No cost and Low Cost Phones and Internet in Wisconsin

Lifeline lowers the cost of phone or internet service by up to $18.50 a month, or your provider may offer free calls, texts or internet instead. You may qualify if you get Medicaid, FoodShare, SSI, federal public housing assistance or the Veterans Pension, or if your income is at or below 135 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. Only one person per household can get it.

Official page: psc.wi.gov/Pages/ForConsumers/Lifeline.aspx

Contact a participating phone or internet company, or check your eligibility on the FCC National Verifier at nv.fcc.gov/lifeline. You can also mail a paper application. If you lost your job recently, you can use a notice of unemployment benefits, dated in the last three months. Call the Wisconsin helpline at 608 267 3595 or Lifeline Support at 800 234 9473.

Official page: psc.wi.gov/Pages/ForConsumers/Lifeline.aspx

Madison Public Library computers are first come, first served at all nine locations. You can use the library Wi Fi with your own device. Printing costs 10 cents a page for black and white, and faxing is free. Call the library at 608 266 6300.

Official page: madisonpubliclibrary.org/spaces/internet-and-computer-access

The Milwaukee Public Library website has pages on computers and internet, and on Chromebooks. A library card is free for City of Milwaukee residents. The main number is 414 286 3000.

Official page: mpl.org/library/computers_internet

The Beacon in Madison lets people use phones to make calls, and staff will take messages for you if you are not there. It is at 615 E Washington Ave. Call 608 826 8040.

Official page: catholiccharitiesofmadison.org/the-beacon/get-help