Free or Cheap Cable TV For Low-Income Families And Seniors – Cable TV and the Internet are basic services that are required by everyone including senior citizens. Even though the federal government of the United States of America provides free phone services, senior citizens and less fortunate individuals do not access cable TV and Internet services free of cost.
Without a free program, the only alternative for senior citizens and low-income families is to look for inexpensive cable television. Fortunately, a lot of Cable TV providers are offering special rates or discounts to senior citizens and low-income families and providing them packages that suit their budgets. Finding affordable Internet and cable TV solutions for senior citizens can be challenging yet it is possible. This guide will throw light on how you can find the best cable TV and Internet package for senior citizens and other vulnerable families.
Highlights of this Post
How Much Does A Cable TV Cost For Senior Citizens?
Elderly people and senior citizens can expect to pay less than $50 each month to get a basic TV package from their cable operator. Even though you may not watch all 100 channels at a basic rate, getting access to national and local news stations is possible for senior citizens without all the bells and whistles.
A robust TV package with hundreds of channels to serve and additional perks can cost somewhere between $60 to $90 depending on the cable TV provider and the package you are choosing.
No matter which cable TV operator you are choosing or the package you have selected you need to pay attention to the monthly bill every year. A lot of cable TV providers offer special rates or discounts for new customers for the initial few months and then start charging regular or higher rates after 12 months.
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How To Get The Best Cable TV And Internet Deals For Seniors?
Seek For Senior Discounts
Senior citizens who are looking for ways to save money on cable TV and Internet must check with their cable operator before purchasing any plan. There are good chances to get discounts for AARP members or senior citizens in the United States of America. On signing up with TV service online cable TV advisors will help you to know the services and discount liens available with them.
Free Or Limited Time Trial Offers
Senior citizens can ask about limited-time or free trial offers that a lot of cable TV operators or streaming services provide. For instance, DIRECTV Stream provides a free five-day trial.
Compare Quotes From Multiple Cable Operators In Your Local Area
While searching for affordable Internet and cable TV plans for senior citizens it is important to shop around and compare prices from multiple cable operators in your local area. There are various deals and offers out there and you need to grab them by researching thoroughly and making sure the plan you choose aligns with your budget and needs.
Learn About New Customer Discounts And Promotion
A lot of time new customer promotion and discount deals get overlooked. You can ask your cable operator about cable discounts for senior citizens that can help you to save a few dollars or about a few freebies from creditor upgrades on your bill. Asking for customer promotions and discounts will help you to save few dollars.
Get Basic Cable Package
It can be tempting to get the best and biggest plan with all the whistles and bells when you’re getting a new TV service installed at your home. However, being a money-conscious senior citizen it is best to get a basic or small cable package and only upgrade when you find it necessary.
Cancel Premium Channels
A lot of satellite and TV providers through premium channels for free. Although the low-cost cable plans for senior citizens comprise free channels for a period of three or more but if you want to cut the cost you can cancel a premium challenge before the free trial comes to an end.
Learn About Seasonal Promotions
On signing up for a new TV cable service you need to check with deals or seasonal promotions that are available around the holiday season. For instance, Black Friday, Labor Day, The 4th of July, and Memorial Day provide great deals on equipment channels that can save you around $500 in a month.
Sign A Contract
Although signing a year or more contract can seem overwhelming or intimidating for a lot of senior citizens it can help them to get monthly rates and discounts. If you don’t have any plans to switch your cable provider or cancel service in future then signing a contract can help you save money in the long run.
Build Your Own Plan
A lot of cable operators such as Xfinity provide their own plan option so that senior citizens can save money on their monthly bill or customize their entertainment selection.
Bundle Your Cable Service With The Internet
A lot of cable TV operators offer Internet service to customers. To get the best deal and discounts on your cable TV and Internet you can bundle the services and get advantage of both the services from the same provider while saving money every month.
Ask For Military Discounts
A lot of cable TV operators provide military discounts to military members and veterans and this will help you make your ends meet. If you are a veteran you can call the customer service representative of the cable operator you are hiring and see if they have a special military discount.
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What Are The Best Cable TV And Internet Deals for Senior Citizens?
Senior citizens and low-income families are entitled to seek entertainment like any other family. Watching television is the most common type of entertainment that people can afford. Following is the list of the best and cheapest cable TV for senior citizens and low-income people if they’re looking for affordable cable TV solutions.
Cox Affordable Cable TV Plans for Low Income
If you are looking for the cheapest cable TV plans for low-income families and also senior citizens, then Cox is the best affordable cable TV plan for low-income families. The plan starts from just $25 per month, and you can get over 70 channels for just $25. . Even if you have Cox’s affordable cable TV plan, you also get a powerful Record 6-HD DVR, that is nearly $19.99 per month and it is more than the average DVR
Pros
- Cox is the best affordable package TV plan for low-income families and also senior citizens.
