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Internet Basics: A slightly different inexpensive internet plan for low-income Americans

IMPORTANT: The CenturyLink Internet Basics program is now only available to residents in the states of Oregon, Tennessee and Washington.

In these difficult economic times with so many people unemployed or employed only part time when they need fulltime jobs, CenturyLink 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.

If CenturyLink offers high-speed DSL internet service in your area, their Internet Basics 1.5 Mbps program for low income Americans is an excellent option for cheap broadband service.

First of all, let’s be clear that there are a few differences between the Internet Basics program and the program offered by the companies participating in the nationwide Connect to Compete program.

First, let’s cover the similarities:

Both programs offer high-speed Internet for just $9.95 a month for the first year ($14.95/month afterwards). Both programs offer a personal computer for just $150. But, Internet Basics offers free introductory computer education classes while Connect to Compete customers pay a small $1 fee per class.

The Internet Basics computer also comes with a 30-day money-back satisfaction guarantee, 24/7 technical support, plus parental controls. You’ll even get your own customizable CenturyLink home page. So far, there’s no word on whether the Connect the Compete program offers these extras.

How to Qualify for Internet Basics

Now let’s get to the primary difference between the two programs: How to qualify.

First of all, it’s important to understand that the members of the Connect to Compete alliance are all cable television companies, but CenturyLink is primarily a telephone company that also offers television through DirecTV, a separate company.

CenturyLink agreed to offer the Internet Basics plan so that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) would approve its 2011 purchase of Qwest Communications, another telephone company.

As a result of being a telephone company, CenturyLink’s Internet Basics program follows rules set up for another quasi-governmental program called Lifeline Assistance which offers discounted landline phone service and free government cell phones (link it) to the financially disadvantaged. The qualification guidelines for the two programs are identical.

In short, you probably qualify for the Internet Basics program if:

    (1) You also participate in other governmental assistance programs such as food stamps (SNAP), public housing assistance, Medicaid, Section 8 housing, Supplemental Security Income, various Home Energy Assistance Programs, National School Lunch and other programs. (Each state has it’s own programs list.)

Or…

    (2) Your household income is at or below 135% to 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. (Note: It’s 135% in all states except Arizona, Florida, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, Ohio, Rhode Island and Texas, where it’s 150%.)
People in HouseholdAll states except:
AZ, CA, KS, MI, NM, NV, OH, TX, VT		AZ, KS, MI, NM, OH, TXCANVVT
1$15,755$17,505$25,500$20,423For any size household:

Residents under 65 $23,265.00

Residents over 65 $27,142.50

2$21,236$23,595$25,500$27,528
3$26,717$29,685$29,700$34,633
4$32,198$35,775$35,900$41,738
5$37,679$41,865$42,100$48,843
6$43,160$47,955$48,300$55,948
7$48,641$54,045$54,500$55,948
8$54,122$60,135$60,700$63,053
For each additional person, add$5,481$6,090$6,200$7,105

CenturyLink has agreed to offer the program for at least five years. There’s no guarantee that the program will continue beyond that timeframe, so we recommend that you apply as soon as possible to take advantage of this offer for as long as you possibly can.

Contact Information

CenturyLink:
www.centurylink.com:
866-642-0444

Internet Basics Program:
www.centurylink.com/home/internetbasics/
866-642-0444

CenturyLink profile:
Profile page: CenturyLink internet

Important note: you cannot have been a CenturyLink internet subscriber in the past and you cannot have any overdue CenturyLink bills or unreturned equipment. This is important to consider, because many Americans find themselves in the situation of already having more expensive, regularly-priced CenturyLink service and not being able to sign up for their Internet Basics program.

If you don’t qualify for Internet Basics or it’s not available in your area, head over to our Low Income Internet Services page to see other providers you can check out. And if you find you just don’t qualify for any of these low-income programs, take a look at our Other Affordable Internet Plans page. And, as always, keep up with the latest on our Cheap Internet News page.

Where is Internet Basics Available?

Internet Basics is available in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

Internet Basic is available in the following cities and towns:

(Note, if you see your state but not your city or town, you should still call in case CenturyLink added service to your town after our list was created.)

Oregon: Albany, Beaverton, Bend, Corvallis, Eugene, Grants Pass, Gresham, Hillsboro, Klamath Falls, Lake Oswego, Mcminnville, Medford, Oregon City, Portland, Redmond, Roseburg, Salem, Springfield

Tennessee: Bristol, Chattanooga, Cleveland, Elizabethton, Greeneville, Johnson City, Kingsport, Ooltewah

Washington: Auburn, Battle Ground, Bellevue, Bellingham, Bonney Lake, Bothell, Bremerton, Edmonds, Federal Way, Gig Harbor, Issaquah, Kent, Kirkland, Lacey, Lakewood, Longview, Lynnwood, Maple Valley, Moses Lake, Olympia, Pasco, Port Angeles, Port Orchard, Pullman, Puyallup, Redmond, Renton, Sammamish, Seattle, Shelton, Spanaway, Spokane, Tacoma, Vancouver, Walla Walla, Yakima

