Lifeline and Link-Up are federal programs
that help income-eligible consumers afford local telephone
service. The programs are administered by local telephone
companies. Lifeline and Link-up will not help with long
distance costs, but ask your long distance provider about
possible discounts.
Important
note:
Lifeline and Link-up applications must be submitted
directly to your local phone company.
How
these programs can benefit you:
Lifeline provides a monthly discount on basic local
telephone service for eligible consumers. The Lifeline
program is available for only one phone line per eligible
home.
Link-Up provides eligible consumers with discounts on
connection charges for new local telephone service and
may enable you to finance your portion of the connection
charges interest-free for one year. The discount is available
for only one telephone line per eligible home.
Are you eligible?
Consumers
enrolled in one or more of the following assistance
programs may qualify for Lifeline and Link-Up benefits:
* Medicaid
* Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
* Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
* Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)
* Food Stamps
* National School Free Lunch Program
* Federal Public Housing Assistance or Section 8
As
of 6-22-05, a consumer will also qualify for Lifeline/Link-Up
if his or her household income is at or below 135% of
the federal poverty guidelines. Information regarding
the poverty guidelines is available from the U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services at www.hhs.gov or 1-877-696-6775.
The following conditions are required for Lifeline and
Link-Up eligibility:
* Telephone service must be listed in your name.
* You cannot be listed as a dependent on another person’s tax return.
* Telephone service must be for your primary residence (not a business or second
home)
How
to apply:
A simple application is available from your local telephone
company or online from the Indiana
Office of Utility Consumer Counselor.
When
returning the completed application to your phone company,
you
must include documentation showing that
you participate in at least one of the public assistance
programs listed in the “Are you eligible?” section
on this fact sheet.
|