- Even in this plan, they offer Superior DVR and you get a powerful Record 6-HD DVR.
Cons
They offer a Superior DVR that records many shows but the DVR is expensive
Optimum Affordable Cable TV Plans for Low Income
Optimum affordable cable TV plans are another best cable TV provider service that offers affordable cable TV plans for low-income families, senior citizens, and as well as needy people so that they can have entertainment. The core plan can get over 220 channels for just $59.99 per month.
Pros
- In this plan, you can also use the recording feature.
- There are you have to need to sign the contract because they do not make contract-based service mandatory
- In this plan, you can get great coverage of sports channels.
Cons
But these premium services are available in just 3 states.
Comcast Affordable Cable TV Plans for Low Income
Comcast affordable is another best cable TV plan for low-income families and seniors. Comcast cable service provider offers cable services and plans through the Xfinity cable.
Comcast has provided a few packages like the Internet Essential plan for just $9.95 per month which also includes taxes. Here you can get 15.2 Mbps high-speed internet service through this plan.
Pros
- The best thing is they don’t charge any rental fees or activation fees.
- Comcast affordable cable has cheap cable TV Plans.
Cons
- The basic channel is the news channel; it is essential for the package.
- The basic package is limited to just seniors who are above the age of 62 years.
Dish TV
A good option for low-income individuals, organizations and senior citizens who are looking for inexpensive cable TV packages that can meet their budgets is Dish TV. This cable TV network offers services and solutions for only $59.99 each month. Dish TV Flex TV brand offers cable TV packages including free HBO for the initial three months of subscription.
Pros
- Dish TV is the best affordable package TV plan for low-income families and also senior citizens.
- The best thing is Dish TV offers more channels for less price.
Cons
If you want HD channels, then they charge additionally for HD channels.
You can read more about that: How to get free government internet for low income
Xfinity Cable TV Plans
Xfinity is another most popular or well-known cable TV service provider. Xfinity Affordable Cable TV Plans offer cheap cable TV plans for low-income families and also senior citizens. In this plan, their basic package starts from just $49.99 per month and you can get 140 channels and a 12-month contract.
Even if you have an Xfinity affordable cable TV plan, you also get a powerful Record DVR, but the DVR is average. DVR can constitute over 100 hours of HD recordings and where you can also record up to 6 shows at one time.
Pros
- They have some affordable cable TV packages for low-income families and senior citizens.
- The best thing is Xfinity offers a strong X1 DVR.
- In this plan, there are no contract-based plans involved.
Cons
- They charge additional fees.
- The customer service of Xfinity is not exactly the best of all time.
Spectrum low income cable tv
Spectrum is another best one of a well-known cable service provider. Spectrum cable TV plans extend their services to low-income families, senior citizens, and also needy people.
You don’t need to sign a multi-year contract to join the network. It means you will be able to switch to any other cable TV service anytime when you want to do it.. Spectrum Affordable Cable TV Plans provide you with a DVR when you subscribe to their service. And this superior DVR offers you 75 hours of HD storage and also provides features for recording two shows simultaneously.
Pros
The best thing is you don’t need to sign up for any contracts.
The Spectrum Cable TV packages are affordable for low-income families, needy people, and senior citizens
Cons
- Spectrum cable TV plans might charge hidden costs.
- This plan provided you with a DVR that is not up to the mark
AT&T U-Verse Affordable Cable TV Plans for Low Income
AT&T U-Verse is the best TV network that offers High Definition service-ready DVR and which is also capable of recording four shows at one time. You can also store over 165 hours of HD or 460 hours of SD content and it is through the Total Home DVR. AT&T U-Verse is an easily affordable cable TV plan for low-income families, and needy people.
Pros
- You can get a free DVR with all the AT&T Cable TV Plans.
- They have also provided an app that is compatible with many devices.
Cons
The plan is not available nationwide.
DIRECTV
DIRECTV offers one of the best streaming packages. Even though it is not a traditional cable TV service it has made cable TV a lot more affordable for seniors who are interested in foregoing traditional cable television and want to stream their shows with the help of an Internet connection.
- DIRECTV provides streaming packages and satellite at just $64.99 each month with the following options:
- Unlimited cloud DVR storage for recording your favorite programs
- Movie channels such as Cinemax, HBO Max, Starz and Showtime for seniors who love to watch movies
- Regional sports etc.
- Unlike traditional cable services, DIRECTV requires a robust Internet connection or a satellite to facilitate Optimal viewing. It also provides streaming packages and Latino TV satellite.
