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

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 last 90 days 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.)

Alabama: Anniston, Auburn, Birmingham, Cullman, Dothan, Enterprise, Jasper, Mobile, Opelika

Arkansas: Bentonville, Cabot, AR, Conway, El Dorado, Fayetteville, Fort Smith, Jacksonville, Jonesboro, Little Rock, North Little Rock, Paragould, Pine Bluff, Rogers, Russellville, Searcy, Sherwood, Springdale, Van Buren

Arizona: Apache Junction, Avondale, Buckeye, Casa Grande, Chandler, El Mirage, Flagstaff, Florence, Gilbert, Glendale, Goodyear, Laveen, Maricopa, Mesa, Peoria, Phoenix, Prescott, Prescott Valley, Queen Creek, San Tan Valley, Scottsdale, Sierra Vista, Sun City, Surprise, Tempe, Tucson, Yuma

Colorado: Arvada, Aurora, Boulder, Brighton, Broomfield, Castle Rock, Colorado Springs, Commerce City, Denver, Durango, Englewood, Fort Collins, Golden, Grand Junction, Greeley, Littleton, Longmont, Loveland, Montrose, Parker, Pueblo, Thornton, Westminster

Florida: Altamonte Springs, Apopka, Arcadia, Bonita Springs, Brooksville, Cape Coral, Casselberry, Clermont, Crestview, Dade City, Davenport, Deland, Deltona, Dunnellon, Englewood, Fort Myers, Fort Pierce, Fort Walton Beach, Haines City, Homestead, Inverness, Jacksonville, Kissimmee, Lake Mary, Lake Wales, Lakeland, Land O Lakes, Leesburg, Lehigh Acres, Longwood, Middleburg, Milton, Naples, New Smyrna Beach, North Fort Myers, North Port, Ocala, Ocoee, Okeechobee, Orlando, Oviedo, Panama City, Port Charlotte, Port Saint Lucie, Punta Gorda, Saint Cloud, Sanford, Sebring, Spring Hill, Tallahassee, The Villages, Wesley Chapel, Winter Garden, Winter Park, Winter Springs, Zephyrhills

Georgia: Hinesville, GA

Iowa: Ames, Ankeny, Bettendorf, Cedar Falls, Cedar Rapids, Council Bluffs, Davenport, Des Moines, Dubuque, Iowa City, Marion, Marshalltown, Sioux City, Urbandale, Waterloo, West Des Moines

Idaho: Boise, Caldwell, Idaho Falls, Lewiston, Meridian, Nampa, Pocatello, Rexburg, Twin Falls

Florida: Galesburg, IL, Pekin, IL, Rockford, IL, Anderson, Brownsburg, Columbus, Fishers, Fort Wayne, Franklin, Goshen, Greenfield, Greenwood, Indianapolis, Kokomo, La Porte, Lafayette, Marion, Mishawaka, Noblesville, South Bend, Warsaw, West Lafayette

Kansas: Hutchinson, Lawrence, Leavenworth, Manhattan, Olathe, Topeka

Louisiana: Alexandria, Denham Springs, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Opelousas, Ruston, Shreveport, Sulphur, West Monroe

Michigan: Davison, Grand Blanc, Holland, Hudsonville, Jackson, Midland, Monroe, Saginaw, Traverse City, Andover

Minnesota: MN, Anoka, Bemidji, Burnsville, Cottage Grove, Duluth, Eden Prairie, Elk River, Farmington, Hopkins, Inver Grove Heights, Lakeville, Mankato, Minneapolis, Moorhead, Osseo, Rochester, Saint Cloud, Saint Paul, Shakopee, Stillwater, Winona

Missouri: Blue Springs, Columbia, Independence, Jefferson City, Joplin, Kansas City, Lees Summit, Liberty, O Fallon, Rolla, Saint Charles, Saint Joseph, Saint Peters, Sedalia, Wentzville

Mississippi: Olive Branch, Southaven

Montana: Billings, Bozeman, Butte, Great Falls, Helena, Kalispell, Missoula

North Carolina: Apex, Asheboro, Burlington, Chapel Hill, Clayton, Durham, Elizabeth City, Fayetteville, Fuquay Varina, Garner, Goldsboro, Greensboro, Greenville, Henderson, Hickory, High Point, Hope Mills, Jacksonville, Kernersville, Kinston, Lenoir, Lexington, Lumberton, Morganton, Mount Airy, New Bern, Raeford, Raleigh, Reidsville, Rocky Mount, Sanford, Thomasville, Wake Forest, Wilson, Winston Salem

