Now who would not want to get free government Internet services? The Internet is one of the essential things today. But at the same time, it is also quite expensive and not everyone is able to afford it. This is where the government comes to help those in need by offering free internet with food stamps for low-income families.
If you are from a low-income family, then you might be aware of various government assistance programs like SNAP, EBT, TANF, Medicaid, etc. The government also runs programs that offer free internet services and mobile plans like the Affordable Connectivity Program and Lifeline Program.
But did you know that you can easily get free internet services and even devices such as smartphones, laptops, computers, etc. just by being a participant in any of the government benefits programs? Yes, you read that right.
If you are a participant in the SNAP food stamps program, then you automatically become eligible for Affordable Connectivity Program and the Lifeline program.
Thus, you can easily get free internet services with food stamps from the government for low-income families and needy people. So if you want to know how to get free internet with food stamps for low income families, then keep reading the article below.
Can I Get Free Internet with Food Stamps?
YES. You will be surprised to know that you can actually get free government internet with Food Stamps for low-income families and eligible households. Food Stamp or EBT is a program that offers assistance with food to low-income eligible families. Whereas, Affordable Connectivity Program offers assistance with internet and digital resources. Those people who are already a participant in the Food Stamps Program, automatically become eligible for ACP and Lifeline programs through which they can get free internet from the government.
How To Get Free Internet With Food Stamps
To get free internet with food stamps, all you have to do is apply for the ACP or lifeline program through the official website of the FCC or any of the participating network service providers. For eligibility, you have to submit any Official Document that proves your participation in government assistance programs like SNAP food stamps.
Once it is proven that you are a recipient of the SNAP food stamps, you can easily get free internet with food stamps via the Affordable Connectivity Program or Lifeline program. Read the article further to get more information about the same.
You might also find it useful: How to get free internet at home without paying?
Affordable Connectivity Program
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a government assistance program run by the FCC that helps low-income families and needy people get access to telecommunication services such as the internet, monthly cell phone service plans that include text and talk time, affordable smartphones, laptops, tablets, computers, etc.
The ACP provides eligible households with a discount on broadband service and connected devices. Through the ACP program, low-income eligible households can get reduced or free internet from the government.
The program provides a monthly discount on internet service of up to $30 per eligible household (or up to $75 per eligible household in some cases). This can save eligible households around $9.25 to $29.25 monthly on their internet bills.
You can get more information on HOW TO GET FREE GOVERNMENT INTERNET WITH FOOD STAMPS with the help of the detailed article linked here.
Lifeline
The Lifeline assistance program was introduced by the government in 1985 to help low-income families get access to Information and Communication Technology. The program provides free high-speed internet data along with other needs, such as free talk and text messages, to eligible low-income households.
The Lifeline program was established by the FCC to make communication services more affordable for low-income Americans. Low-income people who are below or at 135% of the poverty guidelines or participating in any of the government assistance programs such as Medicaid, SNAP, Social Security Income, etc., are eligible to apply for the Lifeline-free internet program.
The program is also available to those who qualify for the food stamps EBT program. Thus, those people who are participating in programs like SNAP can get free internet from government with Food stamps.
Eligibility to get Free Internet With Food Stamps
To be eligible to receive free internet with food stamps from the government, all you need to do is be a participant of any of the government assistance programs such as the Supplementary Nutrition Assistance Program – SNAP Food Stamps.
You can also be eligible to get free internet with other government benefits programs like Medicaid, TANF, SSI, NSLP, etc.
Companies that provide Free Government Internet with Food Stamps
Given below is a list of all the companies that provide free internet services with food stamps for low-income eligible households. Make sure that you check all the below internet service providers and choose the one that offers services in your area.
AT&T
AT&T is one of the famous and reliable network service providers that participate in the affordable connectivity program to provide low-cost or free internet services with food stamps to low-income families and needy individuals.
In order to get free internet with food stamps from AT&T, you will have to first apply for the affordable connectivity program. Now if you have food stamps, which means you are already a participant in the SNAP program, you will automatically become eligible for ACP.
