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Low-Income Internet Service Providers

Cheap broadband internet plans have been created by public-private partnerships, to bring high-speed, wireless internet access to those on government assistance or who are low-income.

There are several major, “competing” low-income internet service programs designed for financially-struggling Americans – Comcast’s Internet Essentials, CenturyLink’s Internet Basics, and Cox and Bright House Networks’ low income internet plans. In addition, Connect2Compete’s site may help in finding low-income internet service, although it is best suited for finding training.

If you qualify, these low-income internet service providers can help you get online, with broadband internet speeds for a very, very low monthly rate and no contract hassles.

“I was laid off a few months ago so money’s tight around our house,” said Larry J of Fort Pierce, Florida. “This low cost internet plan is going to make it easier for me to find another job.”
“My kids are falling behind in school because we can’t afford expensive internet access,” said Muriel S of Bend, Oregon. “Affordable broadband is going to be a lifesaver.”
“Affordable internet is the best idea since … well … it may be the best idea ever,” said Bruce C of Costa Mesa, California. “Why didn’t anyone think of this before?”

That’s where these programs come in. If you’re in financial distress, you’ll probably qualify for one of these low-income internet plans in your area.

The prices are the same for all these services, but there some differences in what each program offers consumers and in the eligibility requirements. Make sure you check to determine which programs are available where you live.

Major Programs

Access from AT&T

AT&T, America’s first communications conglomerate, is now offering high-speed Internet service to low-income Americans for just $5 per month. No, that’s not a typo. If you meet the eligibility standards and you live in an area served by AT&T, you can now get high-speed Internet service for a mere $5 per month.

The plan is called Access from AT&T. And it may be the best low-cost Internet plan available, and…. [click to continue]

Internet Essentials

Comcast, the cable TV giant, is the biggest player in the low-income internet assistance business with a program called Internet Essentials. This is very good news.

If you live in areas of the country served by Comcast and if you qualify, you can now get Internet Essentials for just $9.95 per month instead of the $40–60 the company charges for its lowest cost basic plan. Despite the low price, you’ll get blazing fast 5.0 Mbps download speed, the option to purchase a computer for $150, plus a series of extras such as… [click to continue]

Cox Low-Income Internet

Cox Communications is one of the nation’s largest cable companies, with millions of subscribers. While they don’t trumpet their program as loudly as Comcast does theirs, and their coverage across the country isn’t as extensive, their low-income program has much broader eligibility rules.

Cox’s low-income internet plan will give you unlimited cable internet at broadband speeds of 5 Mbps download, no contract or extra fees, and the option to purchase a computer for $150. It’s available to Americans who… [click to continue]

Spectrum Internet Assist: Low-Income Internet

Former rivals Charter Communications, Time-Warner Cable and Bright House Networks have joined forces. That’s great news for America’s neediest citizens because the new company, now renamed Spectrum, is introducing a brand new high-speed Internet plan for low-income Americans. If you qualify, the service will cost just $14.99 per month. Spectrum has promised that this great service will be available in 38 states — everywhere the three companies currently offer service — by mid-2017…[click to continue]

PCs for People — Unlimited and Nationwide

It’s fast. It’s cheap. And it’s available to a lot more low-income people than any other program. We think you’ll love it as much as we do. Instead of being severely geographically-limited like Internet Basics or Internet Essentials, PCs for People is available virtually nationwide (anywhere the Sprint network is available). Instead of being a program sponsored by huge corporations that really don’t want to devote significant resources to it, cheap Internet for low-income Americans is the raison d’être behind PCs for People… [click to continue]

Internet Basics

CenturyLink’s Internet Basics is exactly what so many families and individuals need to help them search for and apply for jobs, to follow up on job applications, to find medical care and communicate with their doctors, to help their kids with their homework, and to help them with so many other tasks that can only be done on the internet.

CenturyLink’s Internet Basics costs just $9.95 per month for qualifying low-income families. You’ll also be eligible to receive a personal computer for just $150 and… [click to continue]

Mediacom Low-Income Internet

In 23 states, Connect2Compete partner Mediacom offers high-speed internet service for just $9.95 to families who are struggling with low household income.

Their internet plan provides a 1.5 Mbps speed cable connection, and an option to be able to purchase a computer for as low as $162 and a tablet for as low as $142. Eligibility requires… [click to continue]

Bright House Networks Low-Income Internet

Bright House Networks is the sixth largest cable company, with about 2.5 million customers. Under the Connect2Compete banner, they offer internet service to people who could otherwise not afford it.

