What Is the Food Stamps or SNAP Program?
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, is a federal assistance program that provides nutrition benefits and helps low-income and no-income households purchase food. It’s America’s number one anti-hunger program that assists millions of Americans that struggle to feed themselves and their family members.
The program provides benefits to eligible low-income participants via an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card. Participants receive the financial aid directly deposited into their EBT card account. This card can be used as a debit card to purchase eligible food in authorized retail food stores, including supermarkets, convenience stores, food retailers, and certain farmers’ markets.
Is It Possible to Get a Free Internet With the Food Stamp Program?
Not only is SNAP the largest nutrition assistance program that provides healthy food for qualifying households, but participating in the program may also make you eligible for some other government assistance programs.
Indeed, your participation in the SNAP program automatically makes you eligible for certain government aid programs, including Lifeline and the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).
Lifeline is a government assistance program established in the 1980s and designed to help make communications services more affordable for low-income citizens. Lifeline provides a discount of up to $9.25 a month and up to $34.25 a month for those on Tribal lands on qualifying monthly telephone service, broadband Internet service, or bundled voice-broadband packages purchased from participating wireline or wireless providers.
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a brand new benefits program by the FCC designed to help ensure that individuals and households can afford the broadband access they need for work, education, healthcare, and more. The ACP offers a discount of up to $30 a month ($75 for eligible Tribal households) on broadband internet services.
As both Lifeline and the ACP provide free internet services and as SNAP participants qualify for both assistance programs, the answer to the question is yes – you can get free internet with the Food Stamp program.
How Do I Qualify for the Free Internet With Food Stamps?
There are two government assistance programs that provide eligible households with free internet – Lifeline and the new Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). To enroll and receive free internet, you must qualify for one of those two assistance programs. Both these benefits come with strict eligibility criteria.
To qualify for Lifeline, you or any of your household members must meet at least one of the following criteria:
- You can get Lifeline if your annual household income is 135% or less than the Federal Poverty Guidelines. You can see the table at lifelinesupport.org/do-i-qualify.
- You can get Lifeline if you or any of your household members participate in a qualifying Federal or Tribal Assistance program, such as:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as Food Stamps
- Medicaid
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
- Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
- Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF)
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
- Head Start (only households meeting the income qualifying standard)
To qualify for ACP, you or any of your household members must meet at least one of the following criteria:
- You can get the ACP benefit if your annual household income is 200% or less than the Federal Poverty Guidelines. You can see the table at acpbenefit.org/do-i-qualify.
- You can get the ACP benefit if you or any of your household members participate in a qualifying Federal or Tribal Assistance program, such as:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as Food Stamps
- Medicaid
- Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
- Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
- Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program, including at U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Community Eligibility Provision schools in the 2019-20, 2020-21, or 2021-22 school year
- Received a Federal Pell Grant in the current award year
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
- Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF)
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
- Head Start (only households meeting the income qualifying standard)
- You can get the ACP benefit if you or any of your household members already receive a Lifeline benefit.
As participating in the SNAP or Food Stamps program makes you eligible for both Lifeline and the ACP, any SNAP member can easily participate in both programs and receive free internet with Food Stamps in 2022.
If you qualify for Lifeline and/or ACP, you can select an internet or phone company near you and apply for their service and discounts. You will be required to provide your full legal name, date of birth, address, your Social Security (or Tribal Identification) number, and certain documents that prove your eligibility. Your selected Lifeline/ACP provider will process your application and if approved, you will sign up and receive your discount toward your bill.
What Documents Do I Need to Apply for Free Internet With Food Stamp Program?
When you sign up for the Lifeline and/or ACP benefit through any eligibility criteria, you will be required to prove your eligibility.
For example, if you wish to enroll in the Lifeline and/or ACP through your participation in the Food Stamps program and receive free internet with Food Stamps in 2022, you will have to prove that you in fact participate in the Food Stamps or SNAP program. You can do so by providing an official document that includes your full legal name, the name of the qualifying program (SNAP), the name of the government, Tribal entity, program administrator, school, school district, university, or college that issued the document, and an issue date within the last 12 months or a future expiration date, and proves your participation in the program. Qualifying documents include:
- Approval letter
- Benefit award letter
- Benefit verification letter
- Statement of benefits
The same documents qualify if you wish to enroll through your participation in any other qualifying Federal or Tribal Assistance program.
