Get Free and Affordable Internet During the COVID-19 Crisis

Internet access is extremely important, especially during a pandemic. But many families can’t afford home internet and don’t know how to get help.

We have a long way to go before everyone who needs internet access can get it. But here are some options that are available now in Philadelphia and across the country:

1. Free Outdoor Pubic Wi-Fi
2. Non-Prepaid Internet Providers
3. Pre-paid Internet Providers

More information about each option and how to use it is below.

Download the flyer with this information here.

Wi-Fi Hotspots

• Where can I find free public Wi-Fi hotspots?
  • A map of public and commercial Wi-Fi hotspots in Philadelphia can be found here.
• Who can use the Wi-Fi hotspots?
  • You need an active library card number and PIN to access the internet at public Library locations. You can sign up for a library card online here. Wifi at all Philadelphia Library locations will remain active even when the branches are are closed.
  • Wi-Fi access at all School District schools will remain active for students, faculty, or guests, even while schools are closed.
• What is a ‘Mobile Hotspot’?
  • You can turn your phone into a hotspot and use it to connect to the internet. Information on how to turn your phone into a hotspot can be found here.
  • Using your phone as a mobile hotspot can use up a lot of data and battery life. Make sure you have enough data on your phone plan to allow for hotspot use, and don’t forget to turn off the hotspot when you’re done using it!

*New* Emergency Broadband Assistance

• If ANY of the below applies to you:
  • You qualify for Lifeline
  • You qualify for free/reduced school lunch
  • You are a Pell Grant recipient
  • You have had a substantial loss in income since March 2020 (with total income under $99K for single filers and under $198K for joint filers)
  • You are eligible for your service provider’s low-income program
• You could get:
  • Up to $50 discount on your monthly bill (up to $75 for people living in qualifying Tribal lands)
  • One-time $100 discount on a laptop, desktop, or tablet (with copay)
• There are three ways to apply:
  • Apply online at https://getemergencybroadband.org/
  • Contact your broadband provider directly to learn about their application process
  • Call (833) 511-0311 for a mail-in application,and return it along with copies of documents showing proof of eligibility to:
    Emergency Broadband Support Center
    P.O. Box 7081
    London, KY 40742

Download the Emergency Broadband Assistance Flyer

 

Comcast Internet essentials

• What do I get with Comcast Internet Essentials?
  • Comcast Internet Essentials provides internet for $9.95/month for low-income customers. New Internet Essentials customers will receive two free months of Internet service if you apply by December 31, 2020. After two months, the regular rate of $9.95 a month will apply.
  • Installation is free and equipment is included. There is no contract and you can cancel at any time.
  • All Internet Essentials customers can buy a laptop at the reduced price of $150.
  • Comcast offers free training on computer and internet skills for all Internet Essentials customers. Visit the Internet Essentials training page for more information.
• What are the eligibility criteria?
  • You are eligible if you are eligible for public assistance programs such as the National School Lunch Program, Medicaid, SNAP (food stamps), SSI, and others. You are eligible if you live in public housing or receive HUD Housing Assistance, including Section 8, or participate in the Veterans Pension Program.
  • You must not be an existing Xfinity Internet customer and cannot have subscribed to Comcast Internet within the last 90 days.
    • If you recently had to disconnect your Comcast internet due to hardship, you may be eligible to sign up for Internet Essentials immediately—without having a 90-day waiting period.
  • You cannot owe money to Comcast from less than a year ago. Families with outstanding debt more than one year old may still be eligible.
    • Due to the Coronavirus emergency, households that owe money to Comcast may still be eligible for Internet Essentials. Comcast is waiving this rule if you are approved by December 31 2020. If you apply after that date, the normal rules apply.
  • Will my Credit Score affect my eligibility?
    • No! No credit check is required.
  • How do I apply?
    • Apply at internetessentials.com  or call 1-855-8-INTERNET
    • After you apply, you may be asked to provide 1 piece of documentation to show that you are eligible for public assistance.
    • You do not need a Social Security Number to apply.
    • Comcast accepts these documents:
      • MEDICAID: card or most recent eligibility letter for any member of your household.
      • Proof of public housing assistance like your lease, housing assistance payment (HAP) contract, or eligibility documentation from HUD.
      • SNAP (food stamps): letter saying you are approved for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits.
      • TANF: eligibility letter for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.
      • SSI: eligibility letter for Supplemental Security Income.
      • NSLP/Head Start: copy of a letter showing that you participate in the National School Lunch Program or Head Start, with your child’s name, the school name, and the address of where you are requesting service.
      • LIHEAP: letter confirming your eligibility for Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.
      • WIC: eligibility letter for the Women, Infants, and Children program.
      • FEDERAL PELL GRANT: (Colorado and Illinois only) documentation from your community college’s financial aid office.
      • VA PENSION: veterans pension eligibility determination letter from the Veterans Administration.
      • Tribal assistance eligibility letter, including TTANF, FDPIR, etc.
    • What if I owe money to Comcast?
      • If the Comcast bill you owe is over one year old, you can still apply for Comcast Internet Essentials.
      • Due to the Coronavirus emergency, all qualifying households that owe money to Comcast should still apply for Internet Essentials. Normally, households that owe money from less than a year ago cannot get Internet Essentials. But Comcast is waiving this qualification if you are approved by 12/31/20. After 12/31/20, the normal rules apply.
    • Can I switch from a regular Comcast bill to Internet Essentials?
      • Yes, but only after waiting 90 days after cancelling your previous Comcast bill.
        • Unfortunately, a person can only qualify for Internet Essentials if they have not been a Comcast internet subscriber during the last 90 days. That means if you have Comcast internet now, you will have to cancel your internet, wait three months, and then go back to Comcast to apply for Internet Essentials.
        • There may be a fee for cancelling a contract early.
      • If you recently had to disconnect your Comcast internet due to hardship, you may be eligible to sign up for Internet Essentials immediately—without having the 90-day waiting period.

