Veterans’ lives are unpredictable; thus, they require a stable and ready internet connection to attend to any possible emergency. If you benefit from a qualifying VA pension, you are eligible for free internet for Veterans thanks to VA and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) programs. Qualifying Veteran Affairs(VA) pension individuals can also receive free internet and phone services through their eligibility to participate in two Federal Communication Commission(FCC) benefits programs, including Lifeline and the Affordable Connectivity Program(ACP).
You can get free internet for veterans through the FCC programs, which are the lifeline assistance program and ACP. If eligible through ACP, you will enjoy a one-time discount for devices like tablets and laptops, provided you contribute more than $10 and less than $50 towards the purchase. Lifeline and ACP are FCC-managed programs that assist Veterans, and low-income households in getting free internet and phone service.
The Affordable Connectivity Program(ACP) provides eligible households with a monthly discount toward internet service. On top of this, you will get a monthly internet discount of $30 for free internet for veterans. For those qualified on tribal lands, your monthly internet discount will be $75 through ACP eligibility. On the other hand, the Lifeline assistance program offers a monthly discount of $9.25 on internet services. However, eligible low-income veterans based on tribal land get a $ 34.25 monthly discount.
Veterans Affairs Programs That Qualifies You For Free Internet
Veterans can also get free internet for veterans through the following VA programs:
VA Telehealth Connectivity Support: This program is used exclusively by veterans. The program prevents mobile service data charges while using VA Video Connect on the providers’ network.
VA Telehealth: This program allows you, as a veteran, to get all-time access to the medical care team when necessary.
VA Internet-Connected Devices: The primary purpose of this program is to ensure you access your appointments on VA Telehealth by providing you with an internet-connected tablet.
Accessing Telehealth through Local Area Stations (ATLAS): This program provides the veterans’ communities with telehealth access equipped with private internet access equipped spaces. Therefore, you will not have to visit the VA clinic or use your device to attend these appointments.
Eligibility For Free Internet For Veterans Through FCC Programs
Apart from qualifying for Veterans’ free internet through VA pension programs, other Veterans also qualify based on Lifeline and the Affordable Connectivity Program eligibility. You can qualify for free internet for Veterans based on your household income level or participation in other federally supported programs.
The eligibility criteria are as discussed below:
Income Qualification For Free Internet For Veterans
ACP requires your annual income to be 200% or below the federal poverty guidelines. However, the lifeline assistance program income requirement is that your annual income should be at 135% or less of the federal poverty guidelines.
Program Participation Requirement For Free Internet For Veterans
You are qualified for free internet for veterans through FCC programs if you are a participant in any of these programs:
- Medicaid
- SNAP
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Free or reduced lunch school program and breakfast program
- WIC assistance(Women, infants and children)
- Veterans Pension or Survivor Benefits
- VA Veterans Pension
- VA Survivors Pension/ Death Pension
- Federal Housing Assistance, like public housing
- Beneficiaries from a federal Pell Grant in the current year.
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
- Tribal TANF
- Tribal Head Start (income based)
How To Apply For Free Internet For Veterans
To apply for free internet for veterans through government-assisted programs, you must verify your eligibility through the national verifier. If eligible, you can choose a service provider that offers free internet for veterans. Alternatively, you may apply for free internet for veterans directly from the government through the national verifier.
However, you must provide eligibility documents for free internet for veterans. These documents vary depending on your eligibility criteria, which are either participation or income based. Moreover, you will also provide proof that you are a veteran, like a benefits letter from the Veterans Affairs Department.
Required Documents For Free Internet For Veterans
You must be a veteran to enjoy free internet for veterans. Therefore, you must provide verification documents as proof of eligibility. These documents are listed below:
If you are eligible for free internet for veterans based on income, you will provide any of these documents:
- Prior year’s state, Tribal, or Federal tax return
- Child support award/divorce decree
- Latest employers income statement or a
- Worker’s Compensation statement of benefits
- Social Security statement of benefits
- VA statement of benefits
- A paycheck stub
- Unemployment statement of benefits
- Pension/ retirement statement of benefits
If you qualify for free internet for veterans based on participation, you will provide these documents:
- Approval letter
- Statement of benefits
- Benefit award letter
- Benefit verification letter
Moreover, you must verify your identity as you apply for free internet for veterans. You will achieve this by providing any of these documents:
- Social Security Number
- Passport
- Tribal Identification Number
- U.S. Military ID
- U.S. valid Driver’s License
Best Free Internet Providers Offering Free Internet For Veterans
Several companies offer free internet for veterans; therefore, you must be thorough while scouting for the one that perfectly meets your needs. Below is a detailed list of the best service providers for free internet for veterans:
i. Xfinity
This service provider company offers a one-time offer to veterans. You can enjoy free internet veterans with Xfinity once you subscribe. The military and veterans offer in terms of gift cards and coupons, unlike other service providers who offer monthly discounts. The internet plans offered by Xfinity are listed below:
- Internet Essentials: This plan costs $9.95 monthly and has and has a speed of 50/10 Mbps
- Internet Essentials Plus: This package costs $29.95 per month and has a speed of 100/15 Mbps
- Connect More (Performance): This package has a speed of 100/10 Mbps and costs $40 per month
- Choice Double Play: At the cost of $54.99 monthly, you will enjoy this package which has a speed of 300/10 Mbps.
ii. Verizon
You can get free internet for veterans if you are eligible. These plans are grouped into two: Discounts for existing customers and discounts for new customers. They are as listed below:
New customer Verizon Fios discount plans
- $5 discount per month on 300 Mbps
- $10 discount per month on 500 Mbps
- $15 discount per month on Gigabit Connection
Existing customers’ Verizon Fios discount plans
- $5 discount per month on 300 Mbps
- $10 discount per month on 500 Mbps
- $15 discount per month on a Gigabit connection
iii. AT&T
Only eligible military active and veterans can get free internet for veterans from AT&T. The plans offered are for 4 lines, and they are as listed below:
- Unlimited starter plan: this package costs $26.25 per line monthly and has a 3G hot spot data per line
- Unlimited extra plan: This plan costs $30 per line monthly and has 15 GB of hot spot data.
- Unlimited premium plan: This package costs $37.50 per line monthly and has 50 GB hot spot data per line.
Bottom Line
Veterans must qualify for FCC-managed programs, Lifeline assistance, and ACP to qualify for free internet veterans. Veterans are eligible for free internet through these programs if they qualify for Lifeline and ACP through income. Besides, you can also qualify based on Federal assistive programs such as Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefits, Medicaid, and others.