Internet and Phone Discounts for Older Adults: How to Lower Your Bill

The days of Ma Bell and a telephone which could also be used as a boat anchor are mostly gone. Traditional wired home telephones, phone books, and other old tech are mostly gone, too. However, access to communication has never been more important than ever, especially for older adults.

You pay for internet and phone service every month, and chances are you rely on both more than you realize. Your internet connection may be how you, or an older family member, see a doctor through telehealth, refill prescriptions, manage your bank account, and stay in touch with family.

Your phone becomes even more important in an emergency. For an adult son or daughter helping an aging parent, those connections serve another purpose. They may be how you check in every morning, join a telehealth appointment, receive a call when something goes wrong, or coordinate care from hundreds of miles away.

Those bills can add up, especially after retirement. So, is there a federal senior discount for internet or phone service? Not exactly.

No federal program discounts your internet or phone bill simply because you reached a certain age. However, low-income older adults may qualify for federal assistance, while other programs help people with hearing or vision loss. States, cities, and private companies offer additional savings.

Knowing where to look can make a noticeable difference in your monthly budget, or your parent's. The digital divide hasn't disappeared, either. About 70 percent of Americans age 65 and older have home broadband, and 78 percent own a smartphone, according to a January 2026 Pew Research Center analysis.

No federal internet or phone discount is based on age alone. Low-income older adults may qualify for Lifeline, which provides up to $9.25 a month toward eligible phone or internet service. Additional savings may be available through state programs, provider low-income plans, 55+ wireless plans, and programs for people with hearing or vision loss.

Lifeline Can Lower Your Phone or Internet Bill

The federal Lifeline program is the primary federal program providing an ongoing monthly discount on phone or internet service to qualifying low-income households. The Federal Communications Commission oversees Lifeline, while the Universal Service Administrative Company, or USAC, administers it.

As of October 2026, Lifeline provides:

• Up to $9.25 a month toward qualifying internet service.
• Up to $5.25 a month toward voice-only phone service.
• Up to $34.25 a month for eligible households on qualifying Tribal lands.

Voice-only Lifeline support remains available as of October 2026, although the FCC is reviewing future Lifeline service requirements.

You generally receive one Lifeline benefit per household. Depending on the service you choose, you can use it for broadband, mobile service, or a landline. It cannot normally be applied separately to both your home internet and another phone service.

Who Qualifies for Lifeline?

Age by itself doesn't determine eligibility. According to the Lifeline Support Center, you may qualify if you or someone in your household participates in certain federal assistance programs, including:

• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP.
• Medicaid.
• Supplemental Security Income, or SSI.
• Federal Public Housing Assistance.
• Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit.

You can also qualify based solely on income. Household income must be at or below 135 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. In the 48 contiguous states, District of Columbia, and U.S. territories, the 2026 limit is $21,546 for one person and $29,214 for two people. Alaska and Hawaii have higher limits.

One distinction causes confusion for some older adults: Social Security retirement benefits and SSI are not the same program. Receiving a regular Social Security retirement benefit does not automatically make you eligible for Lifeline. SSI is a needs-based program.

However, someone living primarily on Social Security retirement income could still qualify under Lifeline's income rules.

What if You Live With Someone Else?

Sharing an address doesn't always mean you're considered part of the same household. Lifeline looks at whether people living together share income and expenses. Eligible people living in assisted living communities, senior group homes, or other shared residences may qualify separately if they are separate economic households. USAC may require a household worksheet to document that situation.

How to Apply

You can start through the Lifeline Support Center or through a participating provider. Lifeline eligibility is reviewed annually, but that doesn't mean everyone must fill out a new application every year.

USAC first checks available databases automatically. If it confirms your eligibility, you don't need to do anything. If it can't be confirmed electronically, USAC will contact you and give you 60 days to recertify. Ignoring that notice can result in losing your benefit.

What Happened to the $30 Federal Internet Discount?

You may remember a much larger federal internet benefit. The Affordable Connectivity Program, or ACP, provided eligible households with up to $30 a month toward broadband service and up to $75 on qualifying Tribal lands.

The money ran out, and the program ended June 1, 2024. Nearly 23 million households had enrolled before funding ended. The FCC has warned consumers about websites that continue to advertise ACP enrollment or collect personal information from people trying to apply.

There is no active ACP enrollment program as of October 2026.

Can You Still Get a Free Government Phone?

