1. Government Assistance Programs
Lifeline Program: Offers eligible low-income households (including many seniors) up to $9.25/month discount on internet or phone services—or up to $34.25/month for those on Tribal lands (Senior Planet from AARP, SmartMove.us).
Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP): Previously offered substantial broadband subsidies (up to $30 or $75 for Tribal households), but ended in June 2024 (Wikipedia).
2. Look for Special Senior Plans
Some ISPs offer bargain-priced plans starting around $9.95/month, particularly for low-income customers, which many seniors qualify for (The Senior List).
Verizon’s "Forward" program also provides discounted rates—sometimes as low as $20/month—and waives data caps or contracts for qualifying individuals (Elder Life Financial).
3. Shop Smart & Adjust Your Services
Pay only for the speed you need; many seniors find 10–25 Mbps sufficient. Reducing unnecessarily high speeds can slash your bill (HighSpeedInternet.com).
Switch providers or negotiate better rates using competitors' offers as leverage (SoFi).
4. Reduce Your Equipment Costs
- Avoid renting modems or routers—buy your own to save roughly $5–$10/month in rental fees (InMyArea.com).
5. Bundle or Eliminate Services
- Bundle internet with phone or TV services for discounts; or conversely, cut cable entirely and switch to streaming solutions if that’s cheaper (HighSpeedInternet.com, InCharge Debt Solutions).
6. Use Negotiation & Bill-Cutting Services
- A friendly but firm call to your provider can result in discounts, perks, or promotional deals—especially if you mention switching providers (TIME).
- BillFixers is a service that negotiates bills on your behalf and claims an average saving of $300/year (Wikipedia).
Quick-Saving Checklist for Seniors
| Step | What to Do |
|---|---|
| 1.Disount | See if Lifeline discounts apply (SmartMove.us) |
| 2. Find low-cost plans | Compare options like Internet Essentials or Verizon Forward (The Senior List, Elder Life Financial) |
| 3. Review your speed needs | Lower your plan if you don't need high speeds (HighSpeedInternet.com, Allconnect) |
| 4. Use your own equipment | Save by buying instead of renting routers/modems (brightbridge.com) |
| 5. Bundle or simplify | Bundle for discounts, or eliminate unused services (HighSpeedInternet.com, InCharge Debt Solutions) |
| 6. Negotiate or outsource | Call the provider—or use a service like BillFixers (TIME, Wikipedia) |
Ready to Validate?
- Lifeline Assistance: Learn more and apply via USA.gov (USAGov).
- Discounted Plans: Explore options on The Senior List (The Senior List).
- Government Broadband Aid History: Review the ACP on Wikipedia (Wikipedia).
- Bill Negotiation Tips: Read expert advice on negotiation from TIME (TIME).
- Third-Party Help (BillFixers): See more details on Wikipedia (Wikipedia).