With back to school starting all over the country, and a month away in Washington State, it's time to start getting our school supplies, including signing up for Internet Essentials. This post is in partnership with Comcast.
There were so many times last year that my now 6th grader came home from school with homework requiring him to use the a computer and the Internet. Yet so many households don't have these resources. It's not right, and Comcast is changing that.
You may have remembered last fall when I first told you about the Internet Essentials program and the impact it was making on our neighbors.
Whether the Internet is used for students to do their homework, adults to look for and apply for new jobs, seniors to keep in touch with friends and family, or veterans to access their well-deserved benefits or medical assistance, it is absolutely essential to be connected in our modern, digital age.
Keeping our kids connected so they can do well in school is so important and Internet Essentials can make that happen. Our students won't feel left behind because they can't do their homework. They won't have to spend countless hours at the library, with limited computer access, waiting to get their assignments done. That's pretty awesome, right?
Internet Essentials is now expanding
Comcast has now expanded accessibility to most expansive low cost internet adoption program in the region. This means that when my son's fellow classmates have homework using a computer, now they ALL may be able to do so, leveling the playing field.
Most people are approved in less than a week, which means you can have Internet at home AND a low-cost computer ready to go before school starts in September! That's a pretty big deal!
I'm going to be spreading the word in my community and asking my neighbors to do the same to get all kids connected!
How do I apply for Internet Essentials
Interested customers can call Internet Essentials dedicated in-language (English and Spanish) call centers and can request language services in more than 240 languages. Households can also apply online in English, Spanish, Arabic, Cantonese, Mandarin, Russian, and Somali at InternetEssentials.com. Materials for Internet Essentials are available in 16 languages.
You can start your application online at: https://Apply.InternetEssentials.com/ in English or https://Aplicar.InternetEssentials.com/ in Spanish
You can also call 1-855-8-INTERNET (1-855-846-8376) to confirm eligibility and apply
Who is eligible for Internet Essentials
Qualifying households must live in Comcast’s service area, not be a current Comcast Internet customer, and not have outstanding debt to Comcast that is less than one year old.
Internet Essentials accepts applications from households that have a student eligible to participate in the National School Lunch Program, live in public housing or receive HUD Housing Assistance, including Section 8 vouchers, or participate in the Veterans Pension Program, as well as low-income seniors and community college students in select pilot markets.
The following programs may also qualify you for Internet Essentials, with the correct documentation
- MEDICAID
- Public housing assistance (HUD)
- SNAP
- TANF
- SSI
- NSLP/Head Start
- LIHEAP
- WIC
- FEDERAL PELL GRANT: (Colorado and Illinois only)
- VA PENSION
- Tribal assistance eligibility letter, including TTANF, FDPIR, etc.
How do I get a computer from Internet Essentials
This may be one of my favorite things about Internet Essentials! Once you are an Internet Essentials customer, you have the option to purchase a laptop or desktop computer at a discounted price. The application process to buy a low-cost computer is simple. You can even choose a laptop or desktop computer, which ever is better for you or your family's needs. Your new computer is less than $150 and includes Norton Security Suite, Microsoft Windows 10 Professional, and Microsoft Office Home & Business 2010.
How Much Does Internet Essentials cost?
Internet Essentials costs about the same as a visit to your favorite coffee shop for a special treat. I can't think of any better way to treat your family then with low-cost Internet for $9.95 a month plus tax.
This includes:
No Contract
No Credit Check
No Installation Fee
In-Home WiFi
15 Mbps
Can I use Internet Essentials outside of my home?
Yes! In addition to in-home WiFi, Internet Essentials customers have access to 40 1-hour sessions of Xfinity WiFi hotspots outside the home every 30 days. This doesn't include accessing wi-fi at schools, coffee shops libraries and more! So your student can have more flexibility in his or her study plans.
Let your community know about Internet Essentials today!
I need YOUR help spreading the word. If you're reading this post, it means you have Internet access. I need YOU to tell people in your community about Internet Essentials. I need YOU to help make change and get your neighbors connected. Consider being a Internet Essentials partner in your community. Being an advocate for change at no cost to you!
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