You've probably seen advertisements promising a "free government phone." The federal government isn't handing out phones. These offers usually involve wireless companies participating in Lifeline. A provider applies your Lifeline benefit to an eligible wireless plan. Some companies structure their plans so your remaining monthly charge is zero. Some also provide a basic smartphone at no additional cost to new customers.

Offers, phones, data allowances, and eligibility procedures vary by provider and state. Companies participating in Lifeline include Assurance Wireless and SafeLink Wireless, among others. Before choosing a free wireless plan, think about how you actually use your connection.

If you regularly have video calls with family, use telehealth or stream video, applying Lifeline to reliable home internet may be more valuable than using it for a basic mobile plan.

Don't Qualify for Lifeline? Check 55+ Wireless Plans

Income isn't the only way to save on wireless service. Some carriers market plans specifically to adults age 55 and older. Unlike Lifeline, these plans don't require you to meet an income test.

T-Mobile, for example, offers its Essentials Choice 55+ plan nationally. As of October 2026, the advertised price is $50 a month for one line or $70 for two lines before applicable discounts, taxes, and fees. Only the primary account holder needs to meet the age requirement.

Don't assume a plan labeled "55+" is automatically your cheapest option. Smaller wireless companies that use the major carriers' networks may offer lower prices regardless of age. Compare the total monthly cost, data allowance, coverage where you live, and any fees before switching.

Hearing Loss Opens the Door to Other Programs

Hearing loss can make a phone increasingly difficult to use. Calls get shorter. Conversations become frustrating. Some people simply stop answering. Federal and state programs can help, and several aren't income-based.

• Captioned Phone Service

A captioned telephone displays the other person's words on a screen while you listen to the conversation. The service is known as Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service, or IP CTS.

The FCC's IP CTS program pays for eligible captioning through the Interstate Telecommunications Relay Services Fund. The person using the service doesn't pay for the captioning itself. Captioning can work through a dedicated telephone or compatible smartphone, tablet, and computer applications.

You must have hearing loss that makes captions necessary to use the phone effectively and must register and certify your eligibility.

There is no age requirement. Some providers supply compatible equipment or applications without charge. Depending on the equipment, an internet connection may be required.

An audiologist or hearing specialist can help determine whether captioned calling would be useful.

• Check Your State's Telephone Equipment Program

Most states have telecommunications equipment programs that help residents with hearing, speech, or other qualifying disabilities obtain specialized telephone equipment.

Depending on the state, equipment can include:

• Amplified telephones.
• Captioned phones.
• Loud ringers.
• Flashing-light signalers.
• Text telephones.
• Hands-free equipment for people with limited mobility.

Rules vary widely. Some states require certification from a hearing professional, and some use income limits. The Hearing Loss Association of America provides information about state telephone equipment programs.

Hearing and Vision Loss? Look at iCanConnect

Someone with significant hearing and vision loss may qualify for a separate federal program. iCanConnect, formerly known as the National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program, provides communications equipment and training at no cost to qualifying individuals.

The program is available in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands. Income eligibility extends to 400 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, making the program available to some households that earn too much to qualify for Lifeline.

A professional must also verify that the applicant meets the program's hearing and vision requirements.

Dial 711 for Telecommunications Relay Service

Dialing 711 from a telephone connects you with Telecommunications Relay Service anywhere in the United States. A communications assistant helps relay a conversation between someone using text communication and someone using a standard voice telephone. The service is free.

For an emergency, call 911 directly, not 711.

More Cell Phones Are Becoming Hearing Aid Compatible

Buying a new cellphone should also become easier for people with hearing aids. The FCC adopted rules requiring wireless handset manufacturers and providers to move toward 100 percent hearing aid compatibility. The requirement is being phased in. Manufacturers, nationwide wireless providers, and smaller providers have different compliance periods.

Until the transition is complete, ask your carrier to confirm that a particular device is compatible with your hearing aid or cochlear implant before buying it.

Some States Offer More Help

Federal Lifeline isn't the end of the search. A few states have expanded broadband assistance since the ACP ended.

California

California launched its three-year California LifeLine Home Broadband Pilot Program on Jan. 26, 2026. Eligible households can receive:

• $20 a month toward standalone broadband.
• $30 a month toward broadband bundled with phone service.
• Up to $39 annually toward connection charges.

Eligibility extends to households with income at or below 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines and people participating in certain public assistance programs. The state's Broadband for All website provides current program information.

New York

New York's Affordable Broadband Act requires qualifying internet providers to offer eligible low-income households broadband service at reduced prices. Qualifying plans include $15 a month for service of at least 25 Mbps or $20 a month for service of at least 200 Mbps.

