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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P . W. says
I’m a senior need internet now … My income budget is so stretched current with medical & medication needs I don’t have any TV I keep my house cold because my last Edison bill was $175.04 with pandemic covid 19 in to stay at home not to go out these past few months I’ve reduced to eating processed food delivered by a food pantry no fresh food I’m told by medical staff Dr. Eat lots if fresh food salad veggies fruits but i m not one internet to do my shopping no family to help me with going to store etc. I’m in need of assistance as I’m too rich by a few dollars to qualify for all these asst. Program food housing I’m no soc.security only make 3x less then men as my work era women got paid 3x lost doing same jib so my s. S. Still reflect that too I’ve worked all my life never was in any asst. Programs other unemployment 2very short time was back to work before got 1st unemployment check so a worker be I was my Soc.Sec. check is right at $1000. Hard to live on that an apt rental cist that much in a descent neighbor I’m not living in trashy area I deserve better. I’ve never lived in trashy places I’ve own my own home for 49+ years yes there is upkeep but its my home I’ll die here when that time comes not to far off either but today current needs is a internet service that I can afford and TV news would be nice I Luke OBS TV discovery nat geo but I’m not asking for the moon just some simple comforts in NY last few years would be a blessing over $100. A month for TV & interment u just cannot afcird I have lifeline for my kandlune and thus AT&T cell service has never worked at NY hone seems I’m behind hill where repeater is located I’m in a dead zone all cell service I of $48. To 38. A month for 3 years if loosely cell service or no service since my home was affected by an arson fire in my backyard 2017 just finally got rebuild dine Aug 2020 Doing the final stages of rebuild during a pandemic no joke really has been very very hard my last 4 years of senior life I’m sick now need to be in hospital but I’m stay in home trying to cope with self care I’m alone just life passing me by with pandemic.ic measures and health issues .. But internet would bring in the works news at least I could try getting fresh food into me not pantry processed fiids a fresh salad I would also die for fresh tomatoes veggie cauliflower celery carotts lettuce tried to grow garden from seeds of my last fresh produce but I’m guessingt they were gen altered could not get any to grow I’m told that’s because their gen altered for farmers to harvest then better I notuc everything been getting their skin are so tuff I can’t chew it have to spit it or choke it down with water makes a not so nice eating exo. When I was able to go eat a meal with a pal i h well hope someone is reading this can suggest help get me help I’m not a electronic wizard at all its a challenge my new hiusse has every new device my refrig I have to change temp by phone calk to Samsung I would if never got this had I known it was that way its eye candy for such nice pretty loojin even Stive mucri dishwasher all the same all eye candy I like a switch off in a high low med these I understand very well all this new fancy younger gen ideas are just that looks giid on oaoer let’s do it they need a senior input in these new fangle things. Just an old darts opinion senior are old dementia I watch my Dr. Office staffchecj that box in my friends records as she made her next visit spot. When ask staff why were they checking that box dementia in my friend she replied we do that in everyone 65 and over now so your wrote off at 65 I asked as may fiernd us 86 years and still pretty sharp but when your fine cabinet is with 89+ years it rake a minute to locate an answer at tines my aunt was 102 at her death she always knew the answer to my questions but maybe not the second I was asking but she remember to tekk me an answer to my question a few days ago I long forgotten I ask but she wanted me to know the answer and she was right I did ask that but it when out if my thoughts right after she said let think in that .. Fiid for thought our file cabinet our brain has many files as we age so don’t think we are dementia we are just with many files to recak looking for just the right place it was out in the old bean head file cabinet a masked granny here looking for internet and nagbe TV help suggestions ; }
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Visit EveryoneOn.org, plug in your zip code and you’ll find out what services are available in your area.
cheri mcguane says
comcast has just raised my cable and internet another $66.00 per month, after raising the bill every 3 months on average the past couple years. I am a low income senior citizen living in the skyway area of seattle. i noticed so many low cost internet plans require applicants to have a child to qualify. there needs to be more help for seniors who live alone. i had centurylink for a long period of time, but had to terminate with them due to their increasing high costs. My only income is social security, but not ssi.
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
100% agree, Cheri.