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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

  3. It seems the interned costs when coupled with phone service gets expensive for seniors. I am 85 and on limited incomd with medical expenses like open heart surgery in 2014. what id the best plan for me. I have Infinity now with a land line phone. and a cell phone.

    Reply

  4. I am a disabled veteran receiving Section 8. I have very low income and I am 63 years old. When I moved into my senior community apartment last year no one told me about these programs. So high sign up for Xfinity / Comcast one year for $19.95 a month. I recently found out about Internet Essentials Comcast Xfinity and was told I could not qualifying now because I have internet with the regular Comcast that I have to be without their service for 90 days in order to qualify in the meantime I received a new bill from Comcast / Xfinity that my right just increased to $49.95. I can no longer afford internet. So I’m going to have to cancel. Comcast/ Xfinity please take this 90-day rule out of the Internet Essentials senior program so people like me can participate. I am so frustrated

    Reply

    • We are unable to track availability down to the zip code level, Irene, but you can check at EveryoneOn.org to find out.

      Reply

  6. Hi
    Which is the cheapest home internet service for NYC low budget senior? Is Spectrum the cheapest? or are there others serving lower Manhattan for less?
    thanks
    sherry

    Reply

  7. I’m 65 years old and have been excepted into subsidized housing.My SSI is $1063.00 per month.Looking for a cheap internet service in my area.01852.Please let me know of my options.Thank you.

    Reply

  8. POLITICIANS ARE TO GET THEIR ACT TOGETHER AND RE-EVALUATE THIS PROGRAM FOR ELDERS SENIORS INTERNET BY WORKING ON REMOVING THE NITCH WITH SAID PROGRAMS.

    Reply

    • You can always check back here at CheapInternet.com because we will provide news as soon as it happens.

      Reply

  10. Reviewing just the sales pitches here, there’s certainly A CATCH, or SEVERAL CATCHES, with any of these supposedly “low-income” internet service providers… given the relative dearth of detailed information these corporate-welfare opportunist companies are willing to reveal.
    What few of them seem to realize is that MILLIONS of low-income Americans CAN’T AFFORD THE HIGH PRICES most of these companies charge, ALL THE WHILE RAKING IN MULTIPLE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS in PROFITS, then moaning, groaning, and usually LYING about how their profits aren’t sufficient! SUCH SUBTERFUGE and DECEIT is simply self-serving BS, PLAIN and SIMPLE, and THERE’S FEW LEGAL CONSEQUENCES FOR THEIR LYING SO DISREPUTABLY! The FCC isn’t doing it’s job here, thanks to Repugnicans on the take from so many of these corporate finaglers and crooks! So SOMEONE NEEDS TO WAKE UP HERE and give seniors, almost always on pitifully-fixed incomes, a REAL BREAK, and CUT THE UNHOLY CRAP (PROPAGANDA) these sleazebag corporate phonies are pedalling!

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    • You’re spewing a whole lot of venom there, Steve. By the way, the last report we’ve seen shows that the cable companies contribute far mor to Democrats than they do to “Repugnicans.”

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  12. I am a senior in dire need of the Internet. How can I obtain it for $5.00 a month. I need your phone number so I can contact you personally.

    Reply

    • We don’t know if there’s a $5 option for you (there may well be one, but we don’t have enough info to know), but you should check out ALL the low-income internet plans at the link below. Then you can contact the company that fits your needs best by using the contact info we provide on each provider’s page. Here’s that link:

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

      Reply

  13. Im 58 still work full time husband unemployed 18 yr old granddaughter in college on scholarships do we have any cheap internet options

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  14. l AM A 75 YEAR OLD AND I HAD A STROKE I LIVE IN SECTION 8 APARTMENT. I AM INTERESTED IN YOUR UPCOMING PROGRAM. MY TELEPHONE IS 617-731-****.

    Reply

    • This is an independent informational website, Richard, so it’s not “our” program. You need to contact the service provider directly.

      Reply

  15. I am a senior living in Las Vegas Nv. I have a below poverty level income. ai qua;ify for all the things except SSI. I receive Social Security, which is below povery level. Yet I can not qualify for low income internet. Please let me know. 1-702-547-****. Thank you for your attention.

    Joyce LoGiudice

    Reply