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AT&T Is Connecting Those in Need With Internet for as Little as $5/Month

Tyler Omoth

by Tyler Omoth

People pass an AT&T store on New York's Madison Avenue.
People pass an AT&T store on New York's Madison Avenue. Richard Drew/AP Photo

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In today’s world, the internet is no longer a luxury.

It’s where you get your news, search and apply for jobs, find coupons for your grocery shopping, and if you have kids, do homework research. Not to mention check out Grumpy Cat. Where would we be without him?

But for those who are struggling just to put food on the table and keep the lights on, the idea of adding another bill for internet can seem impossible. AT&T now has a program designed to help those who need it most get affordable internet in their home with Access from AT&T.

What Is Access From AT&T?

Access from AT&T is a discounted internet plan for people who qualify. To qualify for the plan, the household must:

  • Have at least one resident who participates in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
  • Be in AT&T’s 21-state service area for wireline home Internet service.
  • Have no outstanding debt for AT&T internet service within the last six months or outstanding debt incurred under this program.

In California, households that have at least one member who receives Supplemental Security Income benefits may also qualify if they meet the same requirements that apply to SNAP recipients.

The plan’s speeds are slower than most customers receive. For $10 per month, customers can get speeds of 10 Mbps or 5 Mbps, depending on their location. For $5 per month, Access AT&T offers speeds of 3 Mbps, 1.5 Mbps or 768 Kbps.

While these plans don’t provide blazing internet speeds, they still allow you to connect to the internet to use email, check news, and even hunt and apply for jobs. Plus, the kids can do research for those essays due at the end of the semester.

Keep in mind that we’re not in the dial-up age anymore. According to Netflix, its movies and shows will stream in high definition if your connection is 5 Mbps or faster.

Access AT&T is not available in every state; currently, the program services 21 states. You can find out if your state is one of them by heading to the Access AT&T website.

Regular internet service plans can easily run $40 or more, and some options go up to $85 for those who want top-of-the-line service. Access AT&T is an option for those who need to focus on putting food on the table and paying the rent, but still want to keep their family connected. To see if you qualify, simply fill out AT&T’s form.

Tyler Omoth is a senior writer at The Penny Hoarder who loves soaking up the sun and finding creative ways to help others. Catch him on Twitter at @Tyomoth.