Low-Cost Internet Helps Seniors Cross the Digital
Divide
These days everything happens on the internet, from reading the news and finding recipes to researching healthcare treatments and applying for benefits. Not everyone’s on, though. The Pew Research Center says fewer than half of US seniors have high-speed internet at home. That’s because it’s costly – about $47 per month, on average. Some internet service providers, government agencies, and nonprofit groups are helping seniors log on with low-cost service. If you or a senior you know can’t afford home internet service, here’s what you need to know.
Local programs for low-income seniors
In parts of Boston, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle, and Palm Beach County, Florida, Comcast offers $10-a-month high-speed internet for low-income seniors, along with the things they need to make the most of it: low-cost computers and free training to help them safely navigate the online world. Learn more at Comcast’s Internet Essentials page for seniors.
Neighborhood-wide internet access discounts
In some neighborhoods where Google Fiber is installing its super-fast network, residents automatically qualify for $15/per month high-speed plans. The rate is available in areas where census data shows few residents with internet at home. Google Fiber projects are underway in Atlanta, Austin, Kansas City, Nashville, and Provo, and more than a dozen other cities are on the list as upcoming or potential locations for Google Fiber. Learn more at the Google Fiber website.
FreedomPop offers free and low-cost wireless internet access to households in selected low-income zip codes within the Sprint wireless network coverage area. Learn more on the national nonprofit EveryoneOn’s eligibility page
Low-cost internet access for SNAP participants
In the 21 states AT&T serves with home wireline internet plans, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program participants with no outstanding AT&T bills may qualify for the company’s discounted service. It costs between $5 and $10 per month, depending on the speed of service in the area. Learn more and apply at the Access from AT&T page.
Options for “grandfamilies” with school-age children
We’ve blogged about the growing resources for grandparents raising grandchildren or living with them, and one of those resources is affordable internet access. Households where at least one child qualifies for the National School Lunch Program may be eligible for $10/month service from several providers, including Comcast, Cox, and some regional ISPs. You can see a full list with program details on the EveryoneOn eligibility page.
More resources for low-cost internet access at home
The FCC’s Lifeline subsidy program will soon give participants $9.25 per month to spend on wired or wireless internet service. Participants in Medicaid, Section 8 public housing, Low-Income Home Energy Assistance, and other federal, state, and tribal assistance programs will be eligible. A start date for the internet subsidy hasn’t been set yet. Learn more and check for updates at the FCC’s Lifeline Support for Affordable Communications page.
Get Senior Living Advice Now
Speaking of saving money, if you’re looking for the best value options for senior care, be sure to visit SeniorAdvisor.com to see reviews, ratings, and prices for assisted living and more.
If you would like to to talk with a local expert about your senior care options, based on your needs and your budget, we’re here to help. Give us a call toll-free at (866) 592-8119 – we’re available 5am-9pm Mon-Fri and 5am-5:30pm Sat-Sun (Pacific Time).
Casey Kelly-Barton
Casey Kelly-Barton is an Austin-based freelance writer whose childhood was made awesome by her grandmothers, great-grandmother, great-aunts and -uncles, and their friends.
36 Comments
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TOO BAD THE CHEAPER INTERNET FOR SENIORS IS NOT AVAILABLE IN CANADA
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Too bad the cheaper medical and low cost medicine rates are not available in the U.S.
I think, overall, the Canadians come out ahead between medical vs internet options.-
That was a good one Gary
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I have the AT&T $10 Internet and it works fine for my needs. Upgrades for more storage are very inexpensive too. I also have a Safelink cell phone, a “smart” phone from the Federal Lifeline program that costs me $0 and again, works great for my needs. Also inexpensive to upgrade. I do get SSI is why I qualified, but there are other ways people can qualify too. Thank you for this list! I found a similar one via a Google search, able to do so because I had Intenet I was paying for.
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How about seniors in Canada that can not afford the high cost of internet
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I’m 61years old and had to take disability, my monthly income is less than 1000.00 per month. By the time I pay rent and utilities, I have very little left. I just recently got WiFi internet with hughsnet. I get a small amount of foodstamps.,and I live in mountains of S.E.Kentucky. all of my family lives in the Nashville Tn. Area,do or will I be able to get the low income internet?
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Hello Steven, by chance are you a veteran or the spouse of a veteran? I ask because I know of a veterans benefit that you might want to look into that specifically helps low income seniors afford senior care like assisted living, nursing home, or home care.
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I have an uncle who is a military veteran who is on disability. How would he qualify for any internet discount in Grand Rapids, Michigan?
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hi im a vet. ..about vet deal ? was it internet?
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I am a single home owner in Pittsburgh PA with a dog and a car on a low social security- under $1,000 a month, cant afford cable or internet to be able function like others. Ide also like to easily be able to handle important needs and necessities. We are forced to be inconvenienced and with everything now on or converting to the net. Ive had a Windows 10 hoping for free or $10 a mo easy internet.
