Which internet providers offer EBT discounts after AT&T Access increased prices?

I switched from AT&T to the T-Mobile Home Internet plan about 3 months ago for the same reason. They have an "Internet for All" program that's $25/month if you're on SNAP/CalFresh. The connection isn't as reliable as AT&T was for me (sometimes slows down in the evenings), but it's unlimited data and the price is locked in for 2 years. You just need to show your EBT card and proof of CalFresh benefits when you sign up. I'm actually saving $5/month compared to what AT&T is charging now.

DONT GO WITH SPECTRUM!!!! They advertise a low-income program but it's a NIGHTMARE to get approved! They made me send my CalFresh verification letter THREE TIMES and still denied me saying they "couldn't verify my benefits" even though I'm actively receiving CalFresh. Complete waste of time and now I'm stuck in a regular contract paying $65/month because I needed internet for my kids' school.

The federal Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is what most providers use for these discounts. It gives $30/month to eligible households including CalFresh recipients. The good news is almost every major provider participates. The bad news is AT&T raising prices isn't illegal - they're just passing on more of the actual cost to you while still applying the ACP discount. Your best options are: 1. Xfinity Internet Essentials ($9.95 + ACP = free with 50 Mbps) 2. T-Mobile Home Internet ($50 - $30 ACP = $20/month with 100+ Mbps) 3. Verizon Fios Forward (varies by location but with ACP can be as low as $10) All require proof of CalFresh/SNAP participation. You'll need to provide your EBT card and a benefits determination letter from the county.

i just went thru this whole process last month! xfinity internet essentials is wat im using now, its $9.95 and with the ACP discount its FREE. no contract either so if they ever raise prices i can just cancel. speed is decent too, my kids can do homework and i can still watch netflix lol. just bring ur EBT card to the xfinity store and theyll help u apply

When I had issues getting through to Xfinity about their Internet Essentials program for CalFresh recipients, I tried for DAYS calling their regular customer service. Just kept getting transferred around and eventually disconnected. I finally used a service called Claimyr that helped me get through to a real person who knew about the program. You can see how it works at https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 or their website claimyr.com. They basically wait on hold for you and call when a real person picks up. Was able to get everything set up in one call after that instead of wasting hours on hold. I've been on Xfinity Internet Essentials for about 8 months now with no issues. Just remember you need to recertify your CalFresh eligibility with them annually.

has anyone tried those internet hotspot things from the library?? my cousin got one for free with her library card for 3 months but idk if it works good enough for school stuff

For the most accurate and up-to-date information on internet discounts for CalFresh recipients, I recommend checking the California LifeLine program in addition to the federal ACP program others have mentioned. Many providers participate in both programs, allowing you to stack discounts. The Digital Divide program from California's Department of Social Services also sometimes offers internet subsidies for families with school-age children. You can ask about this during your next CalFresh recertification. You may want to contact 211 (just dial 211 on your phone) as they can connect you with all available resources for low-cost internet in your specific area, since offerings vary by county and zip code.

To address your question about Xfinity and credit checks - Internet Essentials specifically does NOT require a credit check, which is part of what makes it accessible for many CalFresh recipients. They also don't check for past due balances for Internet Essentials customers. One thing to be aware of though - the ACP program that helps fund these discounts is projected to run out of federal funding by early 2026 unless Congress renews it. So while prices are good now, everyone using these discount programs might face significant increases next year.

Update: I went with Xfinity Internet Essentials! Signed up online, brought my EBT card and CalFresh approval letter to the store, and got approved right away. It's completely free with the ACP discount, and the speed is actually better than what I had with AT&T. Thanks everyone for your help! Special thanks to those who mentioned no credit check - that was a huge relief since my credit isn't great after some medical bills last year.

Congratulations on getting the Xfinity setup working! I'm in a similar situation with AT&T raising my rates. Quick question - when you went to the Xfinity store, did they help you apply for the ACP discount at the same time, or did you have to do that separately? I want to make sure I have everything ready before I make the trip to avoid multiple visits. Also, did they give you the modem/router for free or was there a rental fee?

I'm dealing with the exact same AT&T price increase nightmare! Been on their Access program for about a year and a half, and that jump from $10 to $30 really caught me off guard too. I'm a college student on CalFresh trying to finish my degree online, so reliable internet isn't optional for me. Reading through everyone's experiences here, it sounds like Xfinity Internet Essentials might be my best bet. The fact that it's completely free with the ACP discount and doesn't require a credit check is huge for me. I've been burned by other "discount" programs before that had hidden fees or required good credit. One thing I'm curious about - has anyone had issues with Xfinity's Internet Essentials speed during peak hours? I need to be able to attend live online lectures in the evenings, and my current AT&T connection sometimes slows to a crawl around 7-9 PM when everyone in my apartment complex is streaming. Would hate to switch and end up with the same problem! Also really appreciate the heads up about the ACP program potentially ending in 2026. At least that gives us some time to plan ahead if Congress doesn't renew the funding.

Just wanted to share another option that might help - I've been using Verizon's Lifeline program combined with their home internet service for about 4 months now. It's $20/month after the ACP discount (was $50 before), and the speed has been really consistent even during peak hours. The setup was pretty straightforward - I applied online and they accepted my CalFresh documentation without any issues. One thing I really like is that Verizon's customer service for their discount programs is actually helpful (unlike some horror stories I've heard about other providers). They also sent me a text reminder when my ACP recertification was coming up, which saved me from potentially losing the discount. The downside is that Verizon isn't available in all areas, so you'd need to check coverage first. But if it's available in your zip code, it might be worth comparing to the other options mentioned here. I switched from a similar AT&T price increase situation and haven't looked back!

I'm also dealing with AT&T's ridiculous price increase! Went from $10 to $30 just like you - it's honestly outrageous when our CalFresh benefits stay the same. I'm a single mom with three kids and that extra $20/month is money I don't have. I've been researching options and from everything I'm reading here, Xfinity Internet Essentials seems like the best deal. Free with ACP discount and no credit check is exactly what I need. I'm planning to make the switch this weekend. One tip I learned from my caseworker - when you apply for these programs, always ask them to email you confirmation of your application and approval. That way if there are any issues later, you have documentation. I learned this the hard way with a different benefit program where they "lost" my paperwork. Thanks for posting this - it's so helpful to see real experiences from other CalFresh families instead of just the company websites that don't tell you the whole story!