internet; but, no wording to include those that have Disabilities?

    What about children who are eligible and go out of State to visit family for several mos of the years; how can they participate in both states?

    Reply

    • We are unaware of any low-income plans that are disability-based, Gail. But please check out all the plans available to find out if you qualify for other reasons. Each program has slightly different eligibility rules and you may just find one you qualify for. Here’s where you can find them all:

      https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet

      Reply

  3. I am greatly interested in a lowcost internet service. I am on a fixed low income and I do not need or want TV service or to bundle in my cell phone. I do, however. need a low-cost internet service. My income bracket is just over being eligible for the $10 internet service. Right now, I am sharing the internet service with my nephew who does qualify for the $10 a month internet, but it will not be available to me in a few days. It will be necessary for me to seek another internet service then. By the way, I am 81 years old.

    Reply

    • You must be 62 or older. However, keep in mind that this Senior pilot is being offered ONLY on a trial basis in Atlanta, Georgia; Boston, Massachusetts; Detroit, Michigan; Fresno County, California; Hartford, Connecticut; Houston, Texas; Miami-Dade County, Florida; Palm Beach County, Florida; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; San Francisco, California; Santa Clara County, California; and Seattle, Washington.

      Reply

  5. I have Comcast at the moment, but am looking for a cheaper plan. I have had billing g problems 3 times in 3 months! Their error, but they want to chg me.

    Reply

    • Comcast offers low-income internet service in Albuquerque, Evelyn, but we do not know if the senior pilot program has been extended to your city.

      Reply

  7. I had to leave Comcast, some months ago, the bill had got too high, I live alone, disabled, and also a senior, and pay all bills alone, at times I really need to buy food, so I had to walk away from Comcast. I really tried to stick with it. I’m just hearing about the pilot program. I pray I’m eligible for your program. thank you.

    Reply

  8. There are only 2 Internet/TV providers that I see that really does care about ALL low income people. Not just kids going to school, as most providers require to sign up. AT&T & Cox I throw my hat off to. The rest can jump off a cliff, for they don’t want the business of us, DISABLED, ELDERLY, & people who are just plain low income. Those providers must be a part of the NEW WORLD ORDER. Comcast,Suddenlink.
    AT&T & COX,Qualifications are the BEST, SMARTEST, & MOST CARING. Not to mention professionally set up.
    The requirement the rest of these providers on this list must be on SSI, & 65 yrs old. You are considered a senior when you are 55 yrs old, You can retire at 62 yrs. old & be on Social Security & SSI at the same time. But that is if your SS is below the amount of your SSI. Ex; Your SSI check is 743.00, which is the amount EVERYONE gets, (Federal pays out the same amount to all), & your SS check is only 650.00, the difference would be the amount.,93.00. Unless your state adds to that amount , some do & each state amount is different. I am on SSDI, Social Security Disability I am 60 & receive 800.00 a month & 60.00 food stamps. But not eligible for any help for AT&T does not cover my state. To these other uncaring providers I am not low income & deserving of their services, DISCRIMINATION in my book, I may as well be Black, right? Now how confusing is all this. AT&T for example is simple. Be a client of SNAP/Food stamps. The state did all the work singling out the low income for them, plus it’s based on the 135-150 % of poverty level. Now why aren’t these other providers set up simple like AT&T & COX, & cover all the low income sufferers, Why because they don’t care & just want more money in their bank account. These providers need governed & reported to the FCC. If not that, I am sure AT&T & Cox with someday take care of all the states & then AT&T & Cox along with, us undesirables can kick them to the curb, as they have us. JUST RELEASED FROM SOCIAL SECURITY:

    -38 percent of all American workers made less than $20,000 last year.
    -51 percent of all American workers made less than $30,000 last year.
    -62 percent of all American workers made less than $40,000 last year.
    -71 percent of all American workers made less than $50,000 last year
    Looks like AT&T & Cox are really make the money. Hope they cover ID< WA< MONT< & others soon. I will go without internet before signing up with the others!

    Reply

  9. I am a low income senior citizen receiving government assistance. And would love to have this internet service.

    Reply

  10. How long will this policy last? It’s been active for over a year, it seems. This could really be helpful to us on a fixed income with rents skyrocketing.

    Reply

  11. FANTASTIC—GREAT—ABOUT TIME—MY HOME HEALTH CARE AID JUST GOT THE O.K. FOR MORE TIME SO ITS MORE EXSPENCE FOR ME —-ALONG WITH AN INCREASE IN MY INSURANCE —I KEEP IN TOUCH WITH MY DOCTORS AND ORDER MY GROCERIES FROM PEA POD—-THIS SERVICE WOULD BE GREAT–ED A

    Reply

  13. Sadly, I have checked every single one that you have listed on your site (cheapinternet.com) & what ‘sux’ is that the ones that do service my area (NW Indiana) are mostly geared towards low-income families w/school aged kids or are all about kids on school lunch programs.

    My roommate is a Marine/Vietnam vet on SSI, Medicaid & SNAP – I’m a ‘state-disabled’, SNAP & Medicaid recipient, (we live off of his monthly ck, as I have been ‘fighting’ for over 4-1/2 yrs w/SSA, to get my disability for my worsing MS), who are forced to pay over $100./mon, just to have cell/WiFi ‘hotspot’ service, for our communication needs. What’s worse is that our area reception is almost non-existence (no matter where we place our ‘hotspot’ @ in the house….) & ALL the major carriers around us want to charge us double, or even triple, the amount/cost, for home Internet along w/all the equipment charges piled on top of it…..

    I feel as if these so-called Internet service providers could really careless if the disabled/Seniors/military vets have any means to communicate w/those that we really need to (ie: family, doctors, etc….) but, are willing to ‘rape’ our low-income demographic group (they think we have money – haha, really NOT funny Comcast, AT&T, Frontier, etc…)

    Where is our ‘voice’ & who is fighting for our demographic group/groups???

    Reply

    • Excellent questions, Kat. We agree with you and have often editorialized about it. That being said, have you checked out PCs for People? They are more widely available than the other plans and we list only the states in Sprint’s national network, the organization says it now has customers in all fifty states. Check them out.

      Reply

  14. I can’t believe that there is not a program for people who are on disability and can’t afford internet service I have spent the day searching for low income internet service and I cannot seem to find one can you please help I live on $800 a month and I can’t afford these ridiculous prices that these internet people are asking thank you

    Reply

  15. Siy una abuela que cuida a su nieta que esta en kinder garden y esta en la escuelita. Necesito poner internet no solo para ella y para mi y mi esposo. Tengo computadora.

    Reply

  16. I am a 71 yr old veteran with 65 yr old disabled wife. We have worked, raised and educated children, served our great country with lifelong contributions. It is heartbreaking that new Generations of the largest, richest US companies greedily resort to deceitful, abusive tactics to generate profits.
    It is definitely time for a company with Honor and Integrity to lead the way for American billion-dollar giants to become conscious of human obligations to the less fortunate, and “give something back”. Elderly can’t earn as we once did. Thank You, Comcast, on behalf of every Senior able to participate in your great program.

    Reply