Eligibility is based on participation in specified assistance programs.

New Yorkers can find eligibility and application information through ACCESS NYC.

New Mexico

New Mexico is preparing to launch one of the country's most significant state broadband affordability programs. Beginning Dec. 1, 2026, eligible households will be able to receive up to $30 a month toward broadband. Qualifying homes on Tribal lands can receive up to $70 a month.

The New Mexico Office of Broadband Access and Expansion has current information on the state's broadband affordability program.

If you live elsewhere, check your state's public utility commission or broadband office. Programs and eligibility rules can change quickly.

Lifeline Also Covers U.S. Territories

Lifeline isn't limited to the 50 states. Eligible residents of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands can also participate.

Puerto Rico has an important difference. Residents may qualify through the Nutrition Assistance Program, known as PAN, instead of SNAP. Other eligibility routes include Medicaid, qualifying federal housing assistance, Veterans Pension benefits, and the Lifeline income test.

iCanConnect also operates in the U.S. territories. Private low-income broadband options depend on which companies serve your area.

Cities and Communities May Have Their Own Options

Local programs are less common, but they can be valuable. New York City's Big Apple Connect, for example, provides free internet and basic cable service to residents of participating New York City Housing Authority developments.

San Francisco has offered free in-unit internet in participating affordable housing properties through its Fiber to Housing initiative.

Other communities provide free public Wi-Fi, computer access, technology training or hotspot lending through libraries, senior centers and nonprofit organizations.

If you can't find a program online, call 211, your local Area Agency on Aging, or your public library.

If a Parent Lives in Senior Housing, Check Before Buying Internet

Moving a parent into independent living, assisted living, memory care, or a nursing home changes the equation. Before setting up a new internet, cable or landline account — or continuing to pay an old one — ask the community what's already included.

Some senior living communities include Wi-Fi or internet access in the monthly charge. Others may have building-wide internet, television, or phone arrangements. What is included can vary not only by company but by individual community.

For example, Erickson Senior Living includes Wi-Fi, phone, and cable in the monthly service package at several of its communities. Brookdale Senior Living lists Wi-Fi or internet access among the amenities available at many locations, although amenities vary by community.

Don't assume the service is free. Its cost may be included in rent or a monthly service package, or charged through a separate technology or amenity fee.

👉Search for long-term care facilities, senior living facilities, and other extended care resources with the LTC News Caregiver Directory.

If you're helping a parent move, ask:

• Is Wi-Fi or wired internet included in the monthly fee?
• Does it work inside the apartment or room, or only in common areas?
• Is cable or streaming television included?
• Is a landline included or available at a resident rate?
• Is there a separate technology or communications fee?
• Can the resident upgrade the internet speed?
• Can the resident choose a different provider?
• Is technical support available if Mom or Dad has trouble connecting a television, tablet, or phone?
• Can family members help manage the account or contact technical support if there's a problem?
• Will the Wi-Fi support telehealth visits and other devices your parent uses?

There's another question families sometimes overlook: Does your parent still have an internet, cable, or phone account at the home they left?

When a move happens quickly after a hospitalization or health crisis, automatic payments can continue for months. Review the old bills and cancel services that are no longer needed.

Low-Income Internet Plans Can Save More Than Lifeline

Don't stop with government programs. Several internet plans for seniors are available, and major internet companies also offer low-income broadband plans, some with income limits higher than Lifeline's.

Among the programs available in 2026:

Xfinity Internet Essentials

Xfinity Internet Essentials offers qualifying customers service starting at $14.95 a month, with a faster tier available for $29.95.

Spectrum Internet Assist

Spectrum Internet Assist provides lower-cost internet for qualifying households. Eligibility is tied to certain assistance programs, including SSI in qualifying circumstances.

Access from AT&T

Access from AT&T offers discounted internet to qualifying households based on income or participation in programs such as SNAP, Medicaid, and SSI. Availability and pricing depend on the address and service available.

Verizon Forward

Verizon Forward provides qualifying customers with a discount of up to $30 a month on eligible home internet service. Verizon says the discount can be combined with federal Lifeline and, where available, certain state Lifeline benefits.

Because provider prices, speeds, and eligibility rules change, confirm current terms directly with the company before enrolling.

Can You Combine Lifeline With a Provider Discount?

Sometimes. Whether you can combine Lifeline with a company's low-income internet plan depends on the provider and program. Verizon explicitly allows Lifeline to be combined with Verizon Forward. Other companies may handle the federal benefit differently.