So all you have to do then is, apply for the ACP program and then sign up for Access from AT&T. You can either visit their official website or call them at 866.986.0963 to get further information.
Access from AT&T offers you free Internet installation and in-home Wi-Fi. there are no annual contracts or hidden charges levied by this service provider. You also get unlimited data with no deposit requirements as such.
After your approval for ACP and AT&T, you will be able to get free internet plans up to 100 Mbps which is ideal for streaming videos, playing games online, sharing files, and so on. They offer multiple plans from which you can choose any depending on the availability of that plan in your area.
Xfinity Wireless
You can easily get free government internet service Xfinity Wireless. Xfinity Mobile is one of the best and most reliable 5G networks nationwide. You can save up to $30 per month towards Internet and Mobile services with ACP and Xfinity.
All you have to do is Go to the official website of Xfinity and select your preferred internet plan. Then check if you are eligible for ACP. If you have food stamps and you are a participant in the SNAP program, then you automatically become eligible for ACP.
Complete your enrollment in ACP through Xfinity on their official website itself. After enrolling, you will come across a monthly credit on your second bill. This credit will be applied to the internet first, then to your mobile service.
Talking about the eligibility criteria in general, your entire household income must be at or below twice the federal poverty level.
But if you are a participant in any of the government benefits programs, then you become eligible for free internet Xfinity automatically.
Altice
In response to the Covid-19 Pandemic, Altice has joined other well-known ISPs in helping low-income families get access to internet services during such difficult times. The network provider offers Free Broadband to K-12 and College Students During Coronavirus Pandemic.
They also have many low-cost internet plans that start at as low as $14.95 per month. They offer free modems and smart routers to eligible households.
This Network service provider also collaborates with the National School Lunch program. So if you are a recipient of this program, then you can get free internet as well.
Being a participant in the SNAP program, you can get free internet with food stamps. If you are a senior citizen above or at the age of 65 years, then you can avail the benefits of their program too.
Comcast Internet essentials
Comcast $9.95 Internet for Low-Income Families is one of the most popular Internet plans out there. Comcast in collaboration with Federal assistance programs like the Affordable Connectivity Program and Lifeline offers free internet to families with low income.
During the Covid-19 Pandemic, Comcast offered $50 per month off on internet or wireless bills for eligible households. Their Comcast Internet Essentials plan includes a cable modem, 100 Mbps download speeds, and a WiFi router for $29.95 each month.
The eligible households can sign up for one of the programs offered by Comcast along with ACP to get internet for free with food stamps. You can even get unlimited mobile plans with regular Internet Essentials for $24.95 per month.
T-Mobile
T-Mobile is one of the most trustworthy network providers in the US that offers great coverage all across the country.
They are one of the participants of the ACP and Lifeline program and have been offering internet and mobile services to low-income families for a very long time now.
Recently they have started their Project 10Million through which they are offering internet services, free hotspots with 100GBs of mobile data, access to at-cost laptops and tablets, and much more to over 10 million eligible households that have k-12 students.
They intend to run this program for 5 years and enrollment for this program is open through August 30, 2024. In order to be eligible for Project 10 Million, one must be a participant in any of the government assistance programs such as SNAP (food stamps), EBT, NSLP, TANF, etc.
NextLink
With NextLink free internet, eligible households can get up to $30 off on their Internet service each month. All you have to do is go to the official website of NextLink and enroll in ACP.
This is one of the few internet service providers from whom you can get free internet or discounted services as well as phones.
In order to be eligible for their free internet services, all you have to do is ensure that you are eligible for ACP or Lifeline programs.
Mediacom Connect2Compete
Mediacom Connect2Compete is one of the most popular programs that was launched by Mediacom Communications. For those of you who do not know, this service provider is one of the largest cable and broadband service providers in the US.
Their objective is to provide internet access to low-income families, especially the ones with school-aged children.
This company realizes that many low-income families cannot afford internet services and does have to face the digital divide.
