{"id":9624,"date":"2016-08-01T07:00:06","date_gmt":"2016-08-01T12:00:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.senioradvisor.com\/blog\/?p=9624"},"modified":"2020-10-13T20:45:08","modified_gmt":"2020-10-14T01:45:08","slug":"low-cost-internet-helps-seniors-cross-the-digital-divide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/d30braiqprupoq.cloudfront.net\/blog\/2016\/08\/low-cost-internet-helps-seniors-cross-the-digital-divide\/","title":{"rendered":"Low-Cost Internet Helps Seniors Cross the Digital Divide"},"content":{"rendered":"<h1>Low-Cost Internet Helps Seniors Cross the Digital<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-9834\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/img.prod.aplaceformom.com\/main\/uploads\/sa-blog\/2016\/06\/Low-Cost-Internet-Helps-Seniors-Cross-the-Digital-Divide-350x293.jpg\" alt=\"Low-Cost Internet Helps Seniors Cross the Digital Divide\" width=\"350\" height=\"293\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/img.prod.aplaceformom.com\/main\/uploads\/sa-blog\/2016\/06\/Low-Cost-Internet-Helps-Seniors-Cross-the-Digital-Divide-350x293.jpg 350w, https:\/\/s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/img.prod.aplaceformom.com\/main\/uploads\/sa-blog\/2016\/06\/Low-Cost-Internet-Helps-Seniors-Cross-the-Digital-Divide-768x644.jpg 768w, https:\/\/s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/img.prod.aplaceformom.com\/main\/uploads\/sa-blog\/2016\/06\/Low-Cost-Internet-Helps-Seniors-Cross-the-Digital-Divide.jpg 940w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px\" \/> Divide<\/h1>\n<p>These days everything happens on the internet, from reading the news and finding recipes to researching healthcare treatments and applying for benefits. Not everyone\u2019s on, though. The Pew Research Center says <a href=\"http:\/\/www.pewinternet.org\/2014\/04\/03\/older-adults-and-technology-use\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>fewer than half of US seniors<\/strong><\/a> have high-speed internet at home. That\u2019s because it\u2019s costly \u2013 about <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.att.com\/shop\/internet\/access\/#\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">$47 per month<\/a><\/strong>, on average. Some internet service providers, government agencies, and nonprofit groups are helping seniors log on with low-cost service. If you or a senior you know can\u2019t afford home internet service, here\u2019s what you need to know.<\/p>\n<h2>Local programs for low-income seniors<\/h2>\n<p>In parts of Boston, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle, and Palm Beach County, Florida, Comcast offers $10-a-month high-speed internet <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.bizjournals.com\/philadelphia\/news\/2016\/05\/12\/comcast-internet-essentials-low-income-seniors.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">for low-income seniors<\/a><\/strong>, along with the things they need to make the most of it: low-cost computers and free training to help them safely navigate the online world. Learn more at Comcast\u2019s <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/internetessentials.com\/seniors\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Internet Essentials page<\/a> <\/strong>for seniors.<\/p>\n<h2>Neighborhood-wide internet access discounts<\/h2>\n<p>In some neighborhoods where Google Fiber is installing its super-fast network, residents automatically qualify for $15\/per month high-speed plans. The rate is available in areas where census data shows few residents with internet at home. Google Fiber projects are underway in Atlanta, Austin, Kansas City, Nashville, and Provo, and more than a dozen other cities are on the list as upcoming or potential locations for Google Fiber. Learn more at the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/fiber.google.com\/about\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Google Fiber website<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>FreedomPop offers free and low-cost wireless internet access to households in selected low-income zip codes within the Sprint wireless network coverage area. Learn more on the national nonprofit EveryoneOn\u2019s <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/everyoneon.org\/eligibility\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">eligibility page<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<h2>Low-cost internet access for SNAP participants<\/h2>\n<p>In the 21 states AT&amp;T serves with home wireline internet plans, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program participants with no outstanding AT&amp;T bills may qualify for the company\u2019s discounted service. It\u00a0costs between $5 and $10 per month, depending on the speed of service in the area. Learn more and apply at the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.att.com\/shop\/internet\/access\/#\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Access from AT&amp;T page.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Options for \u201cgrandfamilies\u201d with school-age children<\/h2>\n<p>We\u2019ve blogged about the growing resources for <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.senioradvisor.com\/blog\/2016\/04\/grandfamilies-grow-as-more-seniors-raise-grandchildren\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">grandparents raising grandchildren<\/a><\/strong> or living with them, and one of those resources is affordable internet access. Households where at least one child qualifies for the National School Lunch Program may be eligible for $10\/month service from several providers, including Comcast, Cox, and some regional ISPs. You can see a full list with program details on the <a href=\"http:\/\/everyoneon.org\/eligibility\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>EveryoneOn eligibility page<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>More resources for low-cost internet access at home<\/h2>\n<p>The FCC\u2019s Lifeline subsidy program will soon give participants $9.25 per month to spend on wired or wireless internet service. Participants in Medicaid, Section 8 public housing, Low-Income Home Energy Assistance, and other federal, state, and tribal assistance programs will be eligible. A start date for the internet subsidy hasn\u2019t been set yet. Learn more and check for updates at the FCC\u2019s <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fcc.gov\/consumers\/guides\/lifeline-support-affordable-communications\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Lifeline Support for Affordable Communications<\/a><\/strong> page.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Get Senior Living Advice\u00a0Now<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Speaking of saving money, if you\u2019re looking for the best value options for senior care, be sure to visit\u00a0<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.senioradvisor.com\/\">SeniorAdvisor.com<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0to see reviews, ratings, and prices for\u00a0<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.senioradvisor.com\/assisted-living\">assisted living<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>and more.<\/p>\n<p>If you would like to to talk\u00a0with a local expert about your senior care options, based on\u00a0<em>your<\/em>\u00a0needs and\u00a0<em>your<\/em>\u00a0budget, we\u2019re here to help. Give us a call toll-free at\u00a0<strong>(866) 592-8119<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 we\u2019re available 5am-9pm Mon-Fri and 5am-5:30pm Sat-Sun (Pacific Time).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Low-Cost Internet Helps Seniors Cross the Digital Divide These days everything happens on the internet, from reading the news and finding recipes to researching healthcare treatments and applying for benefits. Not everyone\u2019s on, though. The Pew Research Center says fewer than half of US seniors have high-speed internet at home. That\u2019s because it\u2019s costly \u2013 about $47 per month, on [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2198,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[200,234],"tags":[287,206,196],"class_list":{"0":"post-9624","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-families-caregivers","7":"category-senior-services","8":"tag-financial-assistance","9":"tag-senior-discounts","10":"tag-technology-tips-for-seniors"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Low-Cost Internet Helps Seniors Cross the Digital Divide - SeniorAdvisor.com Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Low-Cost Internet Helps Seniors Cross the Digital Divide If you or a senior you know can\u2019t afford home internet service, here\u2019s what you need to know.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Low-Cost Internet Helps Seniors Cross the Digital Divide - 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