Verizon

• What discounts does Verizon offer for low-income customers?
  • Verizon offers internet for $19.99 a month for customers who are Lifeline eligible. Router rental costs an additional $15 per month after the first two months.
  • Customers who have Lifeline service as of March 20th will have all billing charges waived for 60 days (two billing cycles) beginning with the 3.22.20 bills.
• What is the Lifeline program?
  • Lifeline is a federal program that lowers the monthly cost of your phone or internet service.
• Am I eligible?
  • Only Lifeline eligible customers qualify for the discount.
  • You qualify for the Lifeline discount if your income is 135% or less than the federal poverty guidelines or if you participate in a qualifying federal assistance program.
  • Those programs include SNAP (food stamps), Medicaid, SSI, Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA), Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit, Tribal Programs (and live on federally-recognized Tribal lands)
  • Your household cannot receive a Lifeline discount from more than one phone or internet company
  • If you get Lifeline for bundled phone and internet service, you can receive the benefit for your mobile phone bundled service or your home bundled service, but not both.
• How do I apply?
  • First you should apply for a Lifeline discount, either online with the Lifeline National Verifier or with the Lifeline paper application. Return the paper application by mail, along with proof of eligibility (note: the paper application typically takes 1-2 weeks for a decision).
  • Once you have been approved for Lifeline, contact Verizon at 1-800-Verizon to set up service with your Lifeline discount.

• Human I-T
  • What do I get with Human I-T?
    • Human I-T offers a Wi-Fi hotspot with unlimited Sprint 4G LTE data.
    • The Wi-Fi hotspot costs $150, and the service costs $15 per month. Plans are prepaid with no credit check or hidden fees.
    • You can also buy a computer, starting at $99.
  • Am I eligible?
    • You are eligible if you receive government assistance OR if your household income is below 200% of the federal poverty level.
      • To prove your income you must use: prior year’s tax return; Social Security letter; GA participation letter; Veteran Benefits statement; retirement/pension statement
      • Note: You cannot use paystubs to prove income eligibility!

 

• How do I sign up?
  • Sign up for a Human I-T account online at hitconnect.org, and click ‘Internet’, where you can buy a pre-paid plan and hotspot modem.
  • You will need to provide proof of income when you sign up. To provide an image of the proof of income:
    • Upload it electronically on hitconnect.org
    • Call Human I-T at (888) 268-3921
    • Text it to Human I-T at 562-372-6925
    • Email it to info@human-i-t.org
  • If you have trouble with your application, you can call (888) 268-3921 or text Human I-T at 562-372-6925 or email programs@smarthuman.org
• Will my credit score affect my eligibility?
  • No! No credit check required for this prepaid option.
• PCs for People
  • What Internet options does PCs for People offer?
    • PCs for People offers a Wi-Fi hotspot with unlimited Sprint 4G LTE, provided by Mobile Beacon.
    • The hotspot costs $80, and the service costs $15 per month. Plans are prepaid with no credit check or hidden fees.
    • PCs for People also offers low cost computers.
  • Am I eligible?
    • You are eligible if you receive government assistance OR if your household income is below 200% of the federal poverty level.
    • To prove eligibility, you must submit photo ID and proof of eligibility dated within last 6 months that lists your name. Pays stubs not accepted. A list of accepted documents to prove eligibility can be found here.
  • How do I place an order?
    • You can order online at https://www.pcsforpeople.org or by phone 651-354-2552.
    • Online orders will require an image or PDF upload of your proof of eligibility document. For phone orders, this proof can be emailed to internet@pcsforpeople.com, faxed to 651-666-1045 or mailed to the PCs for People Headquarters, 1481 Marshall Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55104.
  • Will my credit score affect my eligibility?
    • No! No credit check required for this prepaid option.