Chicago Internet Discounts 2026–27: What Replaced Chicago Connected, $9.95 to $14.95 Plans, Free Student Hotspots, and Lifeline
Updated: 7 hours ago
Chicago Connected is closed to new families, so most Chicago households now need a different route to cheap or free home internet. Here are the options for CPS families, CHA residents, seniors on SSI and any low-income household, plus the federal Lifeline discount.
AT A GLANCE
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Many Chicago families came to rely on Chicago Connected, the CPS program that gave students free home internet. In 2026 the program still exists, but only for families who are already enrolled. Chicago Public Schools says the City is funding Chicago Connected for another school year (2026–27) for current families, and that no new families can enroll at this time.
If you are not already in the program, you need a different route. This guide organizes Chicago's options by who you are: a CPS family, a CHA resident, a senior or person on SSI, or any low-income household. It finishes with the federal Lifeline discount that can lower a phone or internet bill on top of these plans.
The Short Version
Option | Price | Main eligibility | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Chicago Connected | Free | CPS families already enrolled | Closed to new families |
Astound Internet First | $9.95/mo for 50 Mbps; $19.95/mo for 150 Mbps | NSLP, housing assistance, Medicaid, SNAP, SSI and others | Not for customers with Astound service in the prior 60 days |
Xfinity Internet Essentials | $14.95/mo up to 75 Mbps; $29.95/mo up to 100 Mbps | NSLP, housing assistance, Medicaid, SNAP and others, or income at or below 200% FPL | No Xfinity Internet in last 90 days; no Comcast debt under a year old |
Spectrum Internet Assist | $25/mo, or $15/mo with NSLP, CEP or SSI | Qualifying program participation | 50 Mbps, no data caps |
T-Mobile Project 10Million | Free hotspot with 200GB a year | K-12 student eligible for school lunch (via SNAP, Medicaid, TANF, CEP and more) | Listed on CHA's internet page |
Federal Lifeline | Up to $9.25/mo off | Income at or below 135% of poverty, or SNAP, Medicaid, SSI and others | One per household |
Coverage varies by neighborhood. The Chicago Housing Authority's internet page lists Astound Internet First, Access from AT&T, Spectrum Internet Assist, Verizon Forward and Xfinity Internet Essentials as common low-cost providers in Chicago, and it recommends entering your ZIP code into a provider search first to see who serves your address.
If You Are a CPS Family
Already in Chicago Connected
You keep your service for the 2026–27 school year. The City's September 2026 announcement says the extension keeps over 28,000 CPS students connected with free high-speed internet, funded through City technology budget savings. CPS notes its Parent Tech Support Hotline has been discontinued. For service or billing problems, contact your internet provider directly.
If you are not already in Chicago Connected, you need a different route: no new families can enroll this school year.
Not in Chicago Connected
Because enrollment is closed, the best student-focused alternatives are:
T-Mobile Project 10Million. T-Mobile says a K-12 student can qualify through eligibility for the National School Lunch Program, which can be verified through programs such as SNAP (via P-EBT or EBT), TANF, the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), Medicaid, Head Start, or status as a foster, migrant, homeless, or runaway youth. The offer is one free hotspot per household with 200GB of data per year for five years, with no fees or annual re-certifications. T-Mobile labels it a limited-time offer with limited lines.
Spectrum Internet Assist at $15 a month if your household participates in NSLP or CEP (where Spectrum serves your address).
Astound Internet First or Xfinity Internet Essentials, both of which list NSLP as a qualifying program.
If You Live in CHA Housing or Use a Voucher
The Chicago Housing Authority's Internet Access page:
links to a ZIP-code provider search and to the low-cost providers above;
highlights T-Mobile's Project 10Million free hotspot for residents with K-12 children in the household, which CHA says requires qualifying through SNAP or Medicaid; and
lists (312) 913-7979 for questions about the application process.
Housing assistance itself counts as a qualifying program for Astound Internet First and Xfinity Internet Essentials, according to those providers.
If You Are a Senior or Receive SSI
Astound Internet First lists SSI among qualifying programs.
Spectrum Internet Assist says seniors 65 and older who receive SSI are eligible, and SSI recipients can get the $15 tier.
Federal Lifeline lists SSI and Veterans Pension among its qualifying programs.
For Any Low-Income Household
Astound Internet First
Astound says you qualify if you participate in assistance programs such as the National School Lunch Program, housing assistance, Medicaid, SNAP or SSI, or were previously enrolled in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). Students in federal aid programs can qualify with an award letter. Plans are 50 Mbps for $9.95 a month or 150 Mbps for $19.95 a month. One condition: you must not have subscribed to Astound in the 60 days before applying.
Xfinity Internet Essentials
Comcast says you may qualify if you:
live where Xfinity Internet is available;
qualify for programs like NSLP, housing assistance, Medicaid or SNAP, or have household income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level;
have not had Xfinity Internet in the last 90 days; and
have no outstanding Comcast debt less than one year old.
Prices are $14.95 a month for up to 75 Mbps or $29.95 a month for up to 100 Mbps. Comcast also offers customers a Dell laptop or Chromebook for $149.99 plus tax.
Stack It With Federal Lifeline
Lifeline is the FCC's monthly discount on phone, internet or bundled service from participating providers.
Amount: up to $9.25 a month (more on Tribal lands).
Who qualifies: household income at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or participation in SNAP, Medicaid, Federal Public Housing Assistance, SSI, Veterans Pension or certain Tribal programs.
How to apply: through the National Verifier online, by mail, or through a participating provider. For help, call 1-800-234-9473.
Rules: one Lifeline benefit per household; documents must be dated within the past 12 months; recertify every year.
Survivors of domestic violence or human trafficking may get emergency Lifeline support for up to six months under the Safe Connections Act.
Ask the provider you choose whether its low-income plan can be combined with Lifeline.
Before you call
Most low-cost plans accept proof of program participation. Gather the one that applies to you:
☐ a SNAP/Link approval letter or a benefit portal screenshot showing current enrollment;
☐ a Medicaid card or approval letter;
☐ a school lunch (NSLP) approval letter, or proof your child's school uses CEP;
☐ an SSI award or cost-of-living letter, or a bank statement showing the deposit;
☐ a CHA lease or voucher document for housing assistance; or
☐ for income-based eligibility (such as Xfinity's 200% FPL route), recent proof of household income.
If You Are Turned Down
"Not available at your address": check the provider search CHA links and try another provider on the list.
Recent customer: Astound requires a 60-day gap and Xfinity a 90-day gap. Ask when you will become eligible, or apply with a different provider.
Old Comcast balance: Xfinity excludes debt under one year old. Ask Comcast about the balance, or pick another provider.
Proof rejected: submit a newer document; many programs require proof from the last 12 months.
Lifeline duplicate: only one per household. Choose which service keeps it.
WHAT TO DO THIS WEEK
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More help in Chicago
Related guides
Official sources
This guide gives general information. Provider prices and eligibility rules change; confirm with the official sources above before signing up.
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