What You Need to Know About the Lifeline Phone Service Program

Need Access to a Phone Line for Alert1?

Lifeline

With Alert1's medical alert systems, you don't need to have a phone line to get extra peace of mind. Our mobile medical alerts keep you safe without a required landline. However, having access to a phone line can be essential to your wellbeing.

 

A phone line allows you to:

 

  • Keep in touch with your children.
  • Stay social with your friends.
  • Set up doctors’ appointments. 

Along with your medical alert system, a lifeline phone service program can also benefit your safety. But these services can be expensive. If you cannot afford to pay for a phone service plan at the original price, a Lifeline Phone Service Program is the perfect opportunity for you to get the phone service you need. 

What Is the Lifeline Phone Service Program?

Lifeline Phone Service is a government-backed program that allows eligible low-income individuals and households to apply and receive discounts on a home phone service. The program has a variety of benefits. 

What Are Some Benefits of This Program?

  • Monthly discount of $9.25 for a telephone service.
  • Choosing to receive a Lifeline discount on either a wireline (your home phone) or a wireless phone service.

How Can You Qualify? Low Income or Federal Assistance

There are two ways you can qualify to the Lifeline Phone Service program:

1. Based on your income.

In order to have the opportunity to qualify for this program, your household’s income needs to be at 135% or below of the federal poverty guidelines.

2. Based on a state or federal assistance program.

If you or a member of your household is assisted by any of the following state and federal assistance programs, you may be eligible to apply:

  • Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as Food Stamps
  • Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
  • Medicaid
  • National School Lunch Program's (NSLP)
  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
  • Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
  • A qualifying program established by your state
  • General Assistance
  • Head Start (only households meeting the income qualifying standard)
  • Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF)
  • Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations.

Can I Qualify for More Than One Phone Service?

No, you cannot receive more than one phone service through the Lifeline phone service program. Federal law prohibits qualified low-income members from collecting more than one discount per household. Still, users will have the option to choose either the wireless or wireline service.  

What Documents Do I Need to Apply?

To apply for this important program, you will first need to gather some important documents. You will need the following:

 

Program Eligibility Verification, which can include either:

 

  • Current or prior year’s statement of benefits from one of the qualifying programs listed above
  • Letter of participation in qualifying program
  • Copy of program participation document

 

Income Eligibility Verification, which can include either:

 

  • Prior year’s federal, state, or Tribal tax return
  • Current income statement (could be paycheck stub)
  • Social Security statement of benefits
  • Veterans Administration statement of benefits
  • Retirement or pension statement of benefits
  • Unemployment or Workers’ Comp
  • Federal or Tribal notice letter of participation in General Assistance
  • Divorce Decree or child support award 

If the documentation does not cover a full year of income, you will have to show proof of the same documentation that covers 3 consecutive months within the last 12 months. 

How Do You Apply?

You can apply for a Lifeline discounted landline phone service through a Lifeline Program provider near you. Visit the Lifeline Support website to locate a provider near you. For more information, visit the FCC website.