Julia Anderson
Emergency Broadband Benefit Program
We begin this list with a newly announced free government Wi-Fi program that sounds quite promising. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have an official start date yet, but you can look for it shortly.
The Emergency Broadband Benefit program would give eligible households a hefty $50 to $75 discount on their monthly Internet service. In addition, it would provide those households with $100 towards the purchase of a laptop.
2023
Tax Forgiveness
We know how challenging it can be to pay off your tax debt.
The IRS just announced the 2023 Fresh Start Program, to qualify more people for tax relief!
Such a benefit could greatly help a family with kids needing Internet and a computer to take virtual classes. It could also help low-income college students and anyone looking to work from home.
Eligibility for the Emergency Broadband Benefit program will be limited to the following:
- People who qualify for the Lifeline program.
- Students who were awarded a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year.
- Anyone eligible for COVID-19 Internet programs or low-income plans from participating Internet providers.
- Households where a child receives free or reduced-price school breakfasts or lunches.
- Households where single filers have an income below $99,000 or $198,000 for joint filers that experienced severe financial losses during the pandemic.
Altice Advantage Internet
This low-income Internet program helps households where a child participates in the National School Lunch Program, a veteran receives public assistance, or a senior is eligible for SSI. If you qualify, you can get free Internet for 60 days and service for $14.99 per month after with speeds up to 30 Mbps.
Access from AT&T
Does someone in your household participate in SNAP (aka food stamps)? If so, you could qualify for this low-cost Internet program from AT&T that offers speeds up to 10 Mbps for just $5 to $10 per month.
Spectrum Internet Assist
To qualify for this affordable Internet program, someone in your household will need to receive public assistance. You can enjoy Internet speeds up to 30 Mbps for just $14.99 per month if they do.
Comcast Internet Essentials
As with other low-income programs in this list, you’ll need to receive some form of public assistance to qualify for Comcast Internet Essentials. With it, you’ll get the first 60 days free, and you’ll only have to pay $9.95 per month after. Speeds go up to 25 Mbps.
Cox Connect2Compete
This program from Cox was made for households with students needing low-cost Internet. You’ll need to have at least one child in grades K-12 and qualify for public assistance to be eligible. The cost is $9.95 per month with blazing fast speeds of up to 50 Mbps.
Lifeline
The FCC created this program that offers a $9.95 discount off monthly Internet or phone service. To be eligible, you’ll need to receive public assistance or make less than 135 percent of the federal poverty guidelines.
Mediacom Connect2Compete
Internet speeds up to 25 Mbps for $9.95 per month are what this program offers. To qualify, your K-12 child must be eligible for the National School Lunch Program.
Verizon
You can enjoy up to 200 Mbps through Verizon at a $20 monthly discount as long as you are eligible for the Lifeline program. While more expensive, this low-income Internet service is ideal if you need fast speeds for streaming, video calls, gaming, etc.
Internet First
Would you like to have 50 Mbps Internet for just $9.95 per month? Internet First can provide it as long as you receive public assistance. Even better, you can get your first 60 days of Internet free.
