If money is tight, there are cheaper ways to get online.
Lifeline is a federal program that gives a discount of up to $9.25 a month on phone or internet service (more on Tribal lands). Only one Lifeline discount per household.
You may qualify if your household income is at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines, or if someone in the household gets programs like SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, federal housing assistance or the Veterans Pension.
Apply through the program's National Verifier, or ask a phone or internet company that offers Lifeline to help you apply.
You must recertify every year or the discount stops.
The bigger federal discount program, the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), ended in 2024. Websites that still advertise it are out of date.
Some benefits can matter for immigration "public charge" rules. Lifeline is a telephone and internet discount; if you have questions about benefits and your visa or green card case, check before you apply.
Providers' own low-income plans
Many large internet companies have their own low-cost plans, often around $10 to $30 a month for basic speeds, for families in school lunch programs, SNAP, Medicaid or other programs. Search "[provider name] low income internet" or call and ask. Rules and prices differ by company.
Public libraries: free Wi-Fi and computers with a free library card. Many libraries also lend Wi-Fi hotspots (small devices that make Wi-Fi from the cell network) for a few weeks at a time, like a book. Ask at the front desk; there is often a waiting list.
Schools and colleges: students often have free campus Wi-Fi, and some school districts lend hotspots to families.
Cafés, fast food places, malls and some parks and buses have free Wi-Fi.
Stay safe on public Wi-Fi
Use websites that start with https and the bank's own app.
Do not let your phone join open networks automatically.
A network named "Free Library WiFi" may be fake. Ask staff for the real name.
Paying a website to "apply" for Lifeline. Applying is free.
Signing up for two Lifeline services in one household. Only one is allowed.