If you wish to enroll in the Lifeline and/or ACP benefits through your household income, you will have to provide a document that shows that your annual income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. The document must include your full legal name and your annual income. Qualifying documents include:
- A retirement/pension statement of benefits
- A Social Security statement of benefits
- Child support award
- Current income statement from your employer or a paycheck stub
- Divorce decree
- Prior year’s state, federal, or Tribal tax return
- Unemployment or Worker’s Compensation statement of benefits
- Veterans Administration statement of benefits
When applying for the Lifeline and/or ACP benefits, you may also be required to prove your identity or address. To do so, you must provide an official document that includes your full legal name, your date of birth, and your current address.
In addition, as only people who are at least 18 years old and emancipated minors can participate in Lifeline and ACP, emancipated minors will be required to provide an official document that includes the participant’s full legal name and confirms his or her emancipated minor status. Document examples include a court document or a certificate of emancipation.
11 Best Providers That Provide Free Internet With Food Stamps
Now that you know how to apply for free internet with Food Stamps in 2022, you must find a top low-income internet provider. Here are some of the best providers that provide free internet with Food Stamps.
Altice Advantage Internet (Optimum and Suddenlink)
What They Offer
Altice is a proud Affordable Connectivity Program participant and wireless service provider. Through its ACP program, the company offers a discount of up to $30 a month ($75 for eligible households on Tribal lands) on broadband internet service. If eligible and if you are a resident of one of the states where the companies offer their services, you can apply for Optimum ACP or Suddenlink ACP.
To qualify, you must meet the ACP eligibility criteria. See the Affordable Connectivity Program eligibility criteria above.
Where and How to Apply
You can apply for the Optimum ACP at optimum.com/ACP and for the Suddenlink ACP at suddenlink.com/affordable-connectivity-program. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete and submit the provider’s online application form.
Access from AT&T
What They Offer
Access from AT&T offers low-cost internet service to eligible participants of up to 10 Mbps at $5 to $10 a month through their ACP program. The price includes an in-home Wi-Fi modem and access to over 30,000 AT&T nationwide hotspots. There is no contract, no deposit, and no installation fee required.
Eligible households include households that have at least one member who participates in the SNAP or Food Stamps program, lives in AT&T’s 21-state area where wireline home internet service is provided and doesn’t have an outstanding debt for AT&T fixed internet service within 6 months.
Where and How to Apply
To apply, go to att.com/internet/access. The first step is to get approved for the Affordable Connectivity Program. Make sure that you qualify and apply at acpbenefit.org. Your eligibility will be determined by the National Verifier. Then, call the company at 855.220.5211 to order the service. Make sure to have your application ID at hand.
Cox Connect2Compete
What They Offer
Cox Connect2Compete offers low-cost internet of up to 15 Mbps for $9.95 a month. The program comes with no annual contracts, no deposits, and a free Wi-Fi modem.
To qualify, a member of a household must have at least one K-12 student, a National School Lunch Program (NSLP) participant, a Public Housing participant, a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) member, or a Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) participant.
In addition to the Connect2Compete plan, Cox also offers the Cox Internet Starter 10 (up to 10 Mbps). This plan is free for the first month and afterward, it costs $19.99 a month.
Where and How to Apply
To apply, visit cox.com/residential/internet/connect2compete.html. First, you must check your eligibility, start the application process, and finally, get connected. You can also apply and learn more about the program by calling (855) 222-3252.
In case you also need information Affordable Connectivity Program Xfinity
EveryoneOn
What They Offer
EveryoneOn is a non-profit organization that offers low-cost internet service and affordable computers for low-income customers as well as an ACP provider. They also provide free digital skills training. Their cheap home internet plans only cost $10 to $20 per month.
The organization’s primary program, Connect2Compete provides discounted services for households that participate in SNAP, the National School Lunch Program, SSI, TANF, Medicaid, and more.
Where and How to Apply
To find low-cost offers and apply, go to everyoneon.org/find-offers. Enter your ZIP code in the provided search box and press ‘Find Internet and Computer Offers.
Internet First
What They Offer
Internet First is a company that offers affordable internet access to qualifying low-income households. The internet service provider offers internet service of up to 50 Mbps for only $9.95 a month. There are no contracts, no credit checks, and no installation fees. Plus, you can get the first 60 days for free.
To qualify, you must live in California, District of Columbia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Texas, and Washington state, which is where the provider offers its services. You must also participate in a public assistance program, such as the National School Lunch Program, housing assistance, Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, and others. In addition, you must not have subscribed to the company’s services within the 60-day period immediately prior to applying for the program.