North Dakota: Bismarck, Fargo, Grand Forks

Nebraska: Bellevue, Grand Island, Kearney, Omaha, Papillion

New Jersey: Hillsborough, Morristown, Princeton, Somerset

New Mexico: Alamogordo, Albuquerque, Carlsbad, Clovis, Farmington, Las Cruces, Los Lunas, Rio Rancho, Roswell, Santa Fe

Nevada: Henderson, Las Vegas, North Las Vegas

Ohio: Alliance, Ashland, Ashtabula, Athens, Barberton, Bowling Green, Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton, Delaware, Elyria, Findlay, Lebanon, Lima, Lorain, Loveland, Mansfield, Marion, Marysville, Mason, Medina, Middletown, Newark, Perrysburg, Pickerington, Ravenna, Reynoldsburg, Sylvania, Toledo, Troy, Warren, West Chester, Westerville, Westlake, Wooster, Xenia, Zanesville

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

Pennsylvania: Butler, Carlisle, Chambersburg, Hanover, Harrisburg, Lancaster, Lebanon, Mechanicsburg, New Castle

South Carolina: Beaufort, Greenwood, Orangeburg

South Dakota: Rapid City, Sioux Falls

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

Texas: Belton, College Station, Conroe, Copperas Cove, Corpus Christi, Corsicana, Denton, Fort Worth, Georgetown, Greenville, Houston, Humble, Huntsville, Killeen, Kingwood, Kyle, Longview, Magnolia, Montgomery, New Braunfels, Palestine, Round Rock, San Marcos, Seguin, Temple, Tyler, Waco, Weatherford

Utah: American Fork, Bountiful, Cedar City, Clearfield, Draper, Herriman, Kaysville, Layton, Lehi, Logan, Ogden, Orem, Pleasant Grove, Provo, Riverton, Roy, Saint George, Salt Lake City, Sandy, South Jordan, Spanish Fork, Tooele, West Jordan

Virginia: Charlottesville, Danville, Glen Allen, Lynchburg, Martinsville

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

Wisconsin: Appleton, Chippewa Falls, De Pere, Eau Claire, Fond Du Lac, Green Bay, Janesville, La Crosse, Madison, Manitowoc, Neenah, Oconomowoc, Oshkosh, Sun Prairie, Watertown, Waukesha

Wyoming: Casper, Cheyenne, Gillette, Laramie

Recent Articles we’ve published on Internet Basics

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. CenturyLink has talked me out of receiving any of this help which I have been qualified for, they liked about the availability process, so for the past 4 yes I have overpaid, they refuse to resolve any of my issues, I have tried everything possible, and they won’t give me my money back or offer me these deals, I am now going to file a small claims court they are not acting in good faith, ever,!!! And I really need the discounts

    Reply

  2. hello <, my name is Rimma we are looking for low prices for internet for our parents with low income both have only ISS could you pleas help us with more information . thank you

    Reply

  3. I need internet to accommodate my day to
    living . Everything is based on having internet. Drs, utilities, gov assistance, etc. I live in a Garland, a Tx 75044. On
    SSI, I’ve lost my benefits for utilities
    N snap. Need to get back the benefits. Please
    Help!

    Reply

  4. I had been a century link customer for the last 2 years until a month ago. In April of this year I was terminated from my job where i had been employed for 4 years. I had just moved and was stil paying off my deposit in addition ro paying an extra $200 per month in rent and water,s sewer, garbage and gas. I am locked into a one year lease until April 2018. I began receiving Unemployment and food stamps in May snd advised century link of my circumstance. I asked about possible low income programs they may offer. Instead of assisting me they began charging late fees and reconnect fees until i could not maintain it and lost my service the end of July. With the cost of school beginning for my 11 year old son i have not been able to come up with thw $170 they want to reinstate my setvice. I am a single parent and am truly struggling financily. I had applied for several on line work from home jobs and had completed the screening process with 2 different promising companies when i lost my internet. Both positions require high speed interner. Do i have any recourse? I live in Ontario Oregon and century link has a monopoly here. I need unlimited connection with no cap on my gigs. My only other choice is Cable One..i owe them a past due cable bill of $50…but they want an additional deposit and first month…it will cost mw about $160 to start with them.Do you have any suggestions? I have been researching ISPs and am at a dead end… Any advice you can offer would be greatly appreciated. Thankyou in advancw for your courtesies.

