Houston and Dallas Internet Discounts 2026–27: Xfinity Internet Essentials, Access from AT&T, Spectrum Internet Assist and Lifeline
Home internet has become one of those bills you can't really skip. Job applications, school portals, telehealth visits and benefit renewals all assume you have a connection at home. In Houston and Dallas, the promotional prices you see advertised usually go up after the first year. Several providers run low-income programs that cut the price a lot, and a federal benefit called Lifeline can knock a little more off.
This guide covers the main options in the two metros: Xfinity Internet Essentials, Access from AT&T, Spectrum Internet Assist and Lifeline. It explains who qualifies, what they cost and what paperwork to have ready.
First, check who serves your address. Each program only works where that company already provides service. Xfinity and AT&T both say they provide home internet in Houston, and AT&T and Spectrum both list service in Dallas. Coverage varies street by street, so enter your exact address on each provider's site before you apply.
Last checked October 2026. Sources: Xfinity's Internet Essentials page and Houston service page, AT&T's Access program page and its Houston and Dallas service pages, Spectrum's Internet Assist page and Dallas service page, and USAC's Lifeline pages. Prices are what the companies posted when we checked and can change.
The Short Version
| Program | Price posted | Who qualifies (in brief) | |---|---|---| | Xfinity Internet Essentials | $14.95/mo (up to 75 Mbps) or $29.95/mo (up to 100 Mbps) | SNAP, Medicaid, housing assistance, school lunch and other programs; new Xfinity internet customers only | | Access from AT&T | Depends on your address | A qualifying program, or household income below 200% of the federal poverty guideline | | Spectrum Internet Assist | $25/mo, or $15/mo with school lunch or SSI | Qualifying government programs | | Lifeline | Up to $9.25/mo off phone or internet | SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, housing aid, VA pension, or income at or below 135% of poverty |
These can stack in some cases. Lifeline is a discount on a service you already pay for, but only participating providers offer it. Ask your provider whether it takes Lifeline.
Read the terms before you sign up. Spectrum says Internet Assist has no contracts. Check installation fees and equipment charges with any provider.
Xfinity Internet Essentials
Comcast runs Internet Essentials through its Xfinity brand, and Xfinity says it provides internet service in the Houston area.
What it costs. Xfinity lists two plans for qualifying households:
$14.95 a month for speeds up to 75 Mbps
$29.95 a month for speeds up to 100 Mbps
The program also offers low-cost computers, free WiFi hotspots and free internet training, according to Xfinity. Professional installation costs extra.
Who qualifies. You may be eligible if Xfinity Internet is available at your address and:
You take part in a qualifying assistance program, such as the National School Lunch Program, housing assistance, Medicaid or SNAP
You aren't a current Xfinity Internet customer and haven't had Xfinity Internet in the last 90 days
You have no outstanding balance on a Comcast account that's less than a year old
Xfinity's FAQ also mentions household income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level in a list of criteria. Its main eligibility section doesn't mention an income option, so if you don't get any of the listed benefits, ask Comcast directly whether income alone can qualify you.
How to apply. Apply online at internetessentials.com/apply. If you qualify through housing assistance, you upload proof under that section of the application. Xfinity's page lists 1-844-389-4681 for help.
The catch. The 90-day rule shuts out current Xfinity customers. If you already have a regular Xfinity plan, you can't just switch to Internet Essentials.
Access from AT&T
AT&T says it provides home internet in both Houston and Dallas, through AT&T Fiber or its wireless AT&T Internet Air service, depending on the address.
Who qualifies. You may be eligible if someone in your household takes part in a qualifying government program, or if your household income is below 200% of the federal poverty guideline. AT&T's list of qualifying programs includes:
SNAP and WIC
Medicaid
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
The National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program, and students at Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) schools
Federal public housing assistance or a housing voucher
LIHEAP energy assistance
Head Start and Early Head Start
TANF
A Federal Pell Grant
Veterans and Survivors Pension benefits
Several tribal programs
What it costs. AT&T doesn't post one national price. It says your monthly price and speed depend on what's available at your address. Enter your address on the Access from AT&T page to see the plans.