Where and How to Apply
To apply, go to internetfirst.com/apply and choose to either apply online or by mail. If you choose the first option, you will get redirected to the company’s online application, otherwise, you will get the instructions on how to apply via mail.
PCs for People
What They Offer
PCs for People is a non-profit organization that offers affordable internet and low-cost computers for families in need. At PCs for People, you can get a discount of up to $11.25 a month to make the internet more affordable.
To receive a discount, your annual income must be below the 200% poverty level or be currently enrolled in an income-based government assistance program, such as SNAP, SSI, SSD, the National School Lunch Program, etc.
Where and How to Apply
To apply, go to pcsforpeople.org/low-cost-internet, select the option that best fits your needs, and fill out the online application form.
Verizon
What They Offer
Verizon offers both Lifeline discounts for Lifeline-eligible customers as well as its own discounts on internet services. Verizon offers a $20 discount on Verizon Fios internet plans in addition to the standard $9.25 Lifeline discount. As such, at Verizon, you can get a 200 Mbps internet plan for just $19.99 a month.
To qualify, you must be Lifeline-eligible. See the Lifeline eligibility criteria above.
Where and How to Apply
If you wish to sign up, visit verizon.com/info/low-income-internet and press ‘Apply Here’. Fill out the application form and you will be notified if you have applied successfully in a matter of days.
Xfinity Internet Essentials from Comcast
What They Offer
Xfinity is a proud Affordable Connectivity Provider that offers internet speeds of up to 15 Mbps with no data caps for $9.95 a month. You won’t be required to sign a contract, have a credit check, or pay an installation fee. In-home Wi-Fi is included. In addition, subscribers have the option to purchase a low-cost computer for $149.99 plus tax.
You can get the benefit if you or any other family member is ACP-eligible. See the ACP eligibility criteria above.
Where and How to Apply
To apply, visit internetessentials.com and press ‘Apply for Internet Essentials’. You will be redirected to the provider’s online application form, which you must fill out by providing all the required information.
If I Don’t Get a Free Internet Under the Food Stamp or SNAP Program, How Else Can I Get a Free Internet?
In case you do not participate in the SNAP program and are unable to get free internet with Food Stamps in 2022, there are still some other programs that offer free internet access.
Altice Advantage Internet (Optimum and Suddenlink)
What They Offer
In addition to their ACP discounts, Altice also offers low-income households a discount on internet service through both Optimum and Suddenlink. The discount is called Altice Advantage Internet. Eligible households can receive up to 30 Mbps for $14.99 a month. The first 60 days are free of charge.
Qualifying households include families with a K-12 or college student who needs internet access at home, seniors eligible for SSI (Supplemental Security Income), or veterans receiving public assistance.
Where and How to Apply
You can apply for the Altice Advantage Internet for low-income consumers at apply.optimumadvantageinternet.com/main. Press ‘Qualify Now’ to submit your application.
Mediacom Connect2Compete
What They Offer
Mediacom’s Connect2Compete program provides eligible households with an internet plan that comes with 10 Mbps and costs $9.95 a month. The program has no contracts, no deposit, no installation fees, and no equipment rental fees. Subscribers also get a Wi-Fi modem through a free lease.
To qualify, you must have a K-12 student, a child who participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). Also, you must not be a current Mediacom internet customer and you cannot have an outstanding bill or unreturned equipment.
Mediacom also offers Access Internet 60 (up to 60 Mbps) at $19.99 a month for 12 months, which is $10 cheaper than the normal rate.
Where and How to Apply
To learn more and apply, go to mediacomc2c.com. You can also do so by calling (855) 904-2225. Before you apply, make sure that you are eligible.
Spectrum Internet Assist
What They Offer
Spectrum Internet Assist offers low-income internet to eligible applicants. Their plan costs $14.99 a month and offers internet speeds of up to 30 Mbps. The provider doesn’t require you to sign any contracts and it offers a free internet modem. The company also allows you to add in-home Wi-Fi for an extra $5 a month.
To qualify, you or any other member of your household must participate in the National School Lunch Program, the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) of the NSLP, or Supplemental Security Income (applicable for seniors).
Where and How to Apply
To apply for Spectrum Internet Assist, visit spectrum.com/internet/spectrum-internet-assist and press ‘Save Now’. You will be asked to enter your address and ZIP code to view available offers. Once you do so, press ‘Continue’ and you will be redirected to the provider’s online application form.
