| Most people are aware of government assistance | | | | company and ask to be put on the Lifeline program. |
| programs like Food Stamps or Medicaid but did you | | | | They'll typically ask you to fill out and sign a simple |
| know that there is an assistance program for your | | | | form which you'll need to fax or send to them. The |
| phone service? Lifeline is part of a program | | | | form typically asks for your name and address, and |
| administered by the Universal Service Administrative | | | | which of the qualifying programs you're enrolled in. |
| Company (USAC) that provides a subsidy in the form | | | | Your signature is stating that you are telling the truth. |
| of a discount on your phone service. Lifeline will save | | | | Some states also require some form of proof of the |
| you at least $10 per month but typically reduces your | | | | qualifying program like your award letter. |
| phone bill by over $13.50. In addition to the monthly | | | | If you don't have working home phone service, |
| savings, there is also a benefit called Link-up that will | | | | check your yellow pages for a local phone company |
| pay half of your activation fees, up to $30. | | | | and ask them about their Lifeline home phone |
| With sustained U.S. unemployment rates above 9% | | | | service. All of your major carriers like AT&T, Verizon, |
| for over a year now, it's not surprising that the | | | | and Quest offer it as do most of the Competitive |
| number of Americans receiving food stamps is over | | | | local exchange carriers (CLECs). Don't worry about |
| 40 million and is expected to keep rising. Medicaid | | | | your credit history. If you're eligible for Lifeline, you |
| recipients total over 50 million. If you're one of these | | | | aren't required to pay a deposit if you're willing to let |
| people, you are qualified to receive the Lifeline | | | | the provider block any toll calls from your phone. |
| discount on your phone service. | | | | You'll still be able to make long distance calls using a |
| Food Stamps and Medicaid aren't the only programs | | | | calling card or some other prepaid service. |
| that qualify you for Lifeline assistance. Some states | | | | The Lifeline discount is applicable to just one phone |
| follow federal guidelines while others have their own | | | | line per household. And, the Link-up subsidy is a |
| rules. The Federal guidelines require that your total | | | | one-time benefit. So, it's not a good idea to keep |
| household income does not exceed 135% of the | | | | changing providers since you'll only get the $30 |
| Federal Poverty Guidelines, or that you're enrolled in | | | | discount once. You may get away with receiving |
| at least one of these programs: | | | | Link-up more than once by going to a different |
| * Medicaid | | | | carrier but it's not legal for you to do so and the |
| * Food Stamps | | | | form that you sign to get started is your statement |
| * Supplemental Security Income (SSI) | | | | that you've never received Link-up before. |
| * Federal Public Housing Assistance (Section 8 | | | | The Lifeline benefit can be applied to cellular service |
| housing) | | | | instead of home phone. There are a few cellular |
| * Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program | | | | service providers that offer a "free government cell |
| (LIHEAP) | | | | phone" which is actually the Lifeline program. It |
| * Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) | | | | typically gives you between 60 and 200 minutes of |
| * The National School Lunch Program's Free Lunch | | | | service per month and a free handset which is your |
| Program | | | | Link-up benefit. But, you can't get the Lifeline benefit |
| Now that you know you qualify, how do you get it? | | | | for your cell phone if you're receiving it on your |
| It's easier than you might think. You don't have to go | | | | home phone, and vice-versa. |
| to a special government office and meet with a | | | | So if you're one of the over 50 million Americans |
| caseworker. You don't have to change phone service | | | | receiving government assistance, call your phone |
| providers if you currently have service. If you | | | | service provider now and ask them about Lifeline |
| currently have home phone service, call your phone | | | | home phone service. |