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I live in Boro Park in Brooklyn, New York, I am 65+ young, not on social security or any government’s help program. I have lost my management level accounting job more than six and a half years back and since then I kept looking for a new job desperately but did not find any as of yet! My brothers pay’s for all the bills including the monthly rent, groceries etc and I am so grateful to them and to the Divine Lord for that.
It will be really very helpful and I appreciate it much if anyone can inform me if I can qualify for a Low Cost High Speed Internet service as I can not afford the Verizon’s price anymore as Verizon kept increasing their prices often and their taxes are also very high! Please help me with the info if you can.T
Thanks and wishing you all a very happy, healthy, peaceful and prosperous New Year 2018! Peace on earth!
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Anything available for seniors on section 8 and SNAPBin Phoenix as far as internet in home ? No asking about cell phone data,thank you very much
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Any companies offer liw cost internet for seniors on section 8 and SNAP?
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We have to use Spectrum Charter in my apartment building. We don’t get a break for high-speed internet here. Were on social security but I don’t get food stamps or other aids.
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My income is $700 monthly,so i’m unable to afford a lot! I’m in need of an affordable internet.
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I think all seniors over 62 should have lower cost of all utilities, dont have to file or pay taxes, and have discounts or no property and real estate taxes!!! all of us arent millionaires, or have tons of money put away or at our disposal. we earned our money but prices keep getting way outa our budgets. give us boomers a break will ya!!!
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I am a Senior on a very Limited Income. I would Love to find a Low cost Internet Service. I also could use some help with my Utilities
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Oh my goodness, I have spent 3 days searching for a low cost landline phone in Brooklyn, ny. There is no such thing. You must have Verizon service before they will offer anything. Spectrum will never ever give you a nickel, so seniors do not waste your time, as the lifeline is a bunch of hooey. They talk but will never give seniors anything.
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I live in a senior building. were only spectrum is allowed my internet. Is to high is there something I can do I can no longer effort it .I have no cable TV only internet.No dish or salites are allowed.
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Use “Sling t.v.” if you have wi-fi internet. It’s around $30 month. Cheap and you get all the channels you need.
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Thank you for this list!
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I live in Appleton Wisconsin 54913. Is there senior discounted internet here?
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I know that you can get a free government phone.
Is there also free internet? -
Is there free government internet?
There is free government phones! -
My Social Security is my only income. Facing the dillema of living on fixed income is trying, to say the least. I live in a SECTION 8 assisted living bldg. in St. Louis, Mo. I’ve heard rumors of cable/ internet being available for $10 a month, for seniors. What must I do to apply and the requsites for qualifying would be a great, great help. Thanks
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I live off $1,408 per month social security. Spectrum is charging me $172 a month for internet and cable. I live alone so I really need both of these services. They will not offer me anything cheaper. Can you help me?
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That’s a lot have you ever called in to see what you can do to lower your bill and cable is not a need but the internet can be beneficial I make 1875 a month and I can’t even afford nor willing to pay $172 I don’t watch tv and and I use the internet on my phone but I’m also looking for another internet service for my computer
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i live in maryland. i need internet. my ss check is 680 a month. is there cheap internet here ?
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I need aphone and internet service cheap my husband has parkensons and I am paying 107.00 . for phone and internet.
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Omg ? phone service is cheap ask them for their basic plan don’t fall for the upsale gimmick questions.. ask for the simplest plan local calling, no call waiting no caller Id the phone service should be 15 that’s for att and cox as well as Verizon BE SURE TO SPECIFY LANDLINE ….. a lot of times to sell you the internet they quote you the price for VOI or digital phone service
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I have had a Comcast, rthe cheapest they offer, for the last 10 years. They have gone from 99.00 to 179.00. I’m on SS and after paying my bills, cannot pay that much. I need
my internet and like watching TV. I also have a landline from Comcast. Is there another
service in the Nashua NH area that is cheaper? -
Make $1400 a month and live off of disability with little to no money left over after bills are paid. Prescription drugs cost $185.00 a month
Internet is expensive and can’t afford it.
What is available in the Parkesburg Pa area or seniors who need internet.? -
I’m a senior 67 years.I receive770 dollars a month social security. I live in Mississippi.I pay almost everything I draw a month to live.I don’t have cable or internet is there any help out there for this? Thanks
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I am a retired veteran, on a fixed income. I need an inexpensive internet supply.
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I am 78 yrs old living on 1300.00 a month SS no other income. Used to walk dogs but my bad back won’t allow me to walk. I am handicapped. Would like to continue using the internet (very little use) it is my only source of entertainment. Without a reduction of monthly cost, I will have to give it up
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I am 79 and can’t find an Internet provider I can afford. To get assistance you have to be at or below the poverty level. After paying my monthly bills I have very little left for food. They always ask for annual salary income and not net income. My Federal taxes show after deductions that I have less than $9,000 to live on. But the government doesn’t count that. So what is a senior citizen supposed to do to get any help with any government assistance.