Ask before enrolling: "Can I apply my Lifeline benefit to this plan?"

If you don't qualify for a formal discount, call your existing provider anyway. Ask whether a lower-cost plan is available at your address and whether there are current retention or loyalty offers. Don't assume the price printed on your latest bill is your only option.

How to Find the Discounts You or a Parent Qualify For

Start with the programs most likely to save you money.

1. Check Lifeline eligibility.

If you or your parent receives SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, qualifying federal housing assistance, or Veterans Pension benefits, check Lifeline. Also check the income limit even without another assistance program.

2. Decide where Lifeline helps most.

Compare using the benefit for home internet versus mobile or landline service.

3. Ask the current internet company about its low-income plan.

You or your parent may qualify even if income is too high for Lifeline.

4. If your parent lives in senior housing, ask what's already included.

Check the monthly statement or residency agreement before ordering separate internet, cable, or phone service.

5. Check state and local programs.

Your state utility commission, broadband office, Area Agency on Aging, 211 service, and public library are good places to start.

6. Treat hearing-related assistance separately.

Captioned telephone service and many state equipment programs aren't tied to Lifeline.

7. Watch for Lifeline eligibility notices.

USAC automatically verifies many subscribers. If it can't verify continued eligibility, respond to its recertification request within 60 days.

Free Help Learning to Use the Technology

Saving money on internet service doesn't accomplish much if you're uncomfortable using it. Senior Planet from AARP offers free technology assistance and classes designed for older adults. You don't need to be an AARP member to participate.

Your public library and Area Agency on Aging may also offer free technology classes, device assistance, and internet-access programs.

Watch for Scams — Especially When Helping a Parent

Free phone and internet offers attract scammers, and an older adult may not recognize the difference between an authorized Lifeline provider and someone simply asking for personal information.

Keep a few rules in mind:

• Applying for Lifeline is free.
• Start through LifelineSupport.org or a provider you know.
• Be cautious about unsolicited calls, texts, emails, or people approaching you or your parent to enroll.
• The standard Lifeline application currently asks for the last four digits of a Social Security number or a Tribal identification number.
• Don't give a Medicare number, bank information, or full Social Security number to someone who unexpectedly contacts you about free phone or internet service.
• ACP enrollment ended in 2024. Treat with caution any website claiming it can enroll someone in the federal ACP today.
• Lifeline generally allows one benefit per household.

The FCC has proposed changes to Lifeline's identity-verification rules, including potentially requiring a full nine-digit Social Security number. That is a proposal, not the current application requirement as of October 2026.

If you're helping a parent apply, use the official Lifeline website rather than responding to an unsolicited offer.

Staying Connected Matters to the Whole Family

Saving $20 or $30 a month is useful. Staying connected can be even more important. A reliable phone and internet connection can help an older adult schedule medical appointments, use telehealth, receive medication reminders, communicate with family, and use connected emergency-response and safety devices.

For adult children, that connection can become part of caregiving.

You may live 10 minutes away or 1,000 miles away. A phone or video call may be how you realize Dad doesn't sound like himself, Mom isn't feeling well, or something at home isn't right.

About 63 million Americans — roughly one in four adults — provide ongoing care for a loved one, according to the 2025 Caregiving in the U.S. report from AARP and the National Alliance for Caregiving. Family caregivers often do far more than provide hands-on help. They schedule appointments, manage bills, arrange transportation, communicate with physicians, nurses, therapists, and care teams, coordinate paid caregivers, and respond when something changes.

Many older adults never purchased Long-Term Care Insurance, so family members shoulder the full responsibility of caregiving and managing care. Today, most people purchase an LTC policy before they retire. While plans are available even into the 70s and beyond, the cost and underwriting rules may make it much harder to obtain coverage. Thus, families must find ways to address all the issues of aging parents, including communication costs.  

Take the Next Step

Start with the monthly phone and internet bills — yours or your parent's.

Check Lifeline eligibility. Then ask the current provider about its low-income program or other available discounts. If your parent lives in a senior community, ask what's already included before paying another company for internet, cable, or phone service.

If hearing has become a problem, investigate captioned calling and your state's telephone equipment program separately.

Then look beyond the phone bill. Saving $20 or $30 on internet or phone service won't pay for long-term care or fix a limited budget. But eliminating an unnecessary bill, finding a legitimate discount, and keeping a parent connected are simple steps that can make life easier for the whole family.