Mammoth AwardsLife as we know it has changed in so many ways since COVID-19 appeared. Depending on where you live, your kids may need to take online classes at home until classrooms open up again. And if you worked in an office, you may be working from home now.
What’s one thing that’s become a necessity in response to these significant life changes? The Internet, because without it, your kids can’t attend their virtual classes, and you can’t get your work done. But even though Internet may be a necessity, that doesn’t mean you can fit it in your already tight budget.
Luckily, there are ways to get the Internet service you need without paying a ton of money. We’ll discuss them now so you can get connected soon.
Verizon Lifeline Discount Program
We’ll start with the priciest of the bunch. Verizon’s Lifeline Discount Program offers Internet at a $20 discount off its regular price. This leads to a monthly payment of $19.99 plus equipment charges and taxes.
If that seems like it’s too much, keep in mind what you’re getting: 200Mbps speeds via fiber-optic technology. Why is this important? Because you may want faster speeds for other purposes beyond schoolwork and office tasks, such as streaming video or gaming.
Comcast Internet Essentials
For about half the price of Verizon’s service, you can get Internet from Comcast. The Internet Essentials program costs just $9.95 per month plus tax. With it, you don’t have to worry about a credit check or even a contract. Even better, you can get two free months of service due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Qualifying for Internet Essentials is as easy as being eligible for other forms of assistance, such as the National School Lunch Program, SNAP, SSI, or Medicaid.
Access from AT&T
The highlights of AT&T’s Access program include free installation, no deposit, and no contract. For under $10 per month, you can get reliable speeds of up to 25Mbps, which should suffice for your children’s studies and your needs.
It’s worth noting that AT&T has waived data overage fees in response to COVID-19, which is excellent news if you expect to be online a lot.
Mediacom Connect 2 Compete
This low-income Internet service caters especially to households with young students. If your child qualifies for the National School Lunch Program, you can get Mediacom’s Internet for $9.95 per month plus tax. No deposit or contract is required, and you won’t have to pay any installation or equipment rental fees either.
Your Current Internet Provider
You may have Internet service already. But since the pandemic has led to so much economic loss, you may have trouble paying your bill every month.
If this is the case, give your Internet provider a call. Let them know that you’re looking for ways to cut costs, and ask if they have any suggestions. They may have procedures in place for the pandemic that could lower your monthly bill. If not, they may be able to get you on a manageable payment plan or suggest something else so you can keep your Internet without feeling financially strained.
