What is Spectrum Internet Assist for Low-Income Families

by Ruth Olivia

Spectrum is one of the largest internet cable providers in America. However, the carrier offers two options for customers needing low-cost Internet service. Eligible customers can enroll for Spectrum low-income internet through Spectrum Internet Assist and the FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program. With these programs, low-income families, students, and senior citizens can access high-speed internet service for as low as $0 monthly. Existing and new Spectrum subscribers can enroll in this low-income internet program through Spectrum.

The Spectrum Internet Assist program offers reliable, high-speed internet access at an affordable price for low-income customers who qualify. You must meet the eligibility criteria described below and submit proof of your application to be successful. Spectrum also participates in the FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program, which offers a discount of up to $30 per month on internet packages for qualifying low-income households. Seniors age 65+ receive Supplemental Security Income, and students are eligible for the Spectrum Affordable Connectivity Program and the Spectrum Internet Assist program.

Eligibility For Spectrum Low-Income Internet

i) Spectrum Internet Assist

To enroll for Spectrum Internet Assist, a household member must be a beneficiary of any of the following programs and upload proof of eligibility in the next section after the application form:

  • Supplemental Security Income (For Applicants 65+ Years of Age)
  • The National School Lunch Program (NSLP); free or reduced-cost lunch
  • Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) of the NSLP

Of importance to note is that these programs do not attain eligibility requirements:

  • Social Security Disability (SSD)
  • Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) 
  • Social Security Retirement and Survivor Benefits.

How to Apply for Spectrum Internet Assist?

You must submit your Spectrum Account ( optional) full name, address, city, state, Zip Code, and Phone Number (Home) on the application form. To complete the application, you must attach official documentation that proves eligibility and ensure they are legible and complete. Finally, submit your application at the Spectrum website.

ii) Spectrum Affordable Connectivity Program

Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a Federal government program that offers eligible households a free internet discount of up to $30 per month and $75 for eligible consumers on Tribal lands. If you qualify for this program, you’ll enjoy Spectrum Internet’s benefits while saving monthly with the ACP program.

Current Spectrum customers already enrolled for eligibility via the National Verifier may contact 844-815-8926 to apply for Spectrum Internet for low-income programs. The offer can be applied to an existing Spectrum Internet plan at any time for the duration of the program. Spectrum Internet packages qualify for ACP.

How to Eligibility for Spectrum Affordable Connectivity Program?

A household is eligible For Spectrum Internet for low-income families through the Affordable Connectivity Program upon attaining the following requirements:

A Spectrum customer is eligible for an internet discount through ACP following a household’s income at or less than 200% of the Federal Poverty Line. Again, you can qualify if you or someone in your household currently receives a government benefit like:

  • SNAP
  • Medicaid
  • SSI
  • WIC
  • Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
  • Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA) 
  • Pell Grant
  • Free and Reduced-Price Lunch.

Tribal Assistance Programs include:

  • Tribal TANF
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
  • Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
  • Head Start (income-based qualifying standard)

In the above case, you must submit a card, letter, or official document proving that you participate in these programs when applying for Spectrum low-income internet through ACP.

Service Features Include:

  • Home internet speeds up to 30 Mbps
  • No data caps or additional fees
  • No contracts
  • FREE modem & optional in-home Wi-Fi service at $5/month
  • FREE unlimited access to nationwide out-of-home Wi-Fi access points

Process of Spectrum Low-Income Internet ACP Application

You may enroll for this program if you’re a Spectrum Internet customer and attain the above criteria. However, the program is not automatic. Thus, you must enroll with the FCC National Verifier and Spectrum to be eligible for this program benefit. Follow these steps to get started:

Step 1: Check if You Qualify

You can confirm if you qualify based on the program’s criteria above.

Step 2: Get Approved

Then, complete the application form, and if qualified, you’ll get approval from the National Verifier and be issued an ID.

Step 3: Select Your Plan

Once verified, you may enroll for Spectrum Internet online or by calling 877.959.1748

iii) Current Customers

Current Spectrum customers with an application for eligibility through the National Verifier may complete the online application form to apply for this program. You’ll get verification of your application status in this program by email.

iv) New Customers

If you’re considering switching to Spectrum, you can check if you qualify for Spectrum low-income internet through ACP by visiting the Spectrum webpage. You will be required to enroll through the National Verifier as well.

How To Save With Spectrum Internet For Low-Income Families?

Affordable Connectivity Program-eligible low-income new households could obtain 100 Mbps download speeds for just $29.99 per month, including a modem, in-home WiFi, and self-installation at no extra charge. Also, eligible households can get up to a $30 monthly discount toward Internet service. In other words, eligible low-income customers can obtain Spectrum Internet 100 at no monthly cost.

Again, the Affordable Connectivity Program offers low-income eligible households a temporary monthly discount on broadband service. Eligible households can enroll in Spectrum Internet and save up to $30 monthly through the Affordable Connectivity Program. The benefit will reflect as a credit on your monthly statement for a period of the program.

Below is how much you can save on your monthly internet from Spectrum:

  • Spectrum Internet 100 from $29.99/month now $0
  • Spectrum Internet from $49.99/month now $19.99
  • Spectrum Internet Ultra from $69.99/month now $39.99
  • Spectrum Internet Gig from $89.99/month now $59.99

Conclusion

Spectrum is a low-income internet provider to eligible students, families, and seniors. You can get the internet in two ways. First, you can enroll in Spectrum low-income Internet through the Affordable Connectivity Program or Spectrum Internet Assist. In both cases, you must meet the set eligibility guidelines and gather the relevant documents that prove eligibility.