Introduction
Ever since the pandemic struck, we began to realize the wonders that Internet can do. No longer just limited to entertainment and information, Internet has made our lives more efficient by easing down almost all our daily tasks. Most of us cannot even imagine a single day without this boon of science. For us, it may be a necessity. But for some, it is still sadly a luxury. According to a report by The ‘No Home Left Offline’, around 18 million US households face the challenge of internet affordability. Let us know how to resolve Low Income Internet.
How To Get Low-Income Internet?
To battle the digital divide discussed above, Biden’s government has announced the launch of affordable Internet programs for low-income American households. The people covered under these programs will directly benefit from reduced-cost internet services. Read on as this article will brief you about such programs and tell you if you are eligible for them or not.
A. Government-Funded Internet Services
1. Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)
Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is an internet-assistance program launched by the US administration along with Federal Communications Commission (FCC). This program works to ensure internet access to low-income American households for their work, education, business, etc.
The benefits covered under this program are listed below:
- Discount on internet services up to $30 per month.
- Discount on internet services up to $75 per month, provided you are dwelling in qualifying Tribal regions.
- One-time discount of up to $100 on the purchase of devices like laptops, tablets, desktops, computers, etc. (Provided, the contribution of the household is between $10 to $50)
The thing to be noted is that ACP allows a discount of only one month, and that too for one device per household.
You are eligible for this program if the income of your household is equal to or less than 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or if it meets any of the criteria mentioned on the official website at: https://www.fcc.gov/acp.
2. Lifeline Broadband Program
Lifeline is another low-income internet program run by Federal Communications Commission (FCC). It is an age-old program working since 1984.
The benefits covered under this program are listed below:
- Discounts on either phone bills or internet services for up to $9.25 per month.
- Discounts on either phone bills or internet services for up to $34.25 per month, provided you are dwelling in qualifying Tribal regions.
You are eligible for this program if the income of your household is equal to or falls below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Also, you will be eligible if anyone in your household has enrolled in one of the given programs:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
- Federal Public Housing Assistance
- Medicaid
- Supplemental Security Income
- Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
B. Low-Income Internet Assistance By Providers
It’s not just the government that is working towards improved internet affordability and accessibility. In fact, many Internet Service Providers (ISPs) have started their own initiatives to provide low-income internet services. Some providers offer free or low-cost internet to students as part of their programs.
Some Of The Top Service Providers Offering Such Assistance are:
- Altice Advantage Internet – offering up to 50 Mbps at $14.99 per month
- Access from AT&T – offering up to 100 Mbps at $30 per month
- Cox Connect2Compete – offering up to 100 Mbps at $9.95 per month
- Mediacom Connect2Compete – offering up to 25 Mbps at $9.95 per month
- Spectrum Internet Assist – offering up to 100 Mbps at $29.99 per month
- Xfinity Internet Essentials – offering up to 50 Mbps at $9.95 per month
Conclusion
The relevance that the internet holds in our lives cannot be understated. And that’s the reason why it comes at such a heavy price. Thanks to the programs announced by the government, you can now access the internet at a low cost. If you fall into a prescribed category, you will be eligible to get yourself enrolled in these programs. However, if you ascertain that you are not eligible, don’t lose hope! In such a case, you can try exploring a few cheaper providers in your locality. If you live near places like libraries, cafes, hotels, or bus stations that usually have free Wi-Fi, that would be a jackpot! Thus, if you stay alert and explore more options, you can definitely save a lot on your monthly internet bills.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Will beneficiaries under the Affordable Connectivity Program get cash to purchase internet plans?
No, the Affordable Connectivity Program doesn’t provide the beneficiaries direct cash to purchase internet plans. Instead, ACP offers a monthly discount on your internet purchases based on your income and residential place. The funds only get distributed among the ISPs for the loss they have to bear.
- Are students also covered under the Low-Income Internet Programs?
Not all the above-discussed schemes cover students under their umbrella. However, a few Internet Service Providers do offer students free or highly discounted internet services. Connect2Compete program is one such program that strives to provide internet assistance to students. Large Telecommunication companies like Mediacom and Cox are a part of this student-focused program.
