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CONSUMER INFORMATION ON TELEPHONE SERVICE UNDER FEDERAL
UNIVERSAL SERVICE PROGRAMS
Lifeline - Lifeline service provides qualified consumers with government assistance on monthly charges for their phone line, even if it’s a cell phone. Link-Up - Link-Up provides assistance for eligible consumers to activate new phone service.
Lifeline - If you qualify for this program, Lifeline can provide assistance on your phone bills every month. To determine if you qualify for these lifeline discounts, contact us at 1-85-LIFELINE or 1-888-777-6561.
Link-Up - Link-Up provides assistance for qualified applicant's for phone startup fees. Tribal Lands - Those living on tribal lands may qualify for additional discounts.
These lifeline discounts are available to qualifying consumers throughout the country, although eligibility requirements vary from state to state. Some states have broader categories for eligibility so that more people will qualify. That is why it is important to know how your state runs these lifeline phone service programs. If your state uses the federal categories, those standards require either that consumers have a total household income that does not exceed 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines OR that they participate in one of the following programs:
Medicaid
Food Stamps (SNAP)
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Federal Public Housing Assistance (Section 8)
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) or
The National School Lunch Programs Free Lunch Program
For household income to be at or below 150% of the Federal
Poverty Guidelines, total income for the household must not
be more than the following:
| Number of People In Your Family |
Lower 48 / DC |
Hawaii |
Alaska |
| 1 |
$14,621 |
$16,821 |
$18,266 |
| 2 |
$19,670 |
$22,626 |
$24,584 |
| 3 |
$24,719 |
$28,431 |
$30,902 |
| 4 |
$29,768 |
$34,236 |
$37,220 |
| 5 |
$34,817 |
$40,041 |
$43,538 |
| 6 |
$39,866 |
$45,846 |
$49,856 |
| 7 |
$44,915 |
$51,651 |
$56,174 |
| 8 |
$49,964 |
$57,456 |
$62,492 |
These income levels are based on Jan. 23, 2009, data from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). For each additional person in the household beyond eight, add the following dollar amounts to the income eligibility requirements: $5,049 for persons living in the Lower 48 and D.C., $6,318 for Alaska, and $5,805 forHawaii.
Consumers who are eligible for the Lifeline and Link-Up programs and have financial or credit problems do not have to pay a deposit before setting up phone service. If your phone company is threatening to disconnect your phone service because of late or nonpayment of bills or you have already been disconnected, Lifeline/Link-Up will reconnect those who are eligible.
Contact 1-85-LIFELINE or 1-888-777-6561 or email at LifeLine@flatel.com to receive assistance with lifeline in your state and to request an application form.
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