Bright House’s low-income internet plan provides unlimited cable internet at speeds of a minimum of 1 Mbps download. While that’s not exactly super fast, it’s certainly fast enough for $9.95. And there are no contracts or extra charges. Additionally, they offer an option to purchase a computer for $150. Availability is… [click to continue]

Suddenlink Economy Internet

Suddenlink, a company of Altice, offers unlimited high-speed internet to people with a child in the School Lunch program and to seniors on SSI. They serve in Arkansas, Arizona, California, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia. The program is… [click to continue]

Cablevision Economy Internet

Cablevision, now a company of Altice, offers unlimited high-speed internet to people with a child in the School Lunch program and to seniors on SSI. They serve the states of Connecticut, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. The program is… [click to continue]

Eagle Communications

Eagle Communications is a small media conglomerate (well, small when compared to cable giants like AT&T and Comcast Communications) that owns and operates 59 cable systems in Kansas, Nebraska and Colorado (plus 28 radio stations in the same states). It is now offering a $9.95 per month Internet plan for qualifying residents of those states … [click to continue]

Midco

Midco is the first company we have found that is advertising discounted Internet service as part of the new Lifeline Broadband program. The price? Just $9.95 per month for high-speed Internet. Available in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin… [click to continue]

Connect2Compete

Many of the nation’s largest internet service companies are working with Connect2Compete to bring low-cost, high-speed internet service to low-income Americans. The Connect2Compete organization hooks up Americans with various companies that will provide high-speed internet access for under $15 a month, usually under $10. In addition, they can help you find a low-cost computer and free computer and internet training… [click to continue]

The following programs are national, or have a big push behind them either by industry, government and non-profit, than do those smaller or regional programs in the next section.

Lifeline Broadband

Beginning on December 1, 2016, you’ll be able to get free-to-inexpensive Lifeline Broadband in two flavors: fixed broadband (cable or DSL) or mobile (on your phone or tablet). You’ll be able to choose which is more important to you: a fixed high-speed broadband connection in your home, or free smartphone service with unlimited minutes that comes with a modest amount of internet usage… [click to continue]

Senior Internet Service

Through no fault of their own, many seniors can’t afford even the most necessary of things, like a broadband internet connection. Yes, being connected to the internet is necessary in today’s world.

So many needy seniors have contacted us asking about asking why the government and various companies seemingly help everyone but them. Just where is cheap internet for seniors… [click to continue]

Other Programs

Here we list programs that are smaller than those national programs listed above.

School2Home

School2Home has set an ambitious goal: To give computers to more than 500 low-performing middle schools and 400,000 students across California. It’s a pilot program started in Southern California’s Los Angeles and Riverside county school districts and has now expanded to Northern California’s Oakland Unified School District. In the future… [click to continue]

Interconnection (WA only)

Interconnection now offers needy Washingtonians a variety of low-priced services: High speed mobile internet for just $8 per month or internet service only for $10 per month, plus a laptop computer for just $149… [click to continue]

Don’t Qualify?

If you don’t find that you are eligible for any of these low-income internet plans, either by income level or by participation in a government assistance program, take a look at the other affordable internet plans we have found.

 

Need help understanding what’s available for you? Read our help page.

 

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Comments

  1. I live in Oakhurst, Ca and have an annual income of under 13000 a year. My zip code is 93644
    My cable bill has gone up to 85.00 a month and I can no longer afford it. I just want Internet service so I can at least watch netflex or use Ruku. I am also over 65. Please give me a list of free or low cost service please.

    Reply

  3. I am disabled and live with a very fixed and only income SSI $940 monthly I live in a section 8 small studio with my service animal I explained this in detail the SPECTRUM costumer service agent over the phone the agreement was $14.99 internet and $39.99 for basic cable they also said no installation fee no monthly payment for rent of the 2’boxes (1 cable 1 internet) it was $55 plus tax monthly they technician came to install February 6 , 3 weeks later I get a bill from SPECTRUM of $207 for 1 MONTH SERVICE OF LOW INCOME INTERNET $14.99 AND CABLE $39.99 to they charged me with all kinds of things like $40 technician fee, $10 WiFi, $15monthly rent for the boxes they said no fee for boxes, free installation but $40 for the technician etc I CANT PAY $207 AT ONE TIME FOR 1 MONTH SERVICE I CALLLED MANY TIMRS EXPLAINED ABPUT THE OVER YHE PHONE VERBAL AGREEMENT ETC they shut off cable and internet today March 25 can you help me or recommend cable and internet low income and disabled thank you

    Reply

    • That’s outrageous, Ingrid. Call the customer service team immediately and ask to speak to a supervisor.

      Reply

    • Good luck, Evelyn. Rural areas like Show Low have very little coverage. Check out all the providers on this page. Maybe you’ll get lucky and one or more will offer service in your area.

      Reply

  5. Low income internet services. At 3000 *********, Houston,Texas 77025,Please let me know of internet services for home residence,Thank you.

