Get help with paying Cable TV bills.
There are several cable TV assistance programs. While direct financial help is not that common, there are payment plans from cable companies, low-income government assistance programs that cover cable use, and other steps to take, such as negotiated plans. Find how to get help with cable TV costs.
In addition to payment plans, cable bill forgiveness and government benefits such as Lifeline or Emergency Broadband, of the simplest, quickest, and easiest ways to save money on your cable TV bills, and a number of other everyday living expense, is to simply call the company and ask for a better price. Another option is to “cut the cord” to save money, which means in effect cancel your cable TV and use a streaming service if you still want to watch content. Look into these assistance programs for Comcast Xfinity, Charter, Dish, and other providers.
Cable Company assistance programs
Some cable companies offer low-income cable TV or internet programs for qualifying customers. This often comes with a discounted cable TV package too. Or is a company offers an assistance program for internet, such as Comcast’s Xfinity Internet Essentials Charter’s Spectrum Internet Assist, you can always just watch a streaming service on the discounted high speed broadband and do not even get a cable TV package. Find details on free government service Xfinity.
Most of these companies require the applicant to be on some form of government benefits, such as SNAP food stamps, LIHEAP, Lifeline or Medicaid. In general, a cable company assistance program also tend to be focused on senior citizens, students or the disabled - homebound. Even if a special low-income family program is not offered, most cable companies will negotiate payment plans on past due bills.
Utilize government assistance programs for cable television service
Assistance is offered for Cable TV in the form of government benefits that pay for broadcast access. While government benefit programs are not focused on just offering cable TV, there are some ways to get assistance with cell phones, laptops, and other communication devices. This will either allow a family to access online TV channels or the program can be bundled with other programs.
- Lifeline is a federal program provides a monthly discount on broadband or phone services to eligible low-income consumers. As noted, this will have the indirect benefit or helping a low-income family, student or senior get some form of cable TV bill help. More on Lifeline assistance program free phone.
- Cable TV assistance may be offered by the ACP program, also known as Affordable Connectivity. Most phone, broadband and Internet companies provide this to low-income families or people with no money. ACP from AT&T, Comcast, Verizon, Cox, Charter and other companies is offered to families on public assistance and/or that have a low-income. Find how to get ACP benefits.
- Low-income computers, including free laptops or desktops, will help people get Cable TV service. There are some government programs, including Lifeline, which may allow a family on public aid to get a device. Again, this is an indirect form of assistance for cable TV, as the household can then either get a cheap cable TV plan or streaming service. Find programs that offer free laptops near you.
Negotiate with cable TV providers
As far as renegotiating a lower price, this is even easier to do, and more effective, when it comes to certain cable companies that are offering you discounts to try to lure you away from their competitors. Keep tabs on special deals that cable companies are offering. If you find a better deal, use this information to negotiate with your current provider or consider switching. However, be cautious of hidden fees or clauses that may be present in the contracts of new providers.
As an example of how just calling the company can help help a family save on their bills, if you simple call you provider to complain about the price or qulity service you can often get a discount. Just talk to customer service about say an offer/advertisement from a satellite TV company, such as Dish or Direct TV. Or mention you may be thinking about canceling the cable TV subscription (or not renewing it) to use a streaming service.
Most cable TV companies will offer help in these cases. They will generally give you a discount on a monthly bill to try to keep you on their plan. Using that advertisement, you may be able to save $30 to $100 a month for multiple months. Just ask. It will take just a few minutes on the phone to save money on Cable TV expenses.
While it may not always be the most comfortable asking for a discount on your Cable TV bills or asking for a cheaper service, especially doing it the first few times, it does work. One thing that can lesses the discomfort is realizing it is done over the phone. Since you are calling your cable company (and not talking to them face to face) is can make it a little easier as it is not as personal.
You do not need to give an ultimatum. Many people think they need to say “Either give me a better price or I will leave.” What we have found is that you never need to give an ultimatum when asking for a discount or assistance on your cable TV bills because most of the time you really don’t want to leave the company.
Instead, when you call the cable service provider, simply say that you received this offer from a competing company in the mail and that you’re “thinking about the offer” and you were wondering if your current company could match the plan. If they say yes, then you are done and you quickly and easily saved money on bills that you need to pay. If they say “no,” they can’t match the price, then you should simply ask what is the best price they can offer you. If it is less than what you are paying (but maybe not as low as the competitor), then you’re done and you saved some money over what you had been paying.
If they were to say that they can’t give a discount at all, then you can thank them for their time and say you will think about the situation further. That is it. Since you never made a demand that you would leave them if they didn’t give you a discount, you are never forced into an uncomfortable position. There is no harm in trying this tactic, it can all be done over the phone, and you will more than likely never need to deal with the individual again, so that should helpfully reduce or eliminate any feeling of being uncomfortable.
The amount of savings depends on which approach is used, as we have many other suggestions listed. But some households can save anywhere from $30-$100 per month. There are also families that have reduced their monthly TV bill to very close to zero, or free, by using streaming services and other options. Find other tips on how to save money on Cable TV.
Stop using cable
As noted, negotiating as per above will be a way to get help. But if the cable TV provide is not willing, or able too, offer assistance, then the next option may be to discount cable. Look into alternatives.
The best way to get cable TV help is to cut the cord. This means transitioning to free streaming services or cutting back on the TV package that is used. One of the best ways to get information on how to ask for a better price or find all of the assistance available is to use your junk mail to research and relate competing offers. Or learn about cutting the cord on cable TV to save money.
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