How To Get Low-Income Internet Through Breezeline

Breezeline customers who benefitted from the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) will no longer get $30 off their internet bills starting this month. It’s a shame, but there are still cheap ways to get online.

Breezeline has stepped up with two affordable internet plans in 13 states. The first option, the Internet Assist Program, offers speeds up to 50Mbps for $9.99 per month. If you’ve been using the ACP, you will qualify. There’s also a $29.99 monthly plan for low-income folks called Internet Assist Plus, but you have to sign up by the end of July 2024 to qualify.

“Breezeline is committed to helping income-eligible households stay connected,” said Frank van der Post, president of Breezeline. “We know households depend on having access to affordable, reliable internet connectivity for daily living, so we want to make sure customers can easily transition to an affordable alternative to ACP.”

In addition to its two internet assist offerings, Breezeline offers another affordable plan doesn’t require low-income status. However, there are fees and price jumps to worry about. Pricing starts at $29.99 per month, but you’ll also be charged a $17.99 equipment lease fee and a $9.99 home wire service fee (whatever that is). That brings the total monthly price to $57.99. After two years, the base price jumps to $67.99 per month. At that point, it’s not clear whether there will be extra fees.

Former ACP recipients may have options from other providers too. We’ll get into the Breezeline plans, alternatives, and resources that can help you get online regardless of your income status.

What is Breezeline’s Internet Assist Program?

Breezeline’s ACP-era program was known as Breezeline Internet Assist Plus, but it is no longer available. The best alternative is Breezeline’s Internet Assist Program. If you qualify, you can get access to download speeds up to 50Mbps for $9.99 per month. That’s fast enough to pay bills, check email, get on social media, and stream video on one device at a time. For $29.99 per month, you can double the speed to 100Mbps.

The plans comes with an included modem, but you’ll have to rent a Wi-Fi router from Breezeline or buy your own. There are no contracts or installation fees to worry about.

We should mention a few caveats, though. You can’t use Breezeline’s Internet Assist Program if you have a past-due balance or have been disconnected from Breezline for non-payment within the last six months. If you are able to get the Internet Assist or Internet Assist Plus plan, you won’t be able to add TV or phone services.

How to qualify for Internet Assist

If you qualify, signing up for Breezeline Internet Assist is easy. You’ll need to enter some personal info and show proof of eligibility for at least one of the following:

• National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
• Housing Assistance
• Medicaid
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
• Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
• Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
• Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)

Fill out your info in Breezeline’s online application to check eligibility and sign up.

Other plan options from Breezeline

Breezeline’s cheapest plan that doesn’t require income-qualification is the Base Plan, with download speeds up to 100Mbps and upload speeds up to 10Mbps. That’s enough bandwidth for one or two people to stream video and work on their phones or laptops at the same time.

The Base plan is different from the Internet Assist program in two important ways. First, you don’t have to prove low-income status to qualify—anyone in the Breezeline service area can sign up. Second, you have to pay weird fees and don’t get free Wi-Fi equipment. The price skyrockets after two years.

Breezeline’s other plans offer more speed, but cost more out the gate and may go up in price even further after 24 months.

If you don’t know which plan you need, take our speed needs tool for a spin.

Low-cost Breezeline plans

What happens when the ACP ends?

The last fully funded month for the Affordable Connectivity Program was April of 2024. In May, recipients will get $7 to $16 in credit toward their monthly internet bill, rather than the full $30. Starting in June, the program will end unless Congress finds a new way to fund it.

If you’ve been using your ACP benefit, you should have gotten notices from Breezeline about your options. By now, it’s likely you’ve either chosen to discontinue service or agreed to pay for ongoing service. If you haven’t, you will lose internet access in June.

To prevent an internet shutoff, you must do the following:

• Acknowledge that you received disclosures about the ACP’s ending
• Agree to receive internet service without the ACP discount
• Pay your full bill for the upcoming month

If you decide not to continue with Breezeline, we recommend looking into other free and low-cost ways to get online.

Alternatives to the ACP

Unfortunately, Breezeline customers don’t have many options for free or subsidized internet without the ACP. Breezeline does not participate in the Lifeline program, a federal program that provides funding for either phone or internet connectivity. Enter your zip code in the Lifeline provider tool to find options near you.

Low-income customers may be able to get help with internet costs through their state, city, or county governments.

Other providers with low-income programs

Breezeline’s main competitors are other cable internet providers, satellite internet providers, and 5G home internet providers. What’s available to you will depend on your exact address, but there’s a chance you can get plans for low-income folks from the following providers:

• Spectrum
• Xfinity
• Verizon Fios
• T-Mobile 5G Home Internet
• Cox

Additional resources

We believe internet access is a necessity for modern life, and we encourage you to browse our resource library for help getting connected. The following articles are a good place to start:

• Government Programs To Make Internet Service More Affordable
• How To Get Free and Low-Cost Internet
• Best Internet Deals
• Best Internet Plans and Discounts for Seniors
• Best Internet Plans and Discounts for Students
• Best Internet for Veterans and Military Families
• Rural Internet Providers
• The End of the ACP