7 Sources of Low Cost Internet for Seniors

8 sources of low cost internet for seniors help older adults stay in touch with family & friends and access helpful resources.

Low cost internet services help seniors stay connected

The internet is a valuable tool for seniors. It helps them stay connected with family, friends, and community services.

This helps prevent social isolation, which can seriously worsen health.

An internet connection is also needed to use helpful services like tele-health appointments, Amazon Echo, free caption phones, free videos (like exercises to reduce fall risk), on-demand music, streaming movies, and more.

Having internet at home also allows the use of safety services, like fall monitoring, automated temperature control, home security, and more.

But monthly access fees can be expensive.

Fortunately, federal government programs and some internet service providers are helping seniors get online with low-cost services, typically with no monthly contracts and free or low-cost equipment.

We rounded up 7 sources of low-cost internet for seniors. Availability depends on location and financial situation, but these programs are well worth checking into.

 
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7 sources of low cost internet for seniors

1. FCC’s Lifeline program

Lifeline is a federal program that lowers the monthly cost of phone or internet services. Participants in Medicaid, SSI, SNAP, Veterans benefits, and other federal and state assistance programs are eligible.

Eligible customers can get up to $9.25 off the cost of phone, internet, or bundled services. People living on Tribal lands can get an enhanced discount of up to $34.25. Find out more and sign up

 

2. Comcast Xfinity

Eligible individuals can get home internet service for $9.95/month, in-home Wifi, option to buy a discounted computer, access to free internet training classes, and access to Xfinity Wifi hotspots. Find out more and apply online

 

3. AT&T

Access from AT&T provides free or low-cost home internet service to qualifying households. Low-cost access is $30/month or less based on the maximum speed available at the address. Find out more and apply online

 
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4. EveryoneOn

EveryoneOn is an organization that works with a variety of internet service providers to offer low-cost plans. See offers

 

5. Spectrum Internet Assist

Spectrum Internet Assist offers special rates on internet internet service and discounts.

To qualify, a household member must be receiving one of these assistance programs: Supplemental Security Income (for applicants age 65+ only), National School Lunch Program (NSLP), Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) of the NSLP. Check availability in your area

 

6. Google Fiber

In qualifying areas in select locations under the Neighborhood 100 plan, Google Fiber offers high-speed plans for $20/month. Check for availability and find out more

 

7. Internet First

The Internet First program offers high speed internet service to qualifying low-income households in RCN, Grande, and Wave serviceable areas. Check for availability and find out more

 

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By DailyCaring Editorial Team

 

This article wasn’t sponsored and doesn’t contain affiliate links. For more information, see How We Make Money.


44 Comments

  • Reply March 1, 2021

    Roger Jones

    # 5 has discontined their data sims for internet.
    5. FreedomPop
    FreedomPop offers free and low cost wireless internet access to households in selected zip codes.

    • Reply March 1, 2021

      DailyCaring

      Thanks for the update!

      Program details are always changing, so it’s helpful to check with the provider just in case something has changed recently.

  • Reply October 23, 2019

    Lina Alford

    I live in a rural area with one internet provider. They have gone up in price and another hike is coming.

    • Reply October 23, 2019

      DailyCaring

      So sorry to hear about this 🙁 In case it’s helpful, you may want to check to see if you’re eligible for other benefits programs that could help with expenses — Find Financial Help for Seniors: 2,500+ Federal, State, and Private Benefits Programs https://dailycaring.com/find-financial-help-for-seniors-federal-state-and-private-benefits-programs/

      • Reply June 12, 2022

        Jeanne mullins

        I want to thank you for your reports on free internet I’ve been looking for hours and I think I’ll go with freedompopand I just want to thank you again keep letting people know what news JM

    • Reply January 20, 2020

      Carol A Phillips

      Do you service 890 Hwy 42 Jackson,Ga?we just need internet service and are seniors?

      • Reply January 21, 2020

        DailyCaring

        Each internet company provides different services in different locations and will likely have different program qualifications. It will be best to call internet providers in your area to find out what programs are available.

        (DailyCaring is an informational website and email newsletter and doesn’t provide any internet services)

  • Reply May 1, 2019

    Barbara Frank

    Is there an Internet service out there that can help senior citizens that are not on Welfare, SNAP, or Medicaid. We are on fixed incomes and need help too. SS only goes so far. We have mortgages or rent to pay, utilities, other bills to pay and not much left over for food. We like to be connected like everybody else. It seems people on Medicaid, SNAP, etc. get all the help they need, but senior citizens don’t. I don’t qualify for food stamps because I am above the poverty line (gross income). My net income for the year after all expenses on my income tax is a little above $8K. Now, why do they go by gross and not net income? Just venting. Sorry, but true.

