The short answer: if you get SNAP, Medicaid, SSI or another government benefit, ask your internet company about its low-cost plan. These plans cost about $15 to $30 a month and are fast enough for email, video calls and streaming. You may also qualify for the federal Lifeline discount of up to $9.25 a month (FCC). The old Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is gone: it stopped on June 1, 2024 (FCC).
Low-cost plans from the big providers
Prices and rules change, so confirm with the provider before you sign up. These are from each company’s own page as of October 2026:
| Plan | Price | Speed | Who qualifies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xfinity Internet Essentials | $14.95/month, or $29.95 for the faster tier | Up to 75 Mbps, or up to 100 Mbps | Households in programs like SNAP, Medicaid, housing assistance or school lunch. You can’t have had Xfinity Internet in the last 90 days. |
| Spectrum Internet Assist | $25/month (some households $15) | Up to 50 Mbps | Households in programs including SSI and the school lunch program. Free modem, no contract, no data caps. |
| AT&T Access | Depends on your address | Depends on your address | Based on income or a qualifying government program. Call 855.220.5211 for your price. |
Not sure which companies serve your home? Enter your address on the FCC’s National Broadband Map (FCC).
The Lifeline discount
Lifeline is a federal program that takes up to $9.25 a month off a phone or internet bill. You can qualify through SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, Federal Public Housing Assistance, the Veterans Pension benefit, or your income (FCC). Apply through the FCC’s Lifeline page, then pick a company that takes part.
Ways to lower the bill you already have
- Check your speed against your plan. Most homes with one or two people are comfortable on far less than the fastest plan. See What Internet Speed Do Seniors Really Need? to work out your number.
- Look at the bill line by line. Ask what each fee is for, especially monthly equipment rental and any “promotional” price that’s about to end.
- Call and ask. Say you’re reviewing your budget and ask whether there’s a cheaper plan or current offer for your address. If you get a benefit like SNAP or SSI, ask about the low-cost plan by name.
- Get offers in writing before you agree, including the price after any promotion ends.
- Be careful with “too good to be true” callers. If someone calls offering a cheaper internet deal, hang up and call the provider on the number on your bill.
