How To Get Low-Income Internet Through Spectrum

Spectrum offers a discounted rate to new customers for 12 to 24 months, depending on the plan. Once the promotional period ends, that $50 plan you signed up for costs $25 more per month, which can be a real eye-opener if you added services like Spectrum TV and Spectrum Mobile when you signed up.

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) helped reduce the overall cost, but now the program is closed, and the benefits have stopped. Current customers on a super-tight budget may be searching for more affordable options.

Spectrum offers two low-cost plans under its Internet Assist umbrella, but households must meet specific criteria to qualify. We’ll explain what you need to get one of these affordable plans and how to apply for Lifeline, the ACP alternative.

First, here’s what happened at Spectrum when the ACP ended

April 2024 was the last fully funded month for the ACP. Pre-existing Spectrum customers who enrolled in the ACP received a partial credit of $15 on their May statement—or $35 on Tribal lands.

New customers who signed up through the ACP and elected to keep their service also received these credits. Those who didn’t choose to keep their service saw their Spectrum Internet service disconnected in May.

Starting in June, Spectrum customers will not receive ACP-specific benefits. But don’t worry: Discounts associated with new internet service will still apply until the end of the promotional period (12 or 24 months).

Spectrum customers who cannot afford the standard rate can apply for assistance through the Lifeline program to help lower their monthly costs. They can also submit an online application to get one of two plans for a low monthly rate through the Spectrum Internet Assist program.

What is the Spectrum Internet Assist program?

The Spectrum Internet Assist program isn’t something that sprung up in the wake of the ACP’s demise. It’s been around since 2016, offering a cable internet plan with 50Mbps download speed for a digestible price of $24.99 per month. It’s the only Spectrum plan we know of that doesn’t increase in price after 12 or 24 months, but you must meet certain criteria and upload documents to be eligible—we’ll talk about that momentarily.

And like any other Spectrum internet plan, the equipment doesn’t cost a thing, whether it’s a modem or gateway. However, WiFi Service costs an extra $5 per month for Internet Assist customers. This fee applies to the Wi-Fi component in the gateway or any router supplied by Spectrum. There is no charge if you use a router purchased through a retailer.

Spectrum launched a second plan in April 2022, offering 100Mbps in download speed. The caveat is that the price increases after 12 months, plus the WiFi Service fee is slightly higher at $7 per month. As with the 50Mbps plan, your household must meet specific criteria to qualify.

Who qualifies for the Spectrum Internet Assist program?

To qualify for the Spectrum Internet Assist program, a member of your household must be the recipient of at least one of three specific government-funded programs. Here are the programs that do and do not qualify for Spectrum Internet Assist:

How do you apply for the Spectrum Internet Assist program?

To apply online, have a copy of the paperwork that verifies your eligibility. This includes documents such as proof of income or participation in a government-funded program. Have these documents ready in JPEG or PDF formats, limited to 3.75MB in size.

Here’s what you need:

• NSLP: Upload a digital copy of the most recent document stating that your child is receiving free or reduced-price lunch as part of the program.
• SSI: Upload a digital copy of your original SSI benefits award letter or a current benefits verification letter with the recipient’s name on it.

To sign up for the Spectrum Internet Assist program, enter the required information and upload your documents using Spectrum’s online application.

Low-cost options from Spectrum

While we’ve already discussed Internet Assist and Internet 100, we wanted to compare them with Spectrum’s cheapest standard internet plan, which doesn’t require a household member to meet certain criteria. It costs roughly $39.99–$49.99 for the first 12 months but increases to $84.99 per month after that.

That said, if you don’t qualify for the Spectrum Internet Assist program and another provider offers service in your area, you may find a more affordable deal.

Spectrum’s other ACP alternative

Spectrum customers affected by the ACP’s demise received an email offering one Spectrum Mobile line free for 12 months—a $29.99 per month value. This deal is normally offered to new customers through Spectrum One, which also includes Spectrum Internet and Spectrum WiFi.

Other providers with low-income programs

If you don’t qualify for Spectrum Internet Assist and the base Spectrum Internet plan’s standard rate is too expensive, other options may be available. Here are some other internet providers with similar programs:

• AT&T Access

Additional resources

• Government Programs To Make Internet Service More Affordable
• How To Get Free and Low-Cost Internet
• Best Internet Deals
• Best Internet Plans and Discounts for Seniors
• Best Internet Plans and Discounts for Students
• Best Internet for Veterans and Military Families
• Rural Internet Providers
• The End of the ACP

FAQ about Spectrum’s low-income internet and the ACP