Telephone Service Discount Programs
New Information! 3/7/2013 The federal Lifeline and state Telephone Assistance Plan (TAP) programs provide monthly telephone service discounts on one telephone line or wireless telephone per household. Recently the Link-up program, a discount on activation charges, was eliminated except for Tribal lands. Qualifying residents of Tribal lands may receive additional discounts. There are several landline and wireless service providers authorized to provide these telephone service discounts to income qualifying households to promote universal service. Am I eligible?Telephone service must be in your name and you must show proof you participate in one or more of the following programs:
-OR- you can prove your income is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines by attaching one of the following documents to your application:
What do the programs provide?
Landline Providers offer discounts from both the federal Lifeline and Minnesota's Telephone Assistance Program. The credit applies to one main home telephone number listed in the applicant's name. Lifeline subscribers also may receive free long distance blocking on their landline telephone. Additional benefits are available to person living on Tribal Lands/reservations. Wireless Providers offer special Lifeline discount plans to qualifying customers. Some plan options offer free phones. Not all wireless companies offer Lifeline benefits. The approved companies and their contact information are listed below.
How do I apply?1. Contact your landline or wireless provider to request an application. Complete and sign the application. 2. Attach proof of participation in one of the above programs or proof of income to your application. 3. Mail the application and required documents to your landline or wireless company. Could I become ineligible?When you no longer participate in any of the qualifying public assistance programs listed above, or you no longer meet the income guidelines, you are obligated by law to notify the telephone company that you are no longer eligible for Lifeline or TAP. Questions?If you have questions about these discount programs or the application process, contact your local telephone company. Don't have telephone service yet? Find a local service provider for your city. More information on Minnesota's Telephone Assistance Plan (TAP) can be found in the Commission's most recent More information about the federal Lifeline program can be found at Federal Communications Commission. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||