    • Reply July 28, 2019

      DailyCaring

      I’m so sorry that these programs haven’t been helpful to you. It’s possible that you’d qualify for other types of benefits programs. There are many that are available from federal, state, county, and nonprofit organizations.

      NCOA has created an online tool that helps you find out if you can qualify for any of the 2,000+ programs. Get more info here — Benefits Programs Help Pay for Caregiving Expenses https://dailycaring.com/financial-help-caregiving-expenses/

    • Reply May 29, 2020

      Ronald Todd

      I’m on a fixed income and need WiFi, can you help?

      • Reply May 29, 2020

        DailyCaring

        Each internet company provides different services in different locations and will likely have different program qualifications.

        It will be best to call internet providers in your area to find out what programs are available.

        (DailyCaring is an informational website and email newsletter and doesn’t provide any internet services)

  • Reply January 30, 2019

    David Proske

    Internet should be available to all US citizens. Make the companies profiting from the internet pay the way. Hope I can submit this, I have no email address. My current access is through my $90 a month wireless cell service.

  • Reply January 4, 2019

    Karen Mutschler

    I live in senior low income HUD Section 8 housing and just received internet essentials for $9.99 monthly. I also have SS Disability with Snap benefits, Medicare & Medicaid and the program is great for me. I also transferred after installation of 2 months prior without issues. I had to call them several times to set the the new installation set up but they did not charge me and I did not have to wait 90 days. I just love it! Thank You Comcast ☺It may work out better to call them as I did. The application did not work for me but their representatives are very helpful and will get you connected!

    • Reply January 4, 2019

      DailyCaring

      Thank you for sharing your experience! I’m so glad this worked out so well.

      • Reply August 11, 2019

        LINDA COMPTON

        WHAT IS THE PHONE NUMBER THAT I CAN CALL TO GET THE SERVICE THAT KAREN GOT FOR $9.99?

        • Reply August 12, 2019

          DailyCaring

          Each internet company provides different services in different locations and will likely have different program qualifications. It will be best to call internet providers in your area to find out what programs are available.

    • Reply October 26, 2020

      gary cave

      i am on SS disability with snap benefit, Medicare. I have prior comcast they with not transfer me to essential or let me apply for it tell I TURN OFF MY INTERNET. IF I TURN OFF THE INTERNET HOW DO I APPLY, I CALL COMCAST ESSENTIAL ALL THEY WOULD SAY IS DON’T TURN YOUR SERVICES OFF. BUT UNLESS I TURN MY SERVICES OFF I CAN’T APPLY THEY WERE NO HELP TO ME AT ALL.

      • Reply November 5, 2020

        DailyCaring

        We’re so sorry that your internet provider hasn’t been helpful. You might consider calling another internet provider in your area to find out if they could be more helpful.

  • Reply December 9, 2018

    Carol Lanier

    I have submitted my information 4 times to Century link for help because I am 82 and on medicare, medicaid and snap. They have returned it each time saying I have not submitted the information they need to approve my application. I have sent a copy of my drivers license , award letter for medicaid and SNAP , and a copy of my current award letter from Social Security. Also Copies of my SNAP card , Medicaid Card , and drivers license. Also a 6 to 8 page of forms to fill out, to initial and date and for some reason I still don’t seem to give them what they require to approve my application. That has been four months .

    • Reply December 14, 2018

      DailyCaring

      I’m sorry that Century Link hasn’t been helpful. If you haven’t already, perhaps you could call and speak with a representative to find out more about what’s missing from your application or why you might not be eligible for the program.

      Or, you may want to contact your local Area Agency on Aging to see if there are other local organizations or programs that could provide help with Internet access. More info on where to find them here — https://dailycaring.com/local-community-resources-for-seniors-and-caregivers-area-agency-on-aging/

      • Reply July 16, 2019

        Anonymous

        centurylink sucks they keep raising the bill limiting the speed and rejecting my application because they are run by morons.

    • Reply July 14, 2021

      Adela

      Ma’am perhaps you should send them the paperwork and have the post office request a signature on whoever receives your letter. That way you have a signature, as proof, of whoever received it.

  • Reply November 21, 2018

    TA

    FLA is right, your title is misleading, if you are not on some kind of assistance program like SNAP none of these programs will do anything for you. These programs are not for seniors.

    • Reply December 2, 2018

      DailyCaring

      Some of these programs are specifically for seniors and others are for all low income individuals. The programs generally have income requirements and some, but not all, require enrollment in SNAP.