Hence, with their Connect2Compete program, media com offers internet services for as low as just $9.95 per month to eligible households.
Through this program, families can also get a free modem for rental and access to low-cost computers. They are also known to offer digital skills training programs to do in need.
If you are a participant of the SNAP program, then you will be able to get free internet with food stamps from Mediacom Connect2Compete Program.
Eagle Communications
Eagle Communications is another popular telecommunications company that participates in ACP and Lifeline to give free internet with food stamps to low-income families. It offers internet, phone, and TV services in various communities throughout Kansas, Colorado, and Nebraska.
The company has partnered with the federal government to provide affordable internet service to families who receive food stamps. Under the program, eligible families can get internet service for as low as $10 per month from Eagle Communications.
The program is part of the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Lifeline and ACP program, which aims to make telecommunications services more affordable for low-income families.
Those low-income families who participate in the program also receive a free modem and free installation. The program is available to families who receive food stamps (SNAP) and live in an area where Eagle Communications provides its service.
Spectrum Internet Assist
Spectrum Internet AssistIs a well-known program that is offered by Spectrum Telecommunications company to offer affordable Internet and telephone services to low-income people in the US.
The internet assist program by Spectrum offers high-speed and reliable Internet services at a very affordable price for eligible households. One can easily get free internet with food stamps Spectrum by applying through their official website.
All one needs to ensure is that any of the members of their household is a recipient of any of the government assistants programs such as SNAP Food stamps, NSLP, SSI, and so on.
You can go to the official website of spectrum internet assist and fill in the online application form. Just make sure to attach photocopies of your documents for verification purposes. You will not be charged any hidden fees from Spectrum for their services.
Cox Connect2CompeteLast but not least, Cox Connect2Compete is a program by Cox Telecommunications that provides low-cost home internet service for qualifying residential families with K-12 children who participate in an eligible government assistance program.
The eligible programs include the National School Lunch Program NSLP, SNAP, TANF, Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC), Head Start, those who receive Tenant-Based Vouchers, Project-Based Vouchers or Section 8 Project-Based Rental Assistance (PBRA), and/or who live in certain Public Housing programs.
Through this program, you can get high-speed internet service with speeds up to 100 Mbps at an affordable price of $9.95 per month, a 1.25 TB (1280 GB) monthly data plan with no data overage charges, easy access to over 4M wifi hotspots.
The eligible families can also get a free Wi-Fi modem and free installation, making it easier for them to get started with their internet service.
Non-Profit Organizations that offer free Internet with Food Stamps
Given below is a list of all the non-profit organizations that offer free internet with food stamps for low-income and needy people. You can visit the official website of any of these NGOs to get more information on how to get free internet service from them.
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The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is a leading humanitarian organization that is dedicated to helping low-income families and needy people across the globe. The organization was founded in 1865 by William Booth and aims to provide basic needs such as food, clothing, shelter, education, and more to under-developed communities and needy people.
This organization is active in virtually every corner of the world and serves 133 countries, offering required assistance to needy families. In addition to providing basic needs, the Salvation Army also offers other services such as free internet for low-income families or at low cost.
Salvation Army is one of the very few non-profit organizations that give free internet with food stamps. Since there are a lot of needy people who seek assistance from this organization, they generally help only needy low-income families.
Those who have SNAP EBT food stamps are given preference since they are below the poverty line and already have proven their eligibility for government assistance programs.
In order to get more information about how they can help low-income families get free internet with food stamps, one can visit the official website of the organization or their nearby office.
Website: https://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/
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PCs for People
PCS for People is a non-profit organization that was founded in 1998 with a mission to make digital equity a reality. They have distributed over 190,000 computers to people in need and offer good-quality tablets, laptops, and desktops to low-income families.
They also provide free internet connectivity and accept donations of used computers and laptops, which they refurbish and provide to needy families. PCS for People has received donations from corporates and individual donors and has provided internet services to around 77,000 low-income households.