7 Other Ways to Get Free Internet
In addition to the government and non-government programs listed above, there are also some other ways to get free internet, including the following:
Antenna
You can get free internet by installing a Wi-Fi antenna in your home. The antenna will connect to a public internet in your area and as long as the Wi-Fi is unprotected (or if you know the password), you can enjoy a free internet connection at all times from the comfort of your own home.
Satellite
If you get a satellite dish, you can get low-cost or even free internet service. Many satellite providers that offer satellite TV also provide internet services.
FreedomPop
FreedomPop is an MVNO that offers affordable or even free internet access through AT&T’s network. At FreedomPop, you can get data service, voice service, mobile hotspot, and several Wi-Fi plans. The free plan offers 200 MB of free high-speed data a month. However, this option is only possible if you have AT&T wireless in your area.
NetZero
NetZero is a low-cost internet provider that offers both broadband and dial-up internet, as well as several monthly plans. The provider’s basic data plan is free and it comes with 200 MB of monthly data. It’s important to mention that you won’t be able to use your own hotspot but will be required to buy a NetZero mobile broadband device. If you have a regular phone line and a modem, you can get free dial-up internet access, which is limited to 10 hours a month.
Mesh Networks
Another great option for free internet access is to find or set up a community mesh network. While finding one may not be quite as hard, setting one up is quite challenging, as it involves connecting various wireless routers and requires a level of resourcefulness.
Public Internet
Nowadays, there are public Wi-Fi connections everywhere. Most restaurants, libraries, hotels, train stations, shopping areas, and even larger cities have them. If you can access any of these public connections at home, it would make a great free internet option.
Free School District Internet for Students
Schools and school districts also tend to offer free internet resources for students. Ask your local school if they can help you get low-cost or free internet access and rent the required hardware.
If you need information What Types of Internet Connections Available
Who Qualifies for AT&T Low-cost Internet?
As AT&T offers low-cost internet through their Affordable Connectivity Program, all citizens who are approved for the federal ACP program, are also eligible for Access from AT&T. As such, to qualify, you must have a household income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or participate in a qualifying government assistance program. At AT&T it is also possible to get free internet with Food Stamps.
Free Internet with Food Stamps Related FAQs
Why is the Internet Is Important for Our Lives?
Nowadays, having an internet connection is vital. It allows us to work, access virtual classrooms and participate in online education, contact healthcare and emergency services, and stay in touch with loved ones.
Why Internet for Low-income Families?
Unlike high-income households, low-income families are unable to afford internet services. As such, they miss out on work, education, and more. Therefore, it is important to make sure low-income people can get free internet access.
Does the Government Offer Free Internet?
Yes. Luckily, the government appreciates the fact that having internet services is a necessity and offers free internet for eligible low-income households.
How Do I Check if I Qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program?
To qualify, you must be Lifeline and/or ACP-eligible, depending on which program and benefit your selected provider offers. You can see the Lifeline and ACP eligibility criteria above. In addition, to make sure that you qualify, you can check with the National Verifier at acpbenefit.org.
How to Apply for Internet Essentials From Comcast?
To apply for Xfinity Internet Essentials from Comcast, visit internetessentials.com and press ‘Apply for Internet Essentials’. You will be redirected to the provider’s online application form, which you must fill out by providing all the required information.
Where Can I Get Internet at $10?
Even though $10 is not a lot of money, there are some ACP providers that offer basic internet plans at this price, including AT&T, Cox, Mediacom, and Xfinity. In addition, there are also some non-profit organizations that offer internet at similar prices.
How Do I Apply for AT&T Low-cost Internet?
To apply for AT&T’s low-cost internet, go to att.com/internet/access. First, get approved for the Affordable Connectivity Program at acpbenefit.org. Then, call the company at 855.220.5211 to order the service. Make sure to have your application ID at hand.
Can I Get Access From AT&T Without ACP?
Yes. You can apply through AT&T at att.com/shop/internet/access/index.html#!. To qualify, your household must participate in the SNAP, SSI (California residents only), or National School Lunch Program. The program is also available to households with annual income below 200%.
Can Families on Food Stamps Get Internet Assistance?
Yes. Households that participate in the Food Stamps program can qualify for internet assistance through the Lifeline and/or ACP program. In addition, many internet service providers also have their own programs for low-income customers that are eligible for SNAP members.
Is It Possible to Get Both Free Internet and a Laptop?
Yes. Some ACP providers offer both free internet plans and free connected devices, such as laptops, tablets, and desktop computers.