    • Reply December 5, 2018

      Judith Becker

      Optimum has a Senior Program and then you find out OH SORRY you need SSI
      not SNAP, MEDICARE, MEDICAID….844-358-3147. Instead of trying to help Seniors they are too cheap.

      DISGUSTED oh and then I could pay 29.99..I told them they need to rewrite their ad.

      • Reply December 6, 2018

        DailyCaring

        I’m so sorry you had a poor experience with that internet provider 🙁 I hope another company in the area will be able to offer programs that better suit your circumstances.

      • Reply February 12, 2019

        Yang

        They always try to deny you with all kinds reasons.
        I do have SSI, Medicare, Medicare savings program. Snap….. They said my qualification was expired with no details explained.
        I have suffered Hurricane Harvey, lord knows when I can recover. My internet was $30, and for whatever reasons the service raised to $49 each month. I cant afford it. I need to eat!!!
        Everyone wants something from anyone. This is how the humanity works now.

        • Reply February 13, 2019

          DailyCaring

          I’m so sorry you had a poor experience with your internet provider 🙁 You might consider calling back to speak with another representative who might be able to explain why you don’t qualify right now and how you could qualify again in the future (or ask to speak with a supervisor).

    • Reply January 18, 2021

      Lydia

      It’s 2021 and I couldn’t agree more !

  • Reply October 5, 2018

    R. Raimondi

    Comcast says i need to pay a penalty for disconnect and be gone for 90 days to be eligible. what is wrong with this picture? everything.

    • Reply October 7, 2018

      DailyCaring

      I’m so sorry that happened 🙁

    • Reply June 18, 2019

      Anonymous

      Internet essentials program with comcast is non. comcast customers within last 90 days and can’t owe a bill less than a year old to qualify.

      • Reply June 18, 2019

        DailyCaring

        Thanks for sharing the information you received. It’s a helpful reference point, but it’s important to remember that internet providers change their program offerings constantly and offer different services in different geographical areas.

        If anyone is interested in a low-cost internet access progam, it’s always worthwhile to call to find out the latest information about program eligibility and details.

  • Reply September 24, 2018

    Sandra

    I have the same question as the person from ‘Fla’, I’m not on Welfare or am a Food Stamp recipient as I ‘make too much money’! However, I only live on my Social Security and it’s very hard to pay all that has to be paid. No raise and if we get a raise, Medicare takes it. I would love to find the person that coined the fraze ‘Life begins at 50’!! He/she must have died 1 second after turning 50!
    You do not help Seniors living in a subsidized low income Senior housing units? Something isn’t right.

    • Reply September 24, 2018

      DailyCaring

      DailyCaring is an email newsletter and website that provides helpful information that helps families who are caring for older adults. We don’t provide any services or benefits.

      I’m sorry you haven’t been able to find help with internet service costs. Each program has different requirements, so it will be up to each Internet service company to determine the eligibility for their low cost internet service. Since we aren’t affiliated with any of these companies, we don’t have those specific details. It may be worth a try to contact the programs available in your area to find out more in case anything has changed since they put the information on their websites.

      You may also want to check to see if you’re eligible for other benefits programs to help with expenses. There’s a handy tool that helps you check, more info here: https://dailycaring.com/financial-help-caregiving-expenses/

  • Reply September 10, 2018

    Fla

    Really for seniors ? There is nothing about income only if you have food stamps or welfare? What about those who do not have that. Comcastanother joke you are not eligible if you have service recently. No one cares about those who need it for income eligibility?? This article is useless.

    • Reply September 10, 2018

      DailyCaring

      I’m sorry you haven’t been able to find the internet service you’re looking for. Each program has different requirements, so it will be up to each company to determine the eligibility for low cost internet service. Since we aren’t affiliated with any of these companies, we don’t have those specific details. It may be worth a try to contact the programs available in your area to find out more.

  • Reply August 20, 2018

    Rebecca Blankenship

    Answer me this>Everybody/thing ‘quotes’ apply online. How is/are we supposed to do that (apply on line) without the resources to do so?

    • Reply August 22, 2018

      DailyCaring

      If you’re able to access the Internet from a free source like the local library or senior center, you should be able to apply online from there. Or, you could call these companies on the telephone — these companies often enroll customers for services through phone conversations.

    • Reply November 21, 2018

      Deborah. Durham

      Go to library for free PC use . There are places that offer computer use. Or have a friend ir family member do it.

    • Reply February 8, 2020

      Anonymous

      Exactly!!! You answered my question……..

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