    Reply

  5. I am in DESPERATE need of this service, and would/do qualify since I do get SNAP and MEDICAID, but unfortunately, your service area in PA only includes a few areas that would best be classified/called as “being out in the ‘sticks'”! I live in the suburban area of Philadelphia and int APPEARS that this is where I “fall off the(eligibility) charts” of being able to receive your service. I DID read above that even if you do NOT see your town in the state’s list of servicing–towns-within-the-state, you should STILL attempt to apply anyway as its possible that your area, (or more immediate surrounding area!), could have been added making you eligible to receive services after all. Of course, I paraphrased, but I DO believe that you’ll agree that i DO have the gist of what you wrote to be “on target”. PLEASE tell me if I am incorrect in believing so!Thus, I will do as you suggested & still apply, but after seeing just HOW LIMITING/RESTRICTIVE the LISTING of viable servicing areas for PA, I am not too optimistic. Consequently & VERY/EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTINGLY, I turn to you literally BEGGING for direction so that i may yet/still receive this DESPERATELY NEEDED service. Like I said, I already receive SNAP & MEDICAID benefits for being disabled, so I await your response to me, LITERALLY PRAYING for a favorable reply/response with DIRECTION leading me to BEING ABLE TO RECEIVE THIS SERVICE!

    Reply

    • You’re slightly off on what we wrote, Daniel, but close enough. What we actually meant is that readers shouldn’t assume that the list of towns and cities is always 100% correct because cable service areas change frequently. In other words, contact the cable company to see if your area is currently served by the company. It might take a phone call or you may be able to plug your address or zip code into the company’s website to find out if it covers your area.

      But there’s no need to nitpick by either of us because you may have other options. Check out all the low-income plans — including Internet Basics — at the following link:

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

      Check them all out because not all of them will be available in your area, and you won’t be eligible for others, but we’re confident that at least one plan will be the answer to your problem.

      Reply

    • There are a number of different low-income plans available, Catherine, and they each have slightly different ways to qualify. Here’s where you can find a complete list of those plans so you can figure out which ones you qualify for and which ones are available where you live. We also provide contact info so you can contact the plan that works best for you:

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

      Reply

  8. My only income is $739 a month from Social Security Disability. I receive Medicare and Medicaid, as well as housing assistance through HUD. I recently applied and was approved for a community energy assistance program to help pay my electric bill. I recall being enrolled in something called Lifeline or Lifelink (unsure of the name) a few years ago that helped me to afford a home phone. I currently live in West Lafayette, IN. Suggestions?? Thank you!

    Reply

    • We’re not sure what you’re looking for, Meghann. Are you looking for low-income internet service or Lifeline telephone service?

      Reply

  10. I have called all the low income services provided online and no one services my area. My children are starting back up school and last year they struggled because all assignments were done on iPads and we could not afford internet. I am currently unemployed do do being laid off my job and it’s very hard to submit applications because most jobs want online applications. I also enrolled in college and am getting behind due to not having internet access at home. Can you please tell me if there is anyone that provides services for low income families in zip code 77480?

    Reply

  11. I am 57 years old, unemployed woman with no income the past 4 years while winding thru the lengthy process of social security disability. I had been employed continually for 44+ years and enjoyed a fascinating career before disability struck. The State of AZ declared me seriously mentally ill (PTSD& depressive disorder) with physically disabilities.I WILL BE A STUDENT at Pima County Community College this fall via their Online Classes. My adult daughter is a Pima County employee and single parent of a minor child. I now live with them as I am indigent. She provides my housing, basic personal necessities, and transportation for my own groceries. CODAC Behavioral Health and Cenpatico provide my pprimary care, mental health, and Rx needs. I received SNAP and AHCCCS government assistance. I have a free government mobile phone. I’ve qualified for a Pell Grant and Safford Loan to continue my post secondary education in hopes of finding a new career. As I’m homebound, I’ll have to take classes online. There is no internet, cable tv, or land line phone service. I desperately need financial assistance for internet service in order to complete my classes. I’m desperately hoping you can steer me toward such help. Please, thus old widow is trying to get her groove back!!!

