Verizon offers free or discounted internet for qualified customers

With the pending end of free internet for millions through the federal government’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), Verizon is offering qualified customers some relief. 

Using its existing Verizon Forward program, the telecom offers an additional discount for new Verizon Forward subscribers that brings the cost of home internet down to $0 per month for six months or helps existing customers get Fios, 5G Home or LTE Home internet plans for as low as $20/mo.

It’s important to know that there are upfront costs to you before you can apply to the program. A $99 installation charge must be paid. There is also a credit check, and you must first purchase and install one of Verizon’s home internet services and then apply for eligibility in the discount program. It can take one to two billing cycles until the balance is zeroed out or your discount is applied, so to start, you will be paying for the service. 

If you qualify, you can receive six months of totally free internet access from Verizon. When the six months are up, you will be charged the current price of the plan at the time. 

Verizon Forward can also be combined with other discounts, like Lifeline and the Verizon Military & Veterans Discount.

Verizon internet plan costs with $20/mo. discount

Verizon’s lowest tier plan provides up to 300 Mbps for $49.99/mo. With the Verizon Forward and Lifeline discounts, qualified existing customers can get it for $20/mo. These plans can’t be bundled with a mobile plan. The discount pricing also requires you to be enrolled in Auto Pay. 

Who is eligible for free or discounted Verizon internet?

New or existing Fios, 5G Home and LTE Home internet customers may be eligible for Verizon Forward if they meet at least one of the criteria:

• Received a Federal Pell Grant within a year before application.
• Qualified for one of these assistance programs within 180 days before application:
  • Lifeline – income is 135% or less than the Federal Poverty Guidelines or use SNAP, Medicaid, or other programs 
  • Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

Mobile prepaid customer offers

Verizon didn’t forget its prepaid customers with mobile plans. If you receive ACP benefits now, Verizon will continue those for the full $30/mo. credit through May as the program ends.

“In addition to our no-contract, no-credit check plans, Verizon will continue to lead in the Lifeline program, providing eligible individuals with mobile connectivity, at no cost, through our SafeLink brand,” announced Verizon through a press release.

“To help customers transition from ACP, we will provide at no cost 10 GBs of data (more than twice that required to participate in Lifeline) to Lifeline-enrolled customers on Verizon’s award-winning network on our SafeLink brand. We will also expand the brands to which customers will be able to apply their Lifeline discount, enabling eligible customers to purchase the services of their choosing at a discounted rate, as well as offer discounted services on additional prepaid brands.”

About Verizon

Verizon offers Fios, LTE and 5G internet connections in select areas of the East and West coasts and some parts of the Midwest and West. Fiber connections can reach up to 940 Mbps and 5G home internet up to 1,000 Mbps.

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