Free & Discounted Internet

Man using a laptop to surf the internet

How much can I save with this program?

With this program, you can expect to save an average of $420 annually.

Low-cost internet programs

The following companies offer low-cost, high-speed Internet in Seattle, all for approximately $10 a month. With help from these programs, you can search for jobs, do your homework, pay your bills, check your email, watch short video clips, download music, and much more. You can also purchase laptops, desktop computers, and tablets starting at $109, and qualify for a discounted smartphone plan as well. 

See below for contact and general information for each of these offerings. 

For more information, please contact the Digital Equity Team at (206) 684-8498 or by email at digitalequity@seattle.gov.

Seattle residents can apply online for Astound's Internet First prgram at https://civiform.seattle.gov/programs/astound:or by downloading this form packet . Questions? contact digitalequity@seattle.gov  or call (206) 684-8498

Open to current or new Astound Broadband customers. Must live in an area where Astound is available.

  • $9.95/month + tax
  • Service level 50/5 Mbps speeds
  • Free installation and standard WiFi.
  • No credit checks, contracts or equipment rental fees.
  • Free installation and in-home Wi-Fi

Eligibility includes:

  • Qualify for the Seattle Utilities Discount Program; or
  • Qualify for low-income subsidized housing; or
  • Have a child who qualifies for the free or reduced school lunch program

INTERNET ESSENTIALS FROM XFINITY

Contact (855) 846-8376 or visit https://www.xfinity.com/learn/internet-service/internet-essentials/apply

·        $9.95/month unlimited internet (speeds up to 50Mbps) + tax.

·        No term contract or credit checks. Free installation and in-home Wi-Fi included.

·        Eligible households must reside in an area serviceable by Comcast

·       Not eligible if household had Xfinity Internet service within the last 90 days or has recent unpaid Comcast bills (less than one-year old).

Eligibility includes households in public assistance programs such as: 

o   National School Lunch Program

o   Public Housing Assistance

o   Medicaid / Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

o   Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

o   Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit

 

 

The Verizon Forward program provides qualifying customers with home internet services at a discounted price as low as $20/mo.

Contact 800-922-0204 for 5G Home Internet or visit www.verizon.com/discounts/verizon-forward/

Eligibility for the service includes households that:

  • Qualified for one of these assistance programs within 180 days prior to application:Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)
  • 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)
  • Received a Federal Pell Grant within a year prior to application.

The LifeLine program is a federal program that offers up to $9.25 a month off phone, internet or bundled phone and internet services. To learn more and apply visit LifeLine Support

You may qualify for Lifeline if your household income is up to 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or if you or someone in your household participates in certain federal assistance programs like SNAP and Medicaid.

Find service providers who participate in Lifeline with the Companies Near Me tool. 

A nonprofit providing affordable computers and internet to low-income individuals and nonprofits, as well as secure e-waste recycling services to businesses.

Contact (877) 450-8585) or visit https://www.pcsforpeople.org/internet/

Internet service includes:

  • High-speed 4G LTE internet service solutions starting at $15/16 per month
  • Service plans are prepaid with no credit checks
  • No hidden fees or rental equipment

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Households participating in a government-based assistance program
  • Have a qualifying household income (less than 200% of federal poverty guidelines or 60% of area median income).  

Access for All Free Internet Connections for Non-Profits 

The City of Seattle can help eligible local non-profit organizations get a free internet service connection. We are able to do this through partnership agreements with Comcast, Astound, and Lumen. These free internet connections are provided as part of efforts to ensure that all residents have the technology access and skills that are necessary for employment, lifelong learning, civic engagement, and cultural participation.

Access for All

Apply if your organization needs internet service and is:

  • A non-profit organization.
  • Providing technology and/or digital literacy services to underserved, low-income, or vulnerable populations. 
  • Located in the city of Seattle.
  • In a location that is serviceable by Comcast/Xfinity, Astound, or Lumen.

The following types of organization are not eligible for the Access for All Program:

  • Individual businesses.
  • Groups based out of a private home.
  • Political organizations.
  • Universities.
  • Hospitals (Note: Community Health Clinics are eligible).
  • Private schools (Note: if your students are from underserved communities, you may still be eligible).

Not sure if your organization/program meets Access for All requirements? Contact us to explore eligibility!

Already have internet service to your site (and not on a term contract)? Contact us to explore conversion to an Access for All account.

How to Apply:

  • Applications are accepted through the City’s FLUXX portal
  • Create a Fluxx account and add your organization to the application.
  • A basic guide on applying in Fluxx is here. Note: Use the Chrome browser for a better experience with Fluxx.  
  • Send questions on applying to digitalequity@seattle.gov

What Happens Next?

Review/Approval: We’ll review your application and send you any questions we have. If everything looks good, we’ll pass the application on to the internet service provider to make sure their network can serve your location and set it up service.


Confirmation: We'll contact you to let you know if your site is eligible and which internet service provider can provide service to your site.


Installation: You'll be notified by the internet service provider when they'll be installing your internet connection.  Sometimes the internet provider needs to do a site survey before installation can be scheduled, or there can be construction-related problems that will delay the installation timeline. If there are no construction-related issues, the free service installations normally happen within 30-45 days. 

Contact us to learn more about the Access for All program!

Email digitalequity@seattle.gov

Call (206) 684-8498

Note: The City reserves the right of final eligibility determination based on our priorities for service delivery and the need to ration a limited number of free connections each year. We also reserve the right to modify these guidelines.

Information Technology

Rob Lloyd, Chief Technology Officer
Address: 700 5th Ave, Suite 2700, Seattle, WA, 98104
Mailing Address: PO Box 94709, Seattle, WA, 98124-4709
Phone: (206) 684-0600
Phone Alt: Cable TV & Internet Discount Information: (206) 684-8498
SeattleIT@seattle.gov

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