Pros
- Unlimited cloud DVR storage
- Price guaranteed for the initial two years
- Free premium movie channels for the initial three months with selected packages
- Can bundle with AT&T Internet in few areas
- Stream TV on the go with the DIRECTV app
- Provides Spanish packages as well as international TV channel add-ons.
Cons
- Activation as well as early termination fees can apply for a few plans
- Require high-speed Internet for usage
- Extra ARS and regional sports fees can apply to a few packages
- Satellite packages need 24 month agreement
- Price can be quite expensive
Xtreme
Senior citizens who want to bundle their cable TV service and Internet can opt for Xtreme. It is powered by Mediacom and is considered to be one of the best Internet and cable TV service providers. You can select from three cable TV plans: local TV, variety TV and essential TV.
The most inexpensive plan by extreme costs around $29.99 each month and enables people to get more than 50 channels of Internet service with speeds up to 100 MBPS as well as TiVo. The Xtreme premium package also comprises home phone services and is a perfect plan for anyone who wants to keep a landline.
Pros
- Good cable and Internet TV bundles
- The starting price of the plan is affordable
- TiVo DVR included
Cons
- Cannot purchase a standalone cable TV and have to purchase Internet as well
- Limited nationwide availability
- Price may increase after the first year
What Speed Internet Do Senior Citizens Need?
Senior citizens do not need ultra-fast Gigabit Internet speed to make their daily ends meet. The basic streaming and web browsing speed can be tackled with lower-tier Internet plants in the 25 to 200 MBPS range. Following is the estimated Internet speed requirements for senior citizens and elderly people.
- Streaming HD videos 5 to 25 MBPS
- E-mail and web browsing 1 to 10 MBPS
- Large households with several streams of more than 100 MBPS
- Smart home devices 25 to 100 MBPS
- Video calling with a few people 10 to 50 MBPS.
To choose the best Internet plan for a senior citizen you can follow the below steps:
- Estimate your Internet speed needs by considering the online activities that you do every day for instance web browsing, streaming, video calls etc.
- Compare the connection types with multiple service providers. For instance, fiber optic plans can provide reliable and faster speeds than DSL-based plans
- Look for senior discounts and low-cost plans
- Consider bundling services to get discounts on advanced Wi-Fi and TV
- Check for fees and contracts because contracts can provide better rates for senior citizens but reduce flexibility. On the other hand equipment fees in your contract for cable boxes and routers will add more cost.
How Do I Qualify For Low-Income Internet?
Senior citizens can qualify for low-income Internet by seeking assistance from the federal government. The Affordable Connectivity Program ACP can help them save somewhere between $30 to $75 every month.
The Affordable Connectivity Program was introduced in 2021 by the Federal Communication Commission by replacing the old emergency broadband benefit program so that low-income households in America can afford Internet for school, work or healthcare needs. The cost is up to $30 each month which qualifying households have to pay towards Internet service.
The Lifeline Program on the other hand can help them to save $9.25 to $29.25 each month. In case you do not qualify for low-income Internet then you need to look for cheap Internet service for your home through providers like Infinity, Cox etc. The Lifeline is a government assistance program that assists low-income households including senior citizens and offers less savings compared to a ACP program, however you can save money in the long run.
The eligibility criteria to qualify for government assistance low income Internet service are as follows
- Must meet the income and household size requirements
- Must participate in federal assistance programs like Medicare, SNAP, WIC, National School Lunch Program, public housing assistance program or tribal specific programs like Tribal Temporary Assistance For Needy Families Program.
Also read: Free Money For Seniors From Government – Hardship Grants for Seniors
Conclusion
Senior citizens need not completely give up on cable TV to save money. Selecting a small number of channels or bundling services can help them to get the most entertainment package for inexpensive rates. A majority of cable TV and Internet providers assist low-income families and senior citizens with exclusive deals and bundle options that help them to cover their subscriptions and make ends meet.
Check out the rest of the Get Government Grants resources if you need more information on government and private assistance programs to help with your living situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can seniors get a discount on cable?
Yes, senior citizens can get discounts on Cable TV Packages because many cable TV providers have various packages and programs for seniors. For example, Comcast’s affordable cable TV plan has a low-income program for seniors who are more than 62 years.
What is the cheapest cable TV package?
There are many cable TV plans that offer the cheapest cable TV. First, the cheapest cable TV package is offered by Cox at $25 per month. Xfinity Choice Limited TV also offers a basic package of $30 per month and Spectrum offers a basic package of $29.99.
What is the best alternative for cable TV?
Internet streaming is the best alternative to cable TV. Because this offers a lot of variety and options to choose from along with a cheap alternative to cable TV.
What channels do you get on basic cable?
If you want to get on a basic cable TV package, then you can get channels such as FOX, PBS, ABC, and CBS, and also you can get other similar public-access local channels.
