The internet has become an essential part of everyday life, but it can be expensive. If you’re on food stamps, you may be wondering if there are any ways to get free internet service. The good news is that there are a few options available, both through government programs and through private providers.
Government Programs
The two main government programs that offer free or low-cost internet to low-income households are the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and Lifeline.
1. Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)
The ACP is a federal program that provides up to $30 per month discounts on internet service for eligible households. To qualify for the ACP, you must meet one of the following criteria:
- Your household income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level.
- You receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
- You receive Medicaid benefits.
- You receive Federal Pell Grants.
- You receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.
- You participate in certain Tribal Lifeline programs.
You can apply for the ACP online or by calling (877) 384-2575.
2. Lifeline Program
Lifeline is a federal program that provides a $9.25 discount on phone or internet service for eligible households. To qualify for Lifeline, you must meet one of the following criteria:
- Your household income is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Level.
- You receive SNAP benefits.
- You receive SSI benefits.
- You receive Veterans Pension and Survivor Benefits.
- You participate in Federal Public Housing Assistance.
- You receive Medicaid benefits.
- You participate in certain Tribal Lifeline programs.
You can apply for Lifeline online or by calling 1 (800) 234-9473.
Private Providers
In addition to government programs, there are also a few private providers that offer free or low-cost internet service to low-income households.
1. Internet Essentials from Comcast
Internet Essentials from Comcast is a program that offers low-cost internet service to eligible households. To qualify for Internet Essentials, you must meet one of the following criteria:
- Your household income is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Level.
- You receive SNAP benefits.
- You receive Medicaid benefits.
- You receive National School Lunch Program (NSLP) free or reduced-price benefits.
- You receive Head Start benefits.
- You live in public housing.
Internet Essentials costs $9.95 per month and includes speeds of up to 50 Mbps.
You can apply for Internet Essentials online or by calling 1-855-8-INTERNET (1-855-846-8376).
2. Connect2Compete from Cox
Connect2Compete is a program from Cox that offers low-cost internet service to eligible households. To qualify for Connect2Compete, you must meet one of the following criteria:
- Your household income is at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level.
- You receive SNAP benefits.
- You receive SSI benefits.
- You receive Medicaid benefits.
- You receive Head Start benefits.
- You live in public housing.
Connect2Compete costs $9.95 per month and includes speeds of up to 10 Mbps.
You can apply for Connect2Compete from Cox online or by call at 1-844-627-5516.
3. Mediacom Connect2Compete
This program offers low-cost internet service to eligible households in select areas. To qualify for Mediacom Connect2Compete, you must meet one of the following criteria:
- Your household income is at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level.
- You receive SNAP benefits.
- You receive SSI benefits.
- You receive Medicaid benefits.
- You receive Head Start benefits.
- You live in public housing.
Mediacom Connect2Compete costs $9.95 per month and includes speeds of up to 10 Mbps.
You can apply for Mediacom Connect2Compete online or by call at 1-855-904-2225.
Altice Assist from Optimum
This program offers low-cost internet service to eligible households in select areas. To qualify for Altice Assist Optimum, you must meet one of the following criteria:
- Your household income is at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level.
- You receive SNAP benefits.
- You receive SSI benefits.
- You receive Medicaid benefits.
- You receive Head Start benefits.
- You live in public housing.
Altice Assist costs $14.99 per month and includes speeds of up to 30 Mbps.
You can apply for Altice Assist online or by calling 1-866-347-4784.
Other Options
In addition to the government programs and private providers listed above, there are a few other ways to get free or low-cost internet service.
- Public libraries: Many public libraries offer free Wi-Fi access. You can use your library card to log in to the Wi-Fi network and access the internet.
- Community centers: Some community centers also offer free or low-cost internet access. Contact your local community center to see if they offer this service.
- Schools: Some schools offer free or low-cost internet access to their students and their families. Contact your child’s school to see if they offer this service.
How to Choose the Right Free or Low-Cost Internet Plan for You
When choosing a free or low-cost internet plan, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- Price: Compare the prices of different plans to find the most affordable option for you.
- Speed: Consider how fast of internet speed you need. If you have a lot of devices in your home or use the internet for streaming video games or other high-bandwidth activities, you’ll need a faster speed.
- Data cap: Some low-cost internet plans have data caps, which means that you’ll have a limited amount of data that you can use each month. If you go over your data cap, you may be charged additional fees.
- Contract: Some low-cost internet plans require you to sign a contract. If you’re not sure how long you’ll need the service, you may want to choose a plan that doesn’t require a contract.
Conclusion
There are a few different ways to get free or low-cost internet service if you’re on food stamps. By comparing the different options available, you can find a plan that meets your needs and budget.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the government program that gives you free internet?
The government program that gives you free internet is the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The ACP is a federal government program that provides a benefit on home internet service for eligible households, decreasing your bill by up to $30/mo. or up to $75/mo. off your bill if you live on qualifying Tribal Lands.
How can I get $10 dollars a month on Wi-Fi?
You can get $10 a month on Wi-Fi by participating in the ACP. The ACP provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands.
Can you get free internet in Alabama?
Yes, you can get free internet in Alabama through the ACP. To qualify for the ACP, your household income must be at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or you must meet at least one of the following criteria:
- You participate in certain government assistance programs such as SNAP, Medicaid, Lifeline, or free and reduced-price school lunch and breakfast.
- You are a veteran or a member of a veteran’s household.
- You receive unemployment benefits.
- You are experiencing homelessness.
How do I get Wi-Fi on snap?
If you participate in SNAP, you may be eligible for the ACP. To apply for the ACP, visit the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) website.
Will the government pay for my internet?
The government may pay for your internet through the ACP. To find out if you are eligible for the ACP, visit the FCC website.
How can I get free Wi-Fi at home?
The best way to get free Wi-Fi at home is to participate in the ACP. If you are not eligible for the ACP, you may be able to find free Wi-Fi at public places such as libraries, community centers, and parks.
Can I get free internet on my phone?
There are a few ways to get free internet on your phone. One way is to use a Wi-Fi hotspot. Wi-Fi hotspots are areas where you can connect to the internet for free. You can find Wi-Fi hotspots at libraries, coffee shops, and other public places.
Another way to get free internet on your phone is to use a mobile internet app. Mobile internet apps allow you to connect to the internet using your phone’s cellular data. However, mobile internet apps can be slow and may have data limits.
How do I get portable Wi-Fi?
Portable Wi-Fi is a device that allows you to connect to the internet without having to be connected to a physical Wi-Fi network. Portable Wi-Fi devices typically use cellular data to connect to the internet.
To get portable Wi-Fi, you can purchase a portable Wi-Fi device from a mobile carrier. You can also rent a portable Wi-Fi device from some businesses.
What’s the difference between Wi-Fi and internet?
Wi-Fi is a wireless networking technology that allows devices to connect to the internet. The internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite (TCP/IP) to link several billion devices worldwide.