Where to find internet under $10 a month if you receive Social Security
If you get Social Security and need internet, several programs offer service for $10 or less per month. The main ones are Lifeline (a federal program run through your phone or internet provider), Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP, which ended new sign-ups in 2024 but existing customers keep service), and programs run by individual internet companies like Comcast, Verizon, and Charter. You do not go through Social Security to get these—you contact the provider directly or call 211 for a referral.
The catch is that each program has different income limits, different speeds, and different application steps. Lifeline is the most stable because it is permanent federal law, but it requires you to prove you are on a federal benefit program. ACP was temporary and is no longer taking new customers, though people already enrolled can keep their discount. Company-specific programs like Comcast Internet Essentials vary by location and change year to year.
Key Takeaways
- Lifeline offers $9.25 to $14.50 per month for internet or phone service if you receive Social Security, SSI, SNAP, or other federal benefits, and the program is permanent.
- You must contact your internet provider directly to enroll in Lifeline; Social Security does not process these applications.
- Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is no longer accepting new customers as of 2024, but people already enrolled keep their discount.
- Company programs like Comcast Internet Essentials, Verizon Fios Essentials, and Charter Spectrum Internet Assist exist in some areas and have their own income limits and application processes.
- You will need proof of your Social Security income, such as a benefit statement or award letter, to show you meet the income threshold.
How Lifeline works and what it costs
Lifeline is a federal subsidy that reduces your monthly internet or phone bill. The discount is $9.25 per month for broadband internet in most states, though some states offer up to $14.50. You pay the rest of your provider's bill out of pocket—so if your provider charges $40 a month, you pay about $30 to $31 after the Lifeline discount.
To use Lifeline, you must live in a household where someone receives Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), SNAP (food stamps), Medicaid, Veterans Pension, or certain other federal programs. You cannot have more than one Lifeline discount per household, even if multiple people in the home receive benefits. The income limit is roughly 135 percent of the federal poverty line, which for a single person is around $1,800 per month (this varies by state and year).
You enroll by calling your internet provider's customer service line and asking for Lifeline. Some providers have a dedicated Lifeline team; others route you to a regular representative. You will need to provide your name, address, and proof that someone in your household receives a may have access to benefit. A Social Security benefit statement, award letter, or recent deposit showing your benefit payment usually works.
Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP): what happened and who still has it
Affordable Connectivity Program was a temporary federal program that paid internet providers directly to reduce your bill to $30 per month or less. It ran from 2021 through 2024 and was open to households earning up to 200 percent of the federal poverty line—much higher than Lifeline. If you were already enrolled before the program closed in 2024, you keep your discount as long as you stay with the same provider.
ACP is no longer accepting new customers. If you did not enroll before the program ended, you cannot join now. If you were enrolled and your service was interrupted, contact your provider to see if you can restore it, but new applications are not being processed.
People who had ACP are now moving to Lifeline or to company-specific low-cost programs. If you had ACP and it ended, call your current provider and ask what low-cost options are available to you based on your income.
Company-run low-cost internet programs by provider
Several major internet providers offer their own low-cost plans for people on fixed incomes. These programs are separate from Lifeline and have different rules, speeds, and costs. They are not available everywhere, and may be able to access depends on your address and income.
| Provider | Program Name | Cost | Speed | How to Enroll |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Comcast | Internet Essentials | $9.95/month | 25 Mbps download | Call 1-855-846-4644 or visit internetessentials.com |
| Verizon | Fios Essentials | $15/month | 300 Mbps download | Call 1-844-839-0762 or visit verizon.com/fios-essentials |
| Charter Spectrum | Spectrum Internet Assist | $14.99/month | 30 Mbps download | Call 1-844-839-9106 or visit spectrum.com |
| AT&T | Access from AT&T | $10/month | 10 Mbps download | Call 1-844-839-0762 or visit att.com |
These programs require proof of income, usually a recent benefit statement or tax return. Income limits vary—some use 200 percent of the federal poverty line, others use 300 percent. Call the provider's number above to learn about service is available at your address and what documents you need to bring.
One important difference: company programs often include a free or discounted modem and sometimes free installation. Lifeline does not include equipment, so you may have to buy or rent a modem separately from your provider.
What documents you need to prove your income
When you apply for any low-cost internet program, you will need to show proof that your household income qualifies. For someone on Social Security, the easiest documents are:
- A Social Security benefit statement (the paper statement you get in the mail, or a printout from ssa.gov)
- Your most recent award letter from Social Security
- A recent bank deposit showing your monthly benefit payment
- A recent tax return if you file one
You do not need to provide all of these—one is usually enough. If you also receive other income (a pension, part-time work, rental income), you may need to show that too, because the program looks at total household income, not just Social Security. If you are unsure what counts as income for a specific program, call the provider before you apply.
Some programs let you upload documents online during the application. Others ask you to bring them in person or mail them. Lifeline applications are usually handled over the phone, so you may just need to read the numbers from your benefit statement aloud.
How to find out what is available in your area
Not all programs work everywhere. Comcast Internet Essentials is available in most urban and suburban areas but not in rural parts of every state. Verizon Fios Essentials only works where Verizon has fiber service. Charter Spectrum covers different regions. Lifeline works everywhere, but the discount amount and participating providers vary by state.
The fastest way to find out what you can get is to call 211 (a free referral service) and tell them your zip code and that you are on Social Security. They can tell you which programs operate in your area and help you start the process. You can also visit 211.org and enter your zip code to see a list of local programs.
If you already have an internet provider, call their customer service line and ask if they have a low-cost program for seniors or people on fixed income. They may offer something not listed here, or they may be able to tell you which other providers serve your address.
What to expect after you apply
For Lifeline, approval usually takes one to two weeks. Your provider will confirm your benefit status and then apply the discount to your next bill. You do not have to do anything else—the discount continues month to month as long as you stay with that provider and remain on a may have access to benefit.
For company programs like Comcast Internet Essentials, the process can take two to four weeks. They will verify your income and check whether service is available at your address. If you are approved, they will mail you a modem and schedule installation (or you may be able to pick up the modem at a local office). Installation is usually free for low-cost programs.
Once you are enrolled, your discount continues as long as you pay your bill on time and remain income-may have access to. Most programs do not require you to reapply every year, but some ask you to recertify your income every 12 months. The provider will send you a notice if recertification is needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Lifeline if I am on both Social Security and SSI?
Yes. Lifeline requires that someone in your household receive at least one may have access to benefit. Social Security, SSI, SNAP, Medicaid, and Veterans Pension all count. You do not need to be on multiple programs—one is enough to may have access to.
What if my internet provider does not offer Lifeline?
Most major providers participate in Lifeline, but not all do. If your provider does not, you have two options: switch to a provider that does offer Lifeline (if another provider serves your address), or look into company-specific low-cost programs. Call 211 to find out which providers in your area participate in Lifeline.
Do I have to use the modem the provider gives me, or can I buy my own?
Most low-cost programs let you use your own modem if you already have one that works with their network. Ask your provider before you buy one, because some require a specific type. Lifeline does not include a modem, so you will need to buy or rent one separately.
What happens to my Lifeline discount if I move?
Your Lifeline discount stays with you, but only if your new address is served by a provider that participates in Lifeline. Call your current provider to ask if they serve your new address. If they do not, you will need to switch to a provider that does and reapply for Lifeline with them.
Can I get both Lifeline and a company low-cost program at the same time?
No. You can only have one low-cost internet discount per household. If you are enrolled in Lifeline, you cannot also use Comcast Internet Essentials or another company program. Choose the one that gives you the best speed and price for your needs.