A Quick Guide To Finding Free Internet For Low-Income Families, Students, And Seniors

The Internet used to be seen as a form of entertainment that was primarily used by younger generations. Now, it’s a tool people of all ages and backgrounds are using daily for things way beyond entertainment.

Young kids now need the Internet for virtual learning and to complete homework assignments. Parents need the Internet to work from home or do online side gigs. And seniors use the Internet for telehealth appointments and to shop online.

What can keep someone from gaining the Internet access they need to complete daily tasks? A limited budget, which is why we’ll discuss ways to find free or affordable Internet so you can overcome that obstacle.

Getting Free Internet Due to the Pandemic

The Internet has become essential as ever due to the coronavirus. It forced students to shift their learning entirely online, and many employees had to convert their homes into offices to work remotely. Online shopping for groceries became popular, as people chose to avoid crowds and get their necessities delivered. And the Internet also gave everyone a way to see their loved ones via video chat, as social distancing prevented in-person get-togethers.

Seeing how the Internet became so essential, the FCC decided to make it more accessible through the Emergency Broadband Benefit. Announced near the end of February, the program promises a monthly benefit of up to $75 towards your Internet bill if you qualify. If you don’t pay that much for Internet at the moment, this means you could get free online access once this program goes live.

Besides offering free Internet, the Emergency Broadband Benefit also promises to make computers more affordable. It does this by providing $100 towards purchasing a desktop computer, laptop, or tablet.

To learn more about this new program from the FCC and see if you qualify, go here.

Free Internet for Students

As mentioned, students of all ages started taking online classes due to COVID-19, making home Internet service a must. Although it may not be free in some cases, theConnect2Compete program can offer affordable Internet to households with students through Cox or Mediacom.

Discounted Internet for Seniors

If seniors didn’t use the Internet much before the pandemic, they now do for telemedicine, online deliveries, keeping in touch with loved ones, and more. FCC’s Lifeline program offers a monthly discount of $9.25 on Internet service, which seniors can get based on income or if they receive veterans pensions or survivors benefits.

Finding Affordable Internet Near You

If you want to start exploring your options to see how much you’ll pay for Internet if you can’t get it for free, click here. The EveryoneOn tool will show you affordable Internet offers within seconds by simply entering your zip code and entering a few more details.