Senior discounts on internet in 2023

Getting older can be tough, but there’s no denying that it comes with perks, too. Wisdom, life experience, and—of course—discounts. Many companies offer senior discounts on products as a way to honor the older generations, ranging from a few dollars off a latte to large discounts on expensive services.

In this article, we’ll explore some of the most popular internet service providers (ISPs) and what (if any) senior discounts they offer. We’ll also cover other ways to save money on internet for those on a fixed income or limited budget.

What internet brands give senior discounts?

Let’s start by running through the major brands that offer internet discounts.

AT&T senior discounts

AT&T does not provide any senior discount programs. However, the provider does participate in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). AT&T also offers a low-cost plan called Access that, when paired with the ACP, provides internet access at no charge. The provider also offers a handful of lower-cost packages that can fit well into a senior’s budget.

Verizon Fios senior discounts

Like AT&T, Verizon Fios participates in the Affordable Connectivity Program, so you can take advantage of those discounts if you qualify. In fact, with Verizon you can get up to 300 Mbps internet at no cost using the ACP. Verizon also offers $10 off internet packages with select wireless plans, so you may be able to save some money if you have Verizon as a mobile provider.

Xfinity senior discounts

Xfinity does not offer senior-specific discounts, but it does offer the Internet Essentials plan to qualifying customers for just $9.95 per month. Combined with the ACP benefit, you can get this 50 Mbps plan at no cost. The plan also includes an option for purchasing a computer for $149.99—a nice benefit for those who don’t already have a way to access the internet.

Xfinity also offers the Connect plan for $30 per month for those who don’t meet the requirements for Internet Essentials. This package has plenty of speed for basic use and makes a great option for seniors that don’t qualify for low-income incentives.

CenturyLink senior discounts

CenturyLink doesn’t offer any special plans or discounts for seniors, and it also doesn’t have any sort of low-income plan. It does participate in the Lifeline and ACP programs, however, and these discounts can be applied to a CenturyLink plan.

Cox senior discounts

Cox offers a few options for individuals with tight budgets, such as the ConnectAssist plan for individuals ($30 per month) and a pay-as-you-go package called StraightUp Internet ($50 per month). Both offer up to 100 Mbps speeds, which is plenty for basic use.

Best of all, both of these plans can be combined with the ACP discount of $30 per month, making them very affordable.

Frontier senior discounts

Like the rest of the providers here, Frontier doesn’t offer any senior-specific internet discounts. Unfortunately, it also doesn’t offer much in the way of low-cost plans. However, you can use ACP or Lifeline discounts on Frontier internet packages, significantly reducing the cost.

Requirements for senior discounts on internet service

Since the vast majority of senior discounts you’ll find on internet service are based on the Affordable Connectivity Program, the requirements are essentially identical regardless of provider. To make things even simpler, the requirements for individual providers’ low-income plans are usually similar to ACP requirements (often, qualifying for the ACP automatically qualifies you for the low-income plan), so you really only need to worry about meeting a single set of qualifications.

Affordable Connectivity Program requirements

You can qualify for the ACP in a number of ways. Note that you only need to meet one of the following requirements:

• Your household income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
• You received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year.
  You meet the eligibility requirements for an ISP’s low-income internet program.
• You participate in one of the following government assistance programs:
  • Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch Program
  • School Breakfast Program
  • SNAP
  • Medicaid
  • Federal Housing Assistance
  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
  • WIC
  • Veterans Pension or Survivor Benefits
  • Lifeline
• You live on qualifying Tribal Lands and participate in one of the following programs:
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
  • Tribal TANF
  • Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
  • Tribal Head Start

If you qualify, you can apply for the ACP on its website. You’ll then need to contact your ISP in order to have the discount applied to your plan.

Other ways to get discounts on internet

The government offers a handful of programs to help discount internet service. We already mentioned the ACP, but there’s also a similar program called Lifeline.

Lifeline

The Lifeline program is a government program sponsored by the FCC. It “helps make communications services more affordable for low-income consumers.” (1) Lifeline gives subscribers a monthly discount on phone or internet service (or bundles), much like the ACP.

The Lifeline discount is smaller, at $9.25 per month ($34.25 per month for those on Tribal lands). However, the two can actually be combined, giving the consumer a larger overall discount on qualifying plans.

To apply for Lifeline, you need to fill out an online application called the Lifeline National Verifier. This will let you know if you’re eligible (and how to proceed if you are).

Tips and tricks for saving on internet service

There are a few things you can do to help maximize discounts as a senior:

• Review your internet bill to see if you’re paying for services you don’t need. For example, you may not need unlimited data, but it can cost extra with some providers.
• Consider how much internet speed you need. Your provider may have more affordable plans that better suit the way you use the internet.
• If you have both internet and TV service, see if your provider offers bundles—these often save money compared to purchasing the services separately.
• Call your provider and negotiate your bill. Sometimes customer service reps are authorized to offer special discounts, particularly if you’re in a tight financial situation or you are considering switching.
• Finally, you may just need to switch to a cheaper ISP. Most areas have at least two or three options.

Don't leave money on the table!

Senior discounts are a fantastic way to save some money on your favorite products and services. Unfortunately, ISPs don’t typically offer much in the way of discounted plans for seniors. However, you can save in other ways, especially if your income is on the lower end. Make sure to explore all the possibilities for savings on your internet plan—every little bit helps!