They have over 9 physical locations in the US and are available online across the states. Their mission is to provide a bridge across the digital divide that offers employment and educational opportunities to low-income individuals
They do accept SNAP Food stamps to decide the eligibility to give free internet for low-income families. You can visit the below mentioned official website of this organization to get more information.
Website: https://www.pcsforpeople.org/
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Human-I-T
Human-I-T is a non-profit organization that focuses on empowering people with digital tools and resources while reducing e-waste. They refurbish donated technology to provide low-income individuals and nonprofits with devices, internet, and digital training.
They also accept e-waste donations and divert them away from landfills to provide usable computers to people who need them. Human-I-T is committed to bridging the digital divide and creating equitable access to opportunity. Human-I-T is a social enterprise that creates community value in every part of their program
They collaborate with the Affordable Connectivity Program to provide free internet plans and high-speed internet at a low cost to eligible households. Thus, anyone who is a participant of the SNAP Food stamps can apply for ACP and get free internet with food stamps from Human-I-T
Website: https://www.human-i-t.org/
Frequently Asked Questions
Given below are some of the most commonly asked questions regarding how to get free internet with food stamps. We suggest you go through these questions to get more ideas about free government internet with food stamps.
Is there really a way to get free internet?
Yes. There are not one but many ways to get free internet for low-income families. The government runs various assistance programs for the benefit of its citizens. some of these programs are the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and the Lifeline program.
Through these programs, eligible households can get free internet services and even free or discounted telecommunication plans along with free laptops or computers. Not just that but even many non-profit organizations come forward to help low-income and needy people to get a free internet connection.
Can I get free Internet and a laptop?
Yes, you can get free internet as well as a laptop from the government with the help of the Affordable Connectivity Program. If you meet the eligibility criteria, or if you have food stamps, then you can apply for ACP and get benefits such as discounted or free internet and free devices such as laptops, computers, tablets, smartphones, etc.
Does the government pay for the internet?
Yes. The US government does pay for internet services for low-income families. They do so indirectly through the Affordable Connectivity Program ACP. Through this program, low-income eligible households can get free or discounted internet services and telecommunication plans.
Generally, you are required to pay a very minimal amount to get internet services through ACP from reliable and popular network service providers such as – AT&T, Cox, Xfinity, etc.
Another assistance program that the government runs in collaboration with various network service providers to offer free or discounted internet services to low-income families is the Lifeline program. Anybody who is a participant in other government benefits programs such as SNAP automatically becomes eligible to get free internet from the government.
Where can I get Internet at $10?
You will find multiple options out there that provide internet services at $10 or less than that per month. some of the most well-known and reliable network service providers such as Mediacom, Comcast, Cox, AT&T, Xfinity, etc. have low-income internet plans that range up to $10 per month. You can go to the official website of all of these service providers and compare the plans to get the best deal for yourself.
Is NetZero still free?
Since its establishment in the year 1998, NetZero has been one of the first companies to offer free internet services. It is one of the most famous all-time free dial-up internet services that offers 200 MB of free internet data each month.
On their official website, you will find that their objective is to provide free internet access to everyone irrespective of their social status. However, it is quite unclear if NetZero still offers free internet access beyond certain limitations of their plans.
Concluding Thoughts
That was all about how to get free internet with food stamps. We hope that you have all found the above article of use and could easily understand the different ways to get free internet with food stamps EBT.
As you might have understood with the help of the above article, there are many companies and non-profit organizations that offer free internet services with food stamps for low-income families.
AT&T, T-Mobile, NextLink, Mediacom Connect2Compete, and Eagle Communications are some of the Network service providers that offer free internet from the government with food stamps. Non-profit entities like the Salvation Army, PCs for people, etc. provide free internet with Food Stamps to needy people.
Since food stamps are given to only those people who are eligible for government assistance programs like SNAP, such people are generally below the poverty line and so eligible for many benefits from the government, one of which is free internet through the ACP program.
Thus, one of the eligibility criteria for ACP is being a participant in the SNAP program. And so whoever has food stamps can get free internet services from the government. If you have found the article useful, make sure to share it with your friends and family.
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