While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the LIHEAP program and compiled a guide and the following answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.

FAQs

We want to provide information to help you find the resources you may be looking for.

We provide this information in a free guide.

If you’re looking for information, our website and guide may help you learn about topics such as:

  • Cable TV
  • Streaming services
  • TV providers
  • And more

Table of Contents: 

  1. Want to learn about us?
  2. Where do we get our information?
  3. Is my information protected?
  4. How are cable TV rates regulated?
  5. Why should you bundle services?
  6. Why do I have to pay for channels I never watch?
  7. What are the advantages of cable TV over streaming?
  8. How should I choose an internet speed?
  9. What are some common reasons for the internet going out?
  10. How should I choose an internet provider?

1.     Want to learn about us?

We’re a private company that conducts research online and compiles information for you in a free guide. Our goal is to give you the information in one place – in a clear and simple way – to help you achieve your goals.

2.     Where do we get our information?

Our team of writers conducts online research about topics that are important to you. We find information that’s already online, but we put it together to make things easier for you. We do the online research. We call local offices and ask questions.

Then we take the information and give it to you in a way that’s clear and easy to understand.

3.     Is my information protected?

We believe in the importance of keeping your data safe. If you decide to give us your data while using our website, we use many different protections to help keep it safe. To learn more about how we protect your information, check out our Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.

4.     How are cable TV rates regulated?

The rates that cable TV providers charge consumers are monitored by a local franchising authority or LFA, but they regulate mostly what providers charge for government and educational local stations, also known as a basic tier service. However, rates regarding premium channels are not regulated and providers can offer them either in a package or for an individual fee.

5.     Why should you bundle services?

Bundling services lets you get cable, phone service and internet together in just one bill. This way, you can get all three services for a discounted price and typically paying less money than you would for each individual service.

6.     Why do I have to pay for channels I never watch?

In general, cable TV providers include popular and lesser-known channels in their packages. If you wish to only include the most popular networks in your package, this can increase the price of your cable bill. Channel owners offer packages to cable TV providers, decreasing the cost of the most popular channels when bought with other less popular ones. This leaves few options to cable TV providers which, in turn, go for the cheaper option and add more channels to their offerings for less money.

7.     What are the advantages of cable TV over streaming?

Although there are quite a few advantages of cable TV over streaming, the main three include:

Live sports: If you are a sports fan, having a cable TV subscription with live sports can definitely be a serious advantage, as can be the pregame and postgame coverage and analysis that many of the sports channels today offer. Streaming services don’t typically provide this kind of service.

Premium individual choices: Not only can you watch whatever you want, which is something streaming also offers, but you can also access hundreds of on-demand titles and new movie releases in high definition at any time.

Special events: If you are a movie fan and enjoy watching the Oscars, Grammys or holiday specials, cable TV channel packages offer these and many more events you can enjoy. You can even order pay-per-view events like boxing or MMA matches.

8.     How should I choose an internet speed?

Choosing the right internet speed is something that should be done based on what you plan to use internet for. If you only need to check email and browse the internet every so often, you only need about 5 Megabits per second (Mbps). If you want to stream high-definition content, you’ll need significantly more (between 15 and 25 Mbps). Furthermore, if you’re looking to play online games very often and want the best speed, you can choose a speed around 200 Mbps.

9.     What are some common reasons for the internet going out?

There are a few key reasons why your internet may go out at any given point. These include but aren’t limited to having equipment that is faulty, congestion (too many people trying to use the internet in a given place) and speed fluctuation. When it comes to speed, you will not receive the speed that you purchased from your provider 100 percent of the time. It will fluctuate.

10.    How should I choose an internet provider?

The best way to make sure you’re getting a good deal is to review the terms of multiple providers one at a time and to compare them. Keep in mind that introductory rates only last for a certain period of time (typically 12 months). After that point, you may be paying more money for the same service. You can always consider changing providers at this point to get a better deal annually.