    Reply

    • That’s not quite how it works, Teressa. You need to check out all the plans discussed on this page to determine which ones you may be eligible for.

      Reply

    • Unless you live in an incredibly rural area, that’s almost impossible to believe, Sara.

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        • You offer snark, Sara, we reply in snark. We don’t need your address nor do we want your address. We offered an honest opinion and you didn’t like it. So maybe you can get help from some other website.

          Reply

    • It’s not “our” service, Vickie. This is an independent informational website. You need to check out all the plans described on this page to figure out which one fits your needs best. Then enroll with that plan.

      Reply

    • AT&T is the only service provider that offers $5 per month internet access, Emilio. However, there are a number of other low-income plans that are nearly as cheap. Check them all out right here on this page.

      Reply

  10. i’m matthew and i live in southwestern indiana. I’m also an adult learner who attends WGU university as an online student. University of evansville, University of southern indiana and Ivy Tech are the 3 biggest colleges /universities in indiana’s 3rd largest city. Spectrum and wow are the only 2 cable/broadband providers and dish network & directv are the two satellite providers. None of them offer any discounts to students even though most do not live on campus. spectrum offers internet assist but to qualify you must be on the national school lunch program, the community eligibility provision of the national school lunch program, or supplemental security income to receive 30 mbps service @ 14.99 a month. Internet service is a must have for adult learners like me who are trying to lift themselves and/or their families up from low incomes. The decision to earn a degree is a very important decision to make because of the effects financially and socially could help or hurt families for generations.

    Reply

    • We hear you, Matthew. We wish the low-income internet programs were more widely available to even more people, but it is what it is. Have you checked out PCs for People? It’s a great program that’s available in all 50 states, so maybe it will be available where you need it. You can find out more about the program at this link:

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

      Reply

  11. Hi, I am permanently disabled and I live in a rural mountain town. And the only. Cell service available of here is AT&T and there is no I Internet service that I’m aware of that’s inexpensive. My, address is Nederland, Co. 80466. My annual income is below 10k. I qualify….but can’t find provider in my area. My current inet service is “line of sight” through Rise Broadband for $61.00/mon & At&t is only cell service option, I use go phone $40/ mon. Sat net service is available but same price. Can you help me? My ph is 303 642-****. I am 52, been disabled sine 2004.
    Income is $568.00 ssdi + $300.00 month alimony.

    Reply

    • You express a commmon complaint we hear from residents of rural areas across the country, Karen. Those areas just don’t have much in the way of any internet, and very few options for cheap internet. Have you asked AT&T if its low-income plan called Access is available in your area? If not, ask them. It may be your only option.

      Reply

  12. I am on the Board of Directors of the Long Beach chapter of NAMI, National Alliance on Mental Illness. We are a non profit organization that provides support and education for families and those affected by mental illness. We recently acquired a small office space in Lakewood, California and need internet and phone service to our small, 25 x 25 office. Can you tell me if we would qualify?

    Reply

    • Organizations do not qualify, Michael, but it would probably be possible if someone within your organization qualifies for a free government and allows the organization to use that phone for business. We’re assume you would be turned down if you admitted what the phone was to be used for.

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    • Sounds like you may qualify for several of the low-income plans discussed in the article on this page, Phillip. Check out the eligibility requirements for each of them and apply with one of the ones you qualify for.

      Reply

        • We provide contact info for each of the companies and plans listed on this page. Just click on each of the companies to find the plan that works best for you, then call that company’s customer service team using the contact info on that page.

          Reply

  14. I’m 70, low income, 764 a month. I’m paYing 29.99 to spectrum a month for a service of 3.9 gvites..Spectrum won’t help me by lowering the fee nor by adding speed to my service. I’m upset and frustrated. I live in low income housing and can only have service,so I’m told, thru spectrum or at&t. Can someone help me? Cleveland, OH

    Reply

    • Sounds like you qualify for several of the low-income internet plans, Abby, but we have to say that $29.99/month is a pretty damn good price compared to some of the prices we’ve heard about. Nevertheless, you can check out all the available low-income internet plans right here on this page. Just click on any of the names to get more info. We’re pretty sure you’ll be able to find an alternate plan.

      Reply

  15. Is there any help for me to get internet and computer in Ragland Alabama. I am dissabled on a low fixed income.

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    • We list geographic availablilty on each provider’s page, Estrella. Just click on any of the company names in the article above and scroll down to the part of the article that lists that info.

      Reply

    • Check out PCs for People to see if they offer the service in your area. We know they now have customers in all fifty states, but Alaska is so rural that it always presents problems.

      Reply

    • We provide contact info for each of the service providers. Just click on any name in the article above.

      Reply