Low-cost internet plans compared
Yes, there is help. Lifeline takes up to $9.25 a month off internet or phone service if you're on SNAP, Medicaid or have a lower income, and most big providers have low-cost plans, like Astound Internet First from $9.95, Xfinity Internet Essentials from $14.95, Spectrum Internet Assist, Access from AT&T and Verizon Forward. The old ACP program ended in 2024.
Provider low-cost plans
Each plan is for homes in that provider's service area. Prices and speeds are as the provider lists them.
| Plan | What you get | Who qualifies | How to apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xfinity Internet Essentials Xfinity call script | Low-cost Xfinity home internet: $14.95 a month for 75 Mbps, or $29.95 a month for 100 Mbps with Internet Essentials Plus. | Households in Xfinity areas on programmes such as the National School Lunch Program, housing assistance, Medicaid or SNAP, or with income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level, who have not had Xfinity Internet in the last 90 days and owe nothing on a recent Comcast account. | Apply online or call 1-844-389-4681. |
| Spectrum Internet Assist Spectrum call script | Low-cost Spectrum internet, 50 Mbps with a modem included: $25 a month, or $15 a month for households in the National School Lunch Program or getting SSI. It comes with a free Spectrum Mobile line for a year. | New customers (no Spectrum service in the past 30 days) on a qualifying government programme. New York has its own rules. | Check eligibility and apply online, or call 833-949-0036. |
| Access from AT&T AT&T call script | Low-cost AT&T home internet for eligible households. | Households on a qualifying programme (such as SNAP, NSLP, LIHEAP or public housing) or with income below 200% of the federal poverty guideline. | Apply online, or call 855-220-5211 (855-220-5225 in Spanish). New York residents apply at att.com/accessny. Eligible customers also get $10 a month off an unlimited AT&T wireless plan. |
| Verizon Forward Verizon call script | Up to $30 a month off Verizon Fios, 5G Home, LTE Home and Frontier Fiber internet, as low as $20 a month. Fios reaches $20 only together with Lifeline, and 5G Home only with a Verizon mobile plan. Frontier Fiber 200 is $20. | New or existing customers on programmes such as Lifeline, SNAP, Medicaid, WIC, SSI, a Pell Grant, Section 8 or a veterans pension, or with income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. | Apply on the Verizon Forward page. |
| Cox low-cost internet (Internet Assist) Cox call script | Internet Assist: up to 50 Mbps for $15 a month for qualifying customers, now shown on Cox's site under Spectrum branding. | Households in the National School Lunch Program (free or reduced lunch, or CEP) or getting Supplemental Security Income. | Enter your address on the page to check eligibility and apply. |
| Optimum Advantage Internet Optimum call script | A budget plan: up to 100 Mbps for $15 a month with autopay and paperless billing, installation and equipment included. | Customers who meet Optimum's eligibility criteria, which Optimum may waive. Check your address. | Check online or call 877-694-9474. |
| Astound Internet First Astound call script | Low-cost internet: $9.95 a month for 50 Mbps or $19.95 a month for 150 Mbps. | Households on programmes like the National School Lunch Program, housing assistance, Medicaid, SNAP, SSI or federal student aid, with no Astound service in the past 60 days. | Check your address and apply online. |
| Mediacom Xtream Connect Mediacom call script | Up to 100 Mbps for $29.99 a month, with the price locked for five years. | Qualifying Mediacom customers. Check the page for the current rules. | Apply online or call 877-851-7466. |
Works with any provider: Lifeline
Lifeline (federal)
A monthly discount of up to $9.25 on phone, internet or bundled service (up to $34.25 on qualifying Tribal lands).
Who qualifies: Households on programmes like SNAP or Medicaid, or with income under a set limit. In Oregon and Texas you apply through your state.
How to apply: Apply at lifelinesupport.org, or call (800) 234-9473.
Local help: 211
211 (United Way)
Free, confidential referrals to local help with bills, food, housing and more.
Who qualifies: Anyone.
How to apply: Call 211 or visit 211.org.
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) ended in 2024 and no longer gives new discounts. Lifeline and the providers' own low-cost plans are still available.
Official programmes are free to apply for. Nobody legitimate charges a fee to sign you up.
Quick answers
- What is the cheapest low-cost internet plan?
- Astound Internet First starts at $9.95 a month for households on programmes like SNAP or Medicaid, the cheapest verified plan here.
- Is the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) still available?
- The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) ended in 2024 and no longer gives new discounts. Lifeline and the providers' own low-cost plans are still available.
- How much does Lifeline take off an internet bill?
- A monthly discount of up to $9.25 on phone, internet or bundled service (up to $34.25 on qualifying Tribal lands).
- Does it cost anything to apply?
- Official programmes are free to apply for. Nobody legitimate charges a fee to sign you up.
Sources
- https://www.lifelinesupport.org/
- https://www.xfinity.com/learn/internet-service/internet-essentials
- https://www.spectrum.com/internet/spectrum-internet-assist
- https://www.att.com/internet/access/
- https://www.verizon.com/discounts/verizon-forward/
- https://www.cox.com/residential/internet/low-cost-internet-plans.html
- https://www.optimum.com/internet/advantage-internet
- https://www.astound.com/internetfirst/
- https://mediacomcable.com/xtream-connect
- https://www.211.org/
- Lower My Bill help data for internet
Ask Lower My Bill yourself
Tap Help paying for internet, or name your provider, to see the plans and how to apply. Open Lower My Bill, free, no sign-up.
In Claude or any app that takes MCP connectors, add https://goodturn-mcp.pages.dev/lowermybill/mcp and ask: “Does Xfinity have a low-cost internet plan?”