Senior Discounts for Internet Service in California

The internet is a vast library of information and a means to connect with loved ones, but high costs can be a barrier. This blog post will guide you through affordable internet options for seniors. We’ll cover discounted plans, special programs, and ways to make internet service more affordable.

Key Takeaways

• Seniors can access low-cost internet through the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).
• Internet service providers (ISP) like Xfinity, Cox, AT&T, and Spectrum offer special discounts for seniors through the ACP.
• The FCC Lifeline Program offers a separate application process for qualifying seniors to obtain cheaper internet.

Do Internet Service Providers Offer Senior Discounts?

Senior discounts are standard in places like movie theaters and restaurants. However, the availability of senior discounts for high-speed internet service depends on your location and the specific provider. Even if there isn’t a designated “senior discount,” there are still discount programs to save on your home internet.

Many providers offer internet connection plans designed for low-income households, which can include seniors on fixed incomes needing reduced monthly bills.

Affordable Connectivity Program (California)

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a valuable initiative that offers monthly discounts on internet services for seniors in California. It aims to make online connectivity more accessible and affordable for individuals and households. You qualify with the following criteria:

• Enrolled in government programs like Medicaid, SNAP, WIC, SSI, or others
• Based on household income (up to 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines)

By meeting these criteria, seniors and older adults can save up to $30 monthly on their internet bills through the ACP (or free if under $30). What’s nice is you can put it toward the best internet options and broadband service if you qualify. Of course, you can aim for efficiency over optimum and go for affordable (or free) internet. Overall, the ACP aims to ensure affordable internet access and Wi-Fi for seniors, promoting digital inclusion and bridging the digital divide. 

Additionally, this program includes help with phone services, which you can use to reduce cell phone bills with companies like Verizon and other phone and internet companies.

Discounted Internet Plans for Seniors

This section covers popular Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and their discounted rates through the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), offering affordable internet options tailored to seniors. Pick the one that best suits your needs and budget.

Xfinity

Comcast Xfinity offers internet plans eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) discount. Here are the options:

• Internet Essentials: Get up to 50 Mbps, FREE, with free equipment, no credit check, and no term contract. Perfect for working and learning from home, streaming movies and shows, uploading photos, and more.
• Internet Essentials Plus: Get up to 100 Mbps, FREE, with free equipment, no credit check, and no term contract. Enjoy fast speeds to stream on all your devices simultaneously.

These options provide eligible seniors with affordable and reliable internet access through Xfinity’s Internet Essentials program in partnership with the ACP.

Cox

Cox Internet offers a range of ACP-eligible plans with different speeds and prices:

• Go Fast plan: Download speeds of 100 Mbps and upload speeds of 3 Mbps. Usually $49.99/month, eligible households pay $19.99/month with the ACP discount.
• StraightUp Internet plan: Download speeds of 100 Mbps and upload speeds of 3 Mbps. The monthly cost of $50 reduces to $20/month with the ACP discount.
• Go Even Faster plan: Download speeds of 250 Mbps and upload speeds of 10 Mbps. The regular price is $59.99/month. Eligible households pay $29.99/month with the ACP discount.
• Internet Ultimate 500 plan: Download speeds of 500 Mbps and upload speeds of 10 Mbps. The regular price is $79.99/month. Eligible households pay $49.99/month with the ACP discount.

These options provide affordable and reliable internet service through Cox, ensuring eligible households can save significantly with the ACP discount.

AT&T Internet

AT&T offers ACP-eligible internet plans with various speeds:

• Internet 100 plan: Download speeds of 100 Mbps (DSL-hybrid connection). The regular price is $55.00/month; eligible households pay $25.00/month with the ACP discount.
• Internet 300 plan: Download speeds of 300 Mbps (fiber connection). The regular price is $55.00/month. Eligible households pay $25.00/month with the ACP discount.
• Internet 500 plan: Download speeds of 500 Mbps (fiber connection). The regular price is $65.00/month. Eligible households pay $35.00/month with the ACP discount.
• 1 Gig Internet plan: Download speeds of 1,000 Mbps (fiber connection). The regular price is $80.00/month. Eligible households pay $50.00/month with the ACP discount.

These plans ensure eligible households can access reliable and high-speed internet service with AT&T access at discounted prices through the ACP.

Frontier

Frontier Internet has ACP-compatible plans with different speeds and prices:

• Frontier Essentials Internet plan: Basic connectivity. Eligible households pay $0/month with the ACP discount, down from the regular price of $29.99.
• Frontier Fiber 100 plan: Suitable for light to moderate usage. Eligible households can enjoy this plan at no cost with the ACP discount, down from $29.99.
• Fiber 500 plan: Faster speeds for more intensive internet usage. The price was reduced to $19.99/month with the ACP discount, down from the usual $49.99.

Frontier also offers higher-speed plans (Fiber 1 Gig, Fiber 2 Gig, Fiber 5 Gig), but most seniors will likely find the first three options sufficient for their needs.

Spectrum

Spectrum offers ACP-eligible internet plans (called Spectrum Internet Assist) with different speeds and prices:

1. Spectrum Internet plan: Starting at $49.99/month, you get download speeds up to 300 Mbps and upload speeds of 10 Mbps. After the ACP discount, eligible households pay $19.99/month.
2. Spectrum Internet Ultra plan: Starting at $69.99/month, it offers download speeds of up to 500 Mbps and upload speeds of 20 Mbps. After the ACP discount, eligible households pay $39.99/month.
3. Spectrum Internet Gig plan: Starting at $89.99/month, it provides download speeds of up to 1,000 Mbps and upload speeds of 35 Mbps. With the ACP discount, eligible households pay $59.99/month.

FCC Lifeline Program

Another option for affordable internet services is the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) Lifeline Program. It is government assistance designed to make telephone and broadband internet services accessible and affordable for low-income families and individuals. 

Here’s what you need to know:

• Monthly discounts: Eligible participants can receive a monthly discount of up to $9.25. Or up to $34.25 on Tribal lands.
• Service coverage: The program covers telephone services, broadband internet services, or bundled voice-broadband packages from participating providers.
• Availability: The Lifeline Program is available in all states, commonwealths, territories, and Tribal lands.

To qualify for the Lifeline Program, you must meet one of the following criteria:

• Income eligibility: Your income should be at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
• Federal assistance programs: You can also qualify by participating in specific federal assistance programs such as SNAP, Medicaid, Federal Public Housing Assistance, Supplemental Security Income, the Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit, or specific Tribal Programs.

You must complete a separate application process to access discounted internet services through the Lifeline Program. The discounts are provided directly by the program, not the internet providers.