Recent Articles we’ve published on Internet Basics

As predicted: CenturyLink screws poor Americans, ends Internet Basics program - As we have long expected, CenturyLink has screwed low-income Americans and put a bullet through the head of its Internet Basics program.
centurylink logo CenturyLink’s Internet Basics: Not Living Up to Its Potential - CenturyLink made a lot of noise when it introduced Internet Basics -- a program supposedly designed to bring high-speed internet service to America's neediest families for under $10 per month. That was then, this is now.
netbook low income How you can get a PC (and a lot more) for just $149 if you are low-income - If you’re a low-income American, you can now get a PC that’s completely loaded with all the top software plus computer training for just $149.
FCC kills Lifeline Broadband Debate heats up: Are Internet Essentials and Internet Basics really just government programs? - There’s no doubt that both sides of the “Are Internet Essentials and Internet Basics government programs” question are firmly entrenched and unwilling to give an inch.
internet essentials vs internet basics Internet Basics vs Internet Essentials – what’s the difference? - Many readers ask us what the difference is between the two primary low-income cheap internet programs, Internet Basics and Internet Essentials. Here's all the details.
How to get cheap internet even if you don’t qualify for Connect2Compete - Connect2Compete has worked out a deal with a company called Freedom Pop to offer a internet access to those people who can’t find affordable internet access anywhere else.

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Comments

  1. I recently moved from Erwin Tennessee to Johnson City Tennessee. And I was receiving the low income Wi-Fi and would like to know how to get started in this area- Johnson City Tennessee. Thanks

    Reply

  2. I talked with a Centurylink Internet Basics representative today and she said the program is no longer open to new applications. Customers already on the plan can be on it for up to 5 years, but the program has been phased out. If you want to double check this information their Internet Basics customer service number is (800) 257-3212.

    Reply

      • CenturyLink no longer offers this program to customers in any states. The program has been retired and this article should be removed to keep from misleading customers. Thanks!

        Reply

        • We’ve placed a large, bold-faced notice about Internet Basics at the top of this article, Justin. We think that will suffice.

          Reply

  3. Besides century Link are there anyone else that provides low income internet without a home phone in rural Caryville FL?

    Reply

  4. How do I get low cost internet I have very low income it’s only me in the house with medical equipment that relies on the internet. Here in Albuquerque NM ?

    Reply

    • To quote CenturyLink, “The CenturyLink Internet Basics program is only available to residents in the states of Oregon, Tennessee and Washington.”

      Reply

  8. I am im sioux falls south dakota–i am a century link subscriber but due to financial difficulties can no longer afford it–why am i not elgible for the low income program??

    Reply

  10. Tony came to my house and I told him I had Century Link for Internet and phone only,he ask how much I pay a month I told him $108.93,he said oh me you pay way to much,I can save you lots of money,he was connected with your company Century Link,so I decided to check it out,seems like I do pay to much for just Phone and Internet CRT

    Reply

    • Here’s a website that will tell you exactly what services are available in your general area:
      EveryoneOn.org

      Reply

  13. QUESTION: IS CENTURY LINK REQUIRED TO OFFER INTERNET BASICS IN UTAH, ADVERTISE THE SERVICE, ACCEPT THE APPLICATION, THEN NOT OFFER THE SERVICE AND “STEER” CUSTOMER TO ANOTHER, HIGHER PRICED SERVICE?

    ALSO, Century Link lowered my credit score when I applied for Internet Basics in April 2018 by doing a Hard Credit Inquiry on me when I applied. In addition Century Link TOLD ME THEY NO LONGER OFFERS INTERNET BASICS IN UTAH AND SCREENED AND APPROVED ME FOR REGULAR SERVICE INSTEAD. END RESULT IS A LOWER CREDIT SCORE FOR A SERVICE I DIDNT WANT FULL PRICE.

    Reply

    • CenturyLink has always been our least favorite low-income service provider, Kathy. What you describe certainly sounds unethical. If we were you, we’d write a letter to the company’s director of consumer affairs and ask to have the credit ding reversed.

      Reply

  14. As of May 2018, the CenturyLink Internet Basics program is only available to residents in the states of Oregon, Tennessee and Washington.

    I’m in Colorado so no luck. $45/mo is best we get and no phone included. I could get VOIP maybe…

    Reply

  15. Centurylink has SEVERELY restricted this low cost service. See: https://www.centurylink.com/home/internetbasics/?rid=internetbasics

    “The CenturyLink Internet Basics program is only available to residents in the states of Oregon, Tennessee and Washington.”

    I’m in Colorado so this isn’t available. My cheapest option is $45/month internet ONLY… no phone. (But I have found a VOIP service might link me in.) For now we need to talk to our state legislators to set laws for low income access.

    Reply

  16. It would be nice if their sales people offered this to new subscribers when they call and say they are low income.

    Reply

  17. Is the low-income program available in Lee, Des Moines, Henry and Louisa Counties in Iowa? This includes the towns of Burlington, Ft Madison, Keokuk, Columbus Junction, Wapello, Mt Pleasant, etc.

    Thank you.

    Do you have a flyer I could give to the low income families I serve?

    Reply