Thank you to Comcast for sponsoring this post. All opinions are my own.
I'm about to eat my feelings and they taste like @ComcastCA. #beautifullybilingual pic.twitter.com/SkRRULK1ew
— Claudya Martinez (@ByClaudya) December 15, 2016
Last week I went to a fun lunch and learn #BeautifullyBilingual event hosted by Xfinity at their newest store in San Francisco located at the corner of Geary and Divisadero. Here’s what I was expecting: I was expecting to hang out with other awesome Bay Area bloggers, meet the folks from Comcast/Xfinity, eat good food, learn about the Xfinity Voice Remote and the launch of Netflix on X1.
I did get what I was expecting, but I also got WAY more.
For starters I won a 55″ TV that they gave away.
I want to win this TV that my new friends at @ComcastCA are giving away. #beautifullybilingual pic.twitter.com/lGSST3xw5K
— Claudya Martinez (@ByClaudya) December 15, 2016
Christmas came early for me and my family thanks to Xfinity and we are very grateful.
I also got to learn that the Xfinity Voice Remote is bilingual just like I am and it’s a better listener than my husband.
My favorite part of the @comcastca #beautifullybilingual presentation is learning this remote is a better listener than my hubby. pic.twitter.com/Wh2j20IQGW
— Claudya Martinez (@ByClaudya) December 15, 2016
English, Spanish or Spanglish this remote sabe lo que estoy diciendo.
But, wait! What really blew me away wasn’t the free TV I won or the bilingual remote or the accessibility of Netflix for X1 customers. What blew me away was finding out about Internet Essentials.
Comcast’s Internet Essentials is the country’s largest and most wide-ranging internet adoption program for low-income households. That means that if you qualify for the program, you can get high-speed internet service with in-home Wi-Fi for $9.95 a month along with the option to buy an internet-ready computer for $150 and you get free digital literacy training in print, online or in person.
People, this is revolutionary! Why? Because the internet is the great liberator and equalizer. Internet access in this day and age is essential, but for many low-income families it’s simply not affordable.
Low-income children who have access to the internet, have access to knowledge and opportunities they wouldn’t otherwise have. Adults gain educational opportunities, healthcare resources and the ability to apply for jobs online. Seniors can stay connected to family members and have easy access to news, information and entertainment.
You can learn more about Comcast’s Internet Essentials program and where it’s available here. I’ve included the basic eligibility requirements below.
Internet Essentials Eligibility
Basic Eligibility: Any family that has at least one child eligible for free or reduced-price NSLP in a variety of educational settings including public, charter, private, parochial, cyber school, and home school may apply for Internet Essentials. Every student in a school where 40% of students are eligible for NSLP will be automatically eligible.
HUD-Assisted Housing: In July, 2016, Comcast joined ConnectHome to expand Internet Essentials pilot program for all public housing residents in Miami-Dade County and cities of Nashville, Philadelphia, and Seattle, to its national footprint. Households living in HUD-assisted housing including Public Housing, Housing Choice Vouchers, or Multifamily are eligible to apply. Households living in public housing are eligible for a streamlined application process.
Internet Essential Pilot Program Eligibility
Senior Citizens: A pilot program for low-income seniors is available in Palm Beach County, San Francisco, Boston, Philadelphia, and Seattle. In order to be eligible, a senior must be 62 years or older, live in a pilot market, and receive federal or state public assistance (varies by state).
Community College: A community college pilot program is available to low-income students in Colorado and Illinois. In those states, students who are Pell grant recipients are eligible for the program.
In addition to the above criteria, households must:
- Not subscribed to Comcast Internet service in the last 90 days – does not apply to cable TV or voice
- Have no overdue Comcast bill or unreturned equipment less than 12 months old. Debt older than 12 months is cancelled for Internet Essentials customers.
Please share this information far and wide. I can attest to the power of the internet, without it I wouldn’t be able to help support my family from home as a writer. Access to the internet changed my life and I know it can change the lives of so many others if they can get access to it.
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