3 min readStrapped for cash and considering CenturyLink Internet? CenturyLink doesn’t provide distinct low-income plans like some other internet providers. But you can still get a deal on CenturyLink through the Lifeline Assistance Program or the provider's offers.
Let's talk about what Lifeline is, how it can help you get a deal on a CenturyLink Internet plan, and other ways to get discounted internet for a low-income household.
Guide to low-income internet from CenturyLink:
Unlike some competitors, CenturyLink Internet doesn’t offer separate low-income plans. Instead, it allows customers using the Lifeline Assistance Program to apply their monthly discounts to the regular CenturyLink Internet plans.
The Lifeline Assistance Program is a nifty option for getting monthly low-income relief on your internet or phone service.
CenturyLink plans include the following perks:
While the Affordable Connectivity Program is now only a fond memory, there are still low-cost internet programs to help pay for these CenturyLink plans, Lifeline being chief among them.
To qualify for Lifeline, a member of your household needs to be enrolled in one of these programs:
You might also qualify if your income is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or if you live on Tribal lands and use one of these programs:
If you qualify for Lifeline, you get $9.25 each month, which you can apply to CenturyLink's internet plans.
CenturyLink sells two types of plans. Its DSL plan, called Simply Unlimited Internet, brings customers up to 140Mbps of speed through a phone line setup. And then there are the fiber plans, which I recommend over DSL—especially the 500Mbps option, although there’s also a 940Mbps plan.
CenturyLink comes with a few perks in addition to unlimited data and no contracts. If you sign up for the top-speed plan, you get free installation (a $129 value). But the best perk is the Refer and Earn program. When you refer a friend to CenturyLink and that friend signs up, you each get a $100 credit towards your bills and a $10 charity donation.
Yes, the CenturyLink Refer and Earn program is a super great deal. If you excel at getting friends to sign up, you can essentially get free internet in perpetuity. Plus, you get to donate $10 to charity on CenturyLink's dime for each referral. What's not to love?
If you don’t qualify for the Lifeline Assistance Program, you can still sign up for CenturyLink Internet plans; you just don’t get the discount. But you still get the same great plans with the same great perks.
Even without financial assistance, CenturyLink fiber internet plans are quite a good deal. In 2024, the average cost of DSL was $58.61, and the average fiber price was $81.27. CenturyLink Internet comes under both those averages.
But if CenturyLink is still too rich for your blood, no worries. There are bound to be cheaper internet options in your area.
To apply for the Lifeline discount on CenturyLink internet plans, you first need to visit the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) website. You then apply online using documentation from your qualifying program.
Once you’re approved, USAC gives you a confirmation number, which you provide to CenturyLink. CenturyLink then provides you with your monthly $9.25 internet service discount.
Even if you can’t use Lifeline with CenturyLink, there are ways to get a great deal on high-speed CenturyLink internet.
You can save $25 each month when you leave the $75 940Mbps plan in favor of the $50 500Mbps plan. Chances are, you won’t even notice the slower internet speed. Most people don’t need 900+Mbps internet speeds—500 is more typical for household internet use.
You save $10 a month when you bring your own CenturyLink-compatible modem to the service. That's $120 yearly, a significant savings (especially since CenturyLink prices its modem at $200).
Sometimes internet customers run into what we call “hidden fees”—extra charges they weren’t aware of before signing up for the service. Or CenturyLink might have straight up added a mistake to your bill. Either way, it never hurts to call up CenturyLink customer service and ask for the charge to be removed.
No, CenturyLink doesn’t offer a senior citizen discount on its internet or phone services.
You can get cheap internet with CenturyLink by applying for the Lifeline Assistance Program discount. You can also try switching to a cheaper plan, providing your own equipment, or disputing unforeseen charges.
You can get a low-income discount on CenturyLink Internet in California by going through the Lifeline application and verification process, same as anywhere else in the U.S.
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