What to have ready. AT&T tries to verify your income automatically. If it can't, you may be asked to upload your most recent W-2 or Social Security benefit statement (SSA-1099). If you qualify through a program, AT&T lists the proof it accepts. Examples include a SNAP/EBT card, a Medicaid card, a utility bill showing a LIHEAP credit, a bank statement showing an SSI deposit, or a lease showing your housing assistance. A parent or guardian must apply for anyone under 16.
How to apply. The application is run by AT&T's verification partner. After you apply, watch for an email from verify@sheerid.com, and check your spam folder. Existing AT&T internet customers can apply too. Once approved, call 855-220-5211 to have the new price applied. (Spanish: 855-220-5225. Hours: Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Central Time.)
A wireless bonus. AT&T says eligible Access customers with AT&T Fiber or Internet Air may get a $10 a month discount on an eligible unlimited wireless plan.
Spectrum Internet Assist
Spectrum says it offers home internet in Dallas. Its low-income plan, Spectrum Internet Assist, is available to qualified households nationwide wherever Spectrum provides service.
What it costs.
$25 a month if you meet the general qualifications
$15 a month if you get one of three benefits: the National School Lunch Program, the Community Eligibility Provision of school lunch, or Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Spectrum says the plan delivers 50 Mbps speeds and includes a modem, with no data caps and no contracts. Its page also advertises an unlimited mobile line included for one year. In-home WiFi is available. Spectrum's Advanced WiFi add-on costs $10 a month.
Seniors. Spectrum says people 65 and older who receive SSI are eligible for Internet Assist.
A note on the alternatives. Spectrum also promotes a regular plan called Internet 100 at $30 a month for one year at 100 Mbps. That price is a promotion and goes up after the first year, while Internet Assist is the income-based program. Compare what you'll pay after 12 months, not just the first bill.
How to apply. Gather your benefit documents and use Spectrum's online application. Spectrum's page links to its nationwide eligibility requirements for the $25 plan. We couldn't open that list, so check it before applying.
Lifeline: The Federal Discount
Lifeline is a federal program run by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC). It doesn't give you a plan. It takes money off a phone or internet bill.
How much. Up to $9.25 a month off phone, internet or bundled service (up to $34.25 on qualifying tribal lands).
Who qualifies. You can get Lifeline if you, or someone in your household, take part in:
SNAP
Medicaid
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Federal Public Housing Assistance, including Section 8 vouchers, project-based rental assistance and public housing
Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
You can also qualify if your child or dependent is in a qualifying program, or based on income. The limit is 135% of the 2026 federal poverty guidelines:
| Household size | Lifeline income limit (2026) | |---|---| | 1 | $21,546 | | 2 | $29,214 | | 3 | $36,882 | | 4 | $44,550 | | 5 | $52,218 | | 6 | $59,886 |
Add $7,668 for each additional person. If you apply based on income, USAC says you may need proof such as a tax return or three consecutive months of pay stubs. Survivors of domestic violence or human trafficking have extra ways to qualify.
Not every company takes Lifeline. USAC keeps a list of participating providers. Call your internet or phone company and ask whether it does before you count on the discount. For help, USAC's support line is (800) 234-9473, open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern.
Which One Should You Pick?
Start with your address. Find out which companies actually serve it. In many neighborhoods you'll only have one or two real choices.
If Xfinity serves you and you're not a current customer, Internet Essentials at $14.95 is one of the cheapest options posted.
If you have AT&T Fiber at your address, check the Access price. AT&T clearly states that income below 200% of poverty can qualify you on its own.
If you're in Spectrum territory and someone in the house gets SSI or school lunch, the $15 Internet Assist rate is hard to beat.
Then ask about Lifeline to see whether you can take another $9.25 off.
Before You Apply: Documents Checklist
Proof of a benefit: SNAP/EBT card, Medicaid card, SSI award letter or bank statement, school lunch approval, housing voucher or lease showing the subsidy
Or proof of income: your latest W-2, SSA-1099, tax return or three months of pay stubs
Your exact service address and a working email address for verification messages
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