    Reply

  12. Please send me an application for the internet basics program for liw income individuals and families.

    Reply

    • You’ll need to apply directly with Internet Basics, Barbara. This is an independent informational website NOT affiliated with any of the low-income internete service providers.

      But we would recommend that you check out ALL the low-income internet companies before enrolling with any of them. Here’s where you can find a complete list of those companies:

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

      Reply

  13. I would like more information on your low-income Internet. Is it available in Blanchester Ohio 45107? Thank you

    Reply

  14. I am a retired military living on a fixed income of 2400/month is there a low income plan that I can qualify for?

    Reply

    • Good for you, G. Most of the people who enroll in these programs can only dream of bringing in $2400/month.

      You didn’t mention how many people are in your family. If it’s just you, you make too much to qualify for a number of the programs. We’d recommend you go to the following link and check out two programs — PCs for People and 4GCommunity. 4GCommunity has no income limits, so it might be a good fit for you. Here’s that link:

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

      Reply

  15. I’m a disability person with Medicare &Medical Extra Help. My income is based on 135% to be low income. I only have Internet on my phone & it is had to keep up with my accounts with them. I have RA arthritis, meds are more a month then I received frome SSI. This month (June) I’m drawing my regular SS at age 66. I was diagnosed 9 yrs ago with worst then several RA. I worked 50 yrs doing payrolls for Florida Citrus Companies in Ft. Pierce & Vero Beach. I’m married for the 3rd time it’s been 12 yrs but he never help me raise my 3 children I had from my 2 marriage before. He is 9 yrs younger & the home is in his name. Which is in foreclosure court in Aug. I always help him with his payments & other part of the bills. I have bad choices in man, he like 1 of the others have had drinking problem & run with other woman. I was making as much as he would all the 27 yrs we been together but I had my rental places before he brought the house. He didn’t help much on the rental, $50.monthly .I have even made all the bills in the house til he would take out what my part out of his checking account to spend on drinking & woman. The Bank would never talk to me so he in foreclosure in 2009 but got another chance to keep it. He wasn’t aloud to be late or miss one, but he lost his job June 2015 & didn’t get 1 til June 2016. He had a 401K account & a nice a month in it so he made 2015 payments & the air was out in the house so he got a small unit put in the house then what it had. So he had a nice amount still left but put it to his 2 habits. So got behind 6 months so in Oct. 2016 they wanted him to sign another agreement which took the house (he has his taxes & insurance included in the mortage) up over $6,000.more than what he paid the for the house 17 yrs early. So he now has to go to court & fight for it. Which I have talk to a Lawyer & was told that he needs to try & sign the agreement. Because without legal help he will lose in court. I have been checking into my help & if he does, they are going to help me to get a low in income place & what every else I will need. I just find out about this help & really need it for my Drs. & Medicare & Medical websites to keep up with my accounts. I have not been on my meds.going on 2 yrs.He let me pay my part of his premium til he lost his job. I got on Medicare & was able 2 yrs after I went on disability but it took another 2 yrs for me to get the extra help on my meds. But then at Christmas 2016, I broke my lower leg close to my left ankle & couldn’t take my shots til it was heal which to 9 weeks & now I have to go thur a long Dr. Exam, to check that I don’t have TB, blood work. But after all that I will have to go to Welcome to Medicare which is all the tests for everything. So $1,000.a month is not going to go very far. But I also need eye tests & a cataract remove before I can get new prescription glasses. So Please help me to be able to do stuff like this quite & easier than on a 5″ phone. Thanks Patricia Selph, I go by Patsy

    Reply

    • You should check out all the low-income internet plans available before you enroll with any of them, Patsy. We would recommend checking out three in particular to see if you qualify and if they are available in your area: PCs for People, 4GCommunity, and AT&T. You can check them all out at this link:

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

      Reply

  17. Hi I would like to know more about your interest pogrom because I’m a low income familie and I can not afford regular internet so can you please help my low income familie. Thank you very much..

    Reply

  18. I am currently unemployed and on food stamps, I will be 57 this year and would like to know how to get in contact with someone regarding cheap internet.

    Reply

    • You do not qualify for some of the plans because they are aimed at families with school age children. However, there are other plans that do not require kids, and they are available to people with higher incomes. Specifically, you should check out PCs for People, 4GCommunity and AT&T at this link:

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

      Reply