LOW-COST HOME INTERNET ACCESS
If you or your family participates in any of these programs, you likely qualify for a low cost home Internet access program from Comcast or RCN:
- Medicaid
- Public Housing (FPHA, HUD, housing assistance payment)
- SNAP
- WIC
- TANF
- NSLP (free school lunch)
- Headstart
- SSI
- Veteran’s Administration Pension
- LIHEAP (energy assistance)
- Pell Grant (RCN Only)
If you or your family participates in any of these programs or your income is less than 135% of the federal poverty rate, you likely qualify for a Lifeline discount from Verizon:
- Medicaid
- Public Housing (FPHA, HUD, housing assistance payment)
- SNAP
- Veteran’s Administration Pension
- VA Survivor’s Benefit
- Or your income is less than $17,226 for a household of 1, less than $23,274 for a household of two, or add $6,043 for each additional household member
Note: You cannot be a current Internet customer of Comcast, RCN, or Verizon. In response to COVID-19:
- Comcast and RCN will not check your credit
- Comcast and RCN will give you two months free Internet service
HERE ARE MORE DETAILS ABOUT WHAT THESE PROGRAMS OFFER AND HOW TO SIGN UP:
Comcast Internet Essentials
Comcast will allow you to apply with existing debt as long as you have not been a customer within the last 90 days. Households with outstanding debt owed to Comcast may be eligible for Internet Essentials. Comcast is waiving this qualification if you apply and are approved by 06/30/21. After 06/30/21, standard eligibility rules apply.
- Sign up by going to their website: www.internetessentials.com or call 855-846-8376 (English), 855-765-6995 (Spanish), you can also video chat in ASL on their site
- New Internet Essentials customers will receive two free months of Internet service if they are approved by June 30, 2021.
- Broadband speed: 25 Mbps download/3 Mbps upload
- Access to Comcast Xfinity hotspots
RCN Internet First
For the Internet First program, you cannot have had service with RCN in past 60 days.
- Sign up by going to their website: https://www.rcn.com/internet-first/ or call 800-746-4726
- $9.95/month (+ MD state tax)
- No installation/equipment fees
- Broadband speeds up to 250 mbps,TiVo Stream 4k, and a $100 gift card for $29.99 (not part of the internet first program - standard offering)
- Note: Limited service area Silver Spring, Chevy Chase, Gaithersburg
Verizon Federal Lifeline Program
- Sign up by going their website: https://www.verizon.com/support/residential/account/manage-account/lifeline-discount or call 800-837-4966
- $19.99/month after discount (+ MD state tax) | 200 Mbps download/200 Mbps upload | Discovery+ for 3 months (additional 6.99 after)
- $39.99/month after discount (+ MD state tax) | 400 Mbps download/400 Mbps upload | Discovery+ for 6 months (additional 6.99 after)
- $59.99/month after discount (+ MD state tax) | Gigabit download/Gigabit upload | Discovery+ for 12 months (additional 6.99 after)
- Equipment fees of $15 per month after 3rd month
- Additional $10 discount if combined with $70/month wireless phone plan
- •Disney+ free for the first 12 months ($6.99 after)
OR YOU NEED HELP SIGNING UP,
CONTACT US FOR HELP
We will explain how to sign up and help you determine if you are eligible. We will also assist you in speaking with an Internet service provider. If you have been denied enrollment in a low cost home Internet program, OBP will review the merits of your application and we will try to help.
- If you have been denied enrollment or need assistance, click on the Cable Complaint Intake Form button below.
- Put your name, address, phone and email information in the form.
- If you prefer one of the offers above, or have been denied enrollment, select the cable company in the “Cable Provider” box. Otherwise leave this box blank. In the “Problem Description” box, write “Low Cost Internet.”
- Click on the “Submit” button. The Office of Broadband Programs will try to assist you.
