Lifeline Assistance Program

Lifeline Assistance Program

Lifeline is a federal program dedicated to making phone and internet service more affordable for low-income households. This benefit provides eligible consumers with a monthly discount of up to $9.25. Consumers living on Tribal lands are eligible for an enhanced discount of up to $34.25 per month.

Terms and Conditions for Lifeline Customers

Starting on December 2, 2016 customers are able to apply monthly Lifeline discounts to Voice or Internet Service. A customer can only receive a discount on ONE option – phone or internet. The discount can also be applied to a phone & Internet bundle.

To be eligible for a discount as part of the Lifeline program a customer must meet one of the following criteria:

  1. Participate in Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA) or Section 8;
  2. Participate in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as Food Stamps;
  3. Receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI);
  4. Have a household income that is at or below 135 percent of the federal poverty guidelines.
  5. Participate in the Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit Program
  6. Participate in Medicaid
  7. Receive Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
  8. Participate in Tribally-administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TTANF)
  9. Participate in Food Distribution on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)
  10. Participate in Tribal Head Start (only households meeting the income qualifying standard)

Voice Lifeline

If the customer applies the Lifeline discount to Voice Service they will receive a federal discount of $5.25, Consumers living on Tribal lands are eligible for an enhanced discount of up to $30.25 per month. Voice Service provides unlimited local calling within the customers designated calling area.  Customers pay for toll calls according to their chosen toll plan.

Broadband Lifeline

If the customer applies the Lifeline discount to their Internet Service they will receive a $9.25 federal discount on their internet service package, consumers living on Tribal lands are eligible for an enhanced discount of up to $34.25 per month. Broadband Lifeline supports internet service speeds of 25/3 Mbps or better where available.

 

To apply to Lifeline, contact Direct Communications. For more information about the Lifeline program, visit https://www.lifelinesupport.org/get-started/