Low-income families face the same issues the luckier among us do when it comes to getting broadband: few options and fewer still that are affordable. Comcast, though simultaneously the source of many of these issues, has a good program for anyone facing financial hardship, and several new groups now qualify for $10 connectivity.
The “Internet Essentials” program has offered cheap internet to the economically disadvantaged and other groups who need a helping hand, for several years now. It’s connected some two million households so far and may connect plenty more under the new, expanded eligibility options the company just announced. Essentially if you’re the beneficiary of any of a bunch of financial aid programs from the government, or are disabled, or a low income household, you’re eligible. You can apply here for free. Previously you were eligible under a dozen or so of those programs, but today Comcast announced that the following groups are newly able to take advantage of the program:- Persons with disabilities
- Seniors on Medicaid
- All low-income adults (defined as 38 percent above the poverty line in your area)
- Medicaid
- National School Lunch Program (NSLP, free and reduced price lunch)
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP or food stamps)
- HUD housing assistance and Section 8
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (welfare)
- Supplemental Security Income (social security)
- Head Start or Early Head Start
- Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
- Tribal assistance (TTANF and FDPIR)
- Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
- VA pension