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Senior Internet Service – Is there an Internet for Seniors plan?

BIG NEWS: Comcast has just started a pilot program to determine if and how to extend Internet Essentials to low-income senior citizens. Click Here to read more about that program.


Too many of America’s senior citizens have trouble paying their bills these days. Many have had their savings wiped out, others have seen their income decline sharply due to low interest rates, and some live on their social security payments and simply can’t keep up with rising expenses. 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.

With all the new programs that provide inexpensive internet to low-income people, one would think there must be an internet program specifically designed to provide internet for seniors. But surprisingly, there are no such senior internet programs, not even an AARP Internet plan.

They government (the Federal Communications Commission) has “encouraged” Comcast to create the Internet Essentials broadband internet service for low-income Americans. It also “encouraged” Century Link to set up, Internet Basics, an internet service for students on free lunch programs. But, alas, nothing to provide internet for senior citizens.

Connect2Compete was created as a partnership of non-profit groups and private companies to help low income Americans cross the digital divide. But, alas, Connect2Compete offers no senior internet programs.

The government is in a pilot program that we’ve dubbed “Lifeline Internet” because it is similar to the Lifeline Assistance program, which helps low-income households get free cell phones and free minutes. But, that programs seems to have stalled.

We’ve developed this page because we have received so many emails from needy seniors asking why the government and various companies seemingly help everyone but them. Where is cheap internet for seniors? Why no senior internet programs?

Here’s our advice: While there is no cheap internet program designed specifically for them, it’s quite possible that many seniors may qualify for one of the existing programs. Check each program’s eligibility requirements to see if you qualify.

Let’s review them quickly:

Internet Basics: If you participate in any 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, OR if your income is at or below 135-150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, you may qualify. Follow the link for more information.

Internet Essentials: If there is a student in your house who participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), they many qualify for this program that provides $9.95/month high-speed internet and a computer for $150. Do you have a grandchild or even great grandchild living with you?

Connect2Compete: This has essentially the same eligibility criteria as Internet Essentials, above — a child on the National School Lunch Program (NSLP).

We hope that we will one day be able to replace this page with one that announces a new “cheap internet for seniors” package. We’ll keep you informed of anything that might be coming.

In the meantime, we encourage you to call your state and federal representatives, and even the cable and telephone companies themselves, to urge them to expand their cheap internet programs to include America’s needy seniors.

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Comments

  1. I have been advised that I am eligible for the Comcast plan but I must give up the internet for three months before this can happen. I am homebound on a walker, 86yrs old. I use my laptop almost all day and every day. To be without the internet for three months would be like a death sentence to me.
    Paying my Comcast bill is a nightmare. My latest bill adds on $13.00 for second T.V. access. I live in a single room with one old T.V. I don’t have a cell phone because I am just too old to remember how to operate it. I scrimp to pay my bill.
    Can you help?

    Reply

    • Sorry to be the bearers of bad news, but there is no way around the 90-day period between a regularly-priced account and a low-income account, Sheila. Unless, that is, you can find an alternative service provider at this link:

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

      Lots of our readers have recommended PCs for People. You are required to pay upfront, but the service usually gets very high marks (IF, that is, it’s available in your area).

      Reply

  2. I NEED INEXPENSIVE INTERNET SERVICE. I AM A LOW INCOME SENIOR CITIZEN

    i AM ATTEMPTING TO GET ENROLLED IN COLLEGE TO BECOME QUALIFIED TO COUNSEL SUBSTANCE ABUSE INDIVIDUALS. i ALREADY HAVE A PhD IN HEALTH EDUCATION BUT I NEED UPDATING. i HAVE BEE IN TOUCH WITH A COUPLE OF COLLEGES AND I NEED TO HAVE A COMPUTER BECAUSE I WANT TO TAKE MY COURSES ONLINE. i HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED AT A COUPLE OF COLLEGES BUT i NEED THE COMPUTER TO GET INTO THE PROGRAM.

    Reply

    • Visit EveryoneOn.org and plug in your zip code. It will tell you who offers low-income computers in your area.

      Reply

    • If you are low-income, several sources are available for both services you want. You can find out all about the low-income internet services at the following link (check them all out carefully to find the one that fits your needs best):

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

      Then you can visit our other website, FreeGovernmentCellPhones.net, to find out all about the Lifeline program and how to get that phone. Pretty simple, really. Here’s where you can find all the plans available in your state:

      https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states

      Reply

  5. I am turning 69 next month. I had to discontinue cable TV and go to rabbit ears. Now, I am going to lose my internet too. I am on food stamps and disability and my income is below poverty level. You would think that Cox would work with me since I’ve been with them for over 8 years, but no. Their greed has taken me back to the 1950’s and rabbit ears. And I will be losing the internet soon too. I can’t even afford to pay for a ambulance, should I need one. At least I have my flip-top phone that Cricket gave me for free and only charge me $25 a month.

    Reply

    • We probably don’t have all the info we need regarding your situation, Phyllis, but here’s an idea. It sounds as if you qualify for a free government cell phone. If you can qualify, you would save $25 per month which would then give you enough money to enroll in one of the low-income internet plans.

      First thing you need to do is visit our other website, FreeGovernmentCellPhones.com, to find a plan that fits your needs best. Here’s where you can find all the free government cell phone plans available in your state:

      https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states

      Then come back here to find the low-income internet plan that fits your needs best. You can find all those plans at this link:

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

      Reply

    • You’ve come to the right website, Miguel. Just click around and you’ll find all the info you need regarding service providers, contact info, eligibility rules, and service areas.

      Reply

  8. With an income of $750 per month , how are Seniors expected to pay ridiculous prices for internet ? It seems a necessity today. I had to get rid of landline because I couldn’t afford it. Also newspaper.Can’t even have cable. Kids pay for Netflix for me. Not a fun way to live ! Utility prices keep going up , but not my Social Security.

    Reply

  10. I would like to know about low income internet I’m#58 needs for Tlyer TX $10 dollars a month would work for me sooner the better

    Reply