The internet is necessary in most homes, schools, workplaces, and businesses today. Most activities rely on the internet for entertainment, communication, work, and learning. However, the cost of servicing an internet bill might be too high due to some hidden costs by internet service providers(ISP). Today, more than 40 million dwellers in the U.S. still lack access to home broadband at all. Interestingly, some ISP offers internet with no credit check or deposit, making the internet a bit affordable.
Most importantly, the internet without credit checks or deposit save millions of people from price hikes, complicated installation, and added monthly fees. Usually, some internet providers run a credit check to evaluate customers’ ability to pay off internet services based on their financial history. Customers with poor credit history can still have options for home internet service without paying for a deposit or being subjected to a credit check.
If you’re struggling with some recent financial trouble and your credit score is lowly rated, there are viable ways you can get free or affordable internet services. First, you can qualify for free internet, which is free of deposit or credit checks, through enrolling for Federal Communication Commision-managed programs in the United States. These programs that offer free internet include Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity Program. Some wireless providers like Verizon offer affordable internet service without subjecting customers to hard credit checks and without paying upfront.
1. Lifeline Internet with No Credit Check or Deposit
Enrollment for this program is available to individuals qualifying based on federal or state-specific eligibility criteria. Lifeline offers an internet discount of up to a $9.25 monthly discount for eligible low-income subscribers. Or up to $34.25 monthly internet for consumers on Tribal lands. Subscribers may get a Lifeline internet discount on either a wireless service or a wireline, but not both services simultaneously. Lifeline also offers broadband Internet service and broadband voice bundles.
To participate in the Lifeline free internet program, you must either possess an income at or under 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Besides, you must participate in specific federal aided programs, including Supplemental Security Income, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Federal Public Housing Assistance, Medicaid, the Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit, or Tribal Programs.Â
To apply for Lifeline Internet with no credit check or deposit, a consumer must generally use the National Verifier application system. Consumers could seek help from a service provider like Life Wireless when applying. You can use the “Companies Near Me” website for all participating Lifeline program internet service providers in your area.
2. ACP Internet with No Credit Check or Deposit
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is another FCC-managed program recently launched during the Pandemic. The program helps low-income households afford broadband and internet-connected devices like laptops, tablets, and computers. The benefit gives a discount of up to $30 monthly towards internet service for qualifying households. You can also get up to $75 monthly for households on eligible Tribal lands.
However, only eligible consumers may enroll for ACP Internet with no deposit or credit check. Eligibility depends on income-based criteria less than or equivalent to 200% of the Federal Poverty Line. Also, you can qualify based on participation in Lifeline, Medicaid, free or reduced-price school lunch/breakfast, SNAP, WIC, or Pell Grant.
Providers of Free Internet with No Credit Check or Deposit
1. Life Wireless
Life Wireless is a participating wireless provider in Lifeline and ACP benefit program. If you’re eligible, you can get free unlimited talk and text plans with free high-speed data. However, the amount of data varies based on your state and whether you have Lifeline and ACP or ACP plan only. If your household enrolls in Lifeline and the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), you will get the following monthly:
- Free unlimited talk and txt
- Free unlimited data
- Free smartphone (or bring your own)
- Hotspot
- Call Waiting
- Caller ID Service
- No roaming charges
- Three-way calling
- Voicemail
- Free 911 Service
- No charge for domestic long-distance calls
- Affordable Recharge Plans
ISP Offering Affordable Internet with No Credit Check or Deposit
2. Verizon Wireless
You can obtain free Verizon home internet with ACP and the Verizon Forward Program. The Verizon Forward Program offers internet access discounts to customers registered in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). With ACP and Verizon Forward Program, eligible customers can obtain free internet service without hidden fees or equipment charges.
The following are the available internet no deposit nor credit check internet plans at Verizon;
i. Fios Home Internet
A) Fios 1 Gig
This plan price costs $89.99/month with Auto Pay without selecting the 5G mobile plan, ACP, and Verizon Forward Discount. With ACP and Verizon Forward discounts, you will pay $49.99/month.
B) 500 Mbps
This plan costs $69.99/month with Auto Pay without selecting the 5G mobile plan, ACP, and Verizon Forward Discount. With ACP and Verizon Forward discounts, you will pay $29.99 /month.
C) 300 Mbps
This plan costs $49.99/month with Auto Pay without selecting the 5G mobile plan, ACP, and Verizon Forward Discount. You will pay $0 per month with ACP and Verizon Forward discounts.
2. Verizon 5G Home Internet
A) 5G Home plus
This plan costs $70/month with Auto Pay, without a select 5G mobile plan, ACP, and Verizon Forward Discount. With ACP and Verizon Forward discounts, you will pay $20 /month.
B) 5G Home
5G home plan costs 50/month with Auto Pay, without select 5G mobile plan, ACP, and Verizon Forward Discount. With ACP and Verizon Forward discounts, you will get it for free every month.
3. Verizon LTE Home Internet
A) LTE Home
This plan costs $50/month with Auto Pay, without a select 5G mobile plan, ACP, and Verizon Forward Discount. With ACP and Verizon Forward discounts, you will obtain it cost-free each month.
3. Optimum
Optimum is a cable and fiber internet provider to over 20 million users across the Northeast. The company’s coverage extends to New York, New Jersey, and West Virginia. Optimum provides home internet service to users in these regions without deposit or credit checks.
Again, Optimum doesn’t issue contracts, and if you’re not satisfied, Optimum gives a 30-day money-back guarantee. You can find internet plans from $40 per month, with up to 5 Gbps download speeds. Besides, if fiber is available in your region, you can obtain symmetrical internet speeds.
The following are the no-deposit, credit-check internet plan that Optimum offers:
- Optimum Fiber
Up to 5 Gbps and unlimited data starting from $40 per month with AutoPay and Paperless billing.
- Optimum Cable
With this plan, you can obtain unlimited data and up to 940 Mbps for $40 per month with AutoPay and Paperless Billing.
Bottom Line
Everyone deserves access to fast and affordable broadband internet in this digital era, regardless of their credit history. For this reason, some providers offer Internet plans with no deposit and annual contracts with no credit check to lower the cost of internet. You can get a no-credit-check or deposit internet service at a low monthly rate without minding a credit check, a long-term contract, or paying a deposit.