It hurts me to say this, but despite being one of the most economically strong countries in the world, a lot of our people don’t have access to facilities that most of us take for granted, such as the internet.
This digital divide is fueled by a lot of factors, from systemic inequalities to low incomes. On the bright side, many government organizations and internet providers are working to change that.
How? By launching programs that help low-income families access cheap internet plans. In this article, I’ll share some of the most popular programs playing a role in bridging the digital divide.
Lifeline Program
This is a federal program launched by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in 1985. The program offers low-income households a monthly discount on phone and internet services. These discounts can range from up to $9.25 for phone and internet, and up to $34.25 if you’re living in a tribal area.
Your eligibility is assessed based on two factors: your income and whether you participate in other government benefit programs. If you’re receiving benefits from programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Medicaid, or other programs, you’re automatically eligible.
Even if you’re not receiving benefits from government programs, you can apply to Lifeline if your income is at or 135% less than the Federal Poverty Guidelines. To apply, you can either visit www.lifelinesupport.org, check with your phone or internet provider, visit your state website, or mail your application.
I should mention that only one person per household can receive the benefits once an application qualifies.
The problem is that currently, the Lifeline program is the only government-funded connectivity program directly helping low-income households all around the nation.
Other programs, such as the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and the Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF), have sadly ended, and some, like the Universal Service for High Cost Areas, Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program, and the California Lifeline program, are area-specific.
That’s where internet providers come into play.
Many major providers, such as Xfinity and Cox, have launched programs for low-income households. I’m now going to dive into some of these programs. I’ve shared 3 of the ones I felt can help you balance decent speed with affordability.
Xfinity Internet Essentials and Internet Essentials Plus
Xfinity is an internet provider currently available across 41 American states, and helps low-income households with two plans, the Internet Essentials and the Internet Essentials Plus. Let me break down both of them for you.
- Internet Essentials: This plan can allow you speeds of up to 75 Mbps.
- Internet Essentials Plus: This levels up on Internet Essentials by offering speeds up to 100 Mbps.
Your eligibility for both these programs depends on whether you meet the following criteria:
- You have no pending Comcast balance on an account that’s less than a year old.
- You’re either not currently using Xfinity Internet or haven’t used it for the past 90 days.
- You’re receiving benefits from assistance programs such as the National School Lunch Program, Medicaid, or SNAP, to name a few.
You can apply for either plan through the Xfinity website. However, availability will depend on whether Xfinity offers services in your area.
Spectrum Internet Assist
Spectrum is another major internet provider, also currently available in 41 states, that’s making life easier for low-income families through their Spectrum Internet Assist plan.
The plan allows you the following benefits for $25 a month:
- In-home Wi-Fi
- Speeds up to 50 Mbps.
- Modem and Security Suite
- No contracts and data caps
- Unlimited Mobile line for a year
The eligibility criteria are pretty smooth with this one, since you only need to have one household member who’s participating in any one of the following support programs:
- Community Eligibility Provision (CEP)
- National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI) of any form
You can apply for this through the Spectrum website.
Cox Connect2Compete
While Cox is much more limited in availability, offering services in 18 states, their Connect2Compete plan offers low-income households a decent deal between speed and affordability. Despite being created for students, the plan can still support entire families with features such as:
- Wi-Fi Modem
- Speeds up to 100 Mbps
- Extremely low cost of less than $10 a month.
To become eligible for this plan, you need to have at least one K12 student in your home and be participating in one of the following government assistance programs:
- Head Start
- Public Housing
- National School Lunch Program
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
- Women, Infants, and Children Program (WIC)
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
- Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Like the others, you can apply for this one through the provider’s website.
Governments and Internet Providers – Fighting the Battle Against Digital Divide
The digital divide continues to impact low-income households, minorities, and rural residents, preventing them from having a fair shot at education, remote work, or entrepreneurship.
Government and internet provider programs like those shared above can help gradually overcome this dilemma, creating an America where everyone can pursue their dreams.
