Lifeline is a government program that offers qualified people a discount on their monthly local telephone bill. Each State has its own guidelines to qualify.
How much can I save on my phone bill?
You save up to $8.25 for you basic monthly bill. These benefits apply to you local telephone service charges that you purchase as a flat rate service, measured service, or local service purchased as part of a bundled service. These benefits will also cover your subscriber line charge.
How do I know if I’m eligible?
You’re eligible for Lifeline if you participate in any of the following programs:
Food Stamps
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Programs ( LIHEAP)
Medicaid
Federal Public Housing Assistance (Section 8)
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
National School Lunch Free Program
Income at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines
The applicable poverty guidelines are determined by household size.
Are there any restrictions?
Lifeline can only be used for the main telephone line in your household. The name on your phone bill must match the name of the participant who is eligible in the program. You may purchase any service available to a non-Lifeline customer. However, the Lifeline credit is not available on lines in a multiple line local service package.
How do I apply? To apply for Lifeline, call 1-800-621-4211. You will be asked to provide proof of eligibility by providing a form signed under penalty of perjury that you receive benefits from one of the federal programs that comprises the federal default eligibility criteria or that your household income is at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines. Your Lifeline benefits will take effect when proof of eligibility is received and your order is processed.
How do I continue to receive Lifeline benefits?
Your benefits will be discontinued when you no longer meet eligibility requirements. You must notify East Ascension Telephone Company if you are no longer eligible.
Other useful information. There are other options that can help you save money, including free toll blocking and a waived deposit with toll blocking.
Link-Up helps households pay installation charge for telephone service. This program pays some of the cost of installing local service in your home, but Link-Up does not cover the cost of wiring inside your home.
How much will I save by using Link-Up?
Link-Up will pay 50% off of your installation charges. Currently, such credit is $17.60.
How do I know if I am eligible?
If you qualify for Lifeline, you also qualify for Link-Up.
Does Link-Up have any restrictions?
It can only be used for the charges for activating main phone service or moving existing service to a new address. You must provide proof of eligibility before the service can be activated. Link-Up does not apply to activation charges paid prior to application to the program.
How do I apply for Link-Up?
To apply for Link-Up, call 1-800-621-4211. You will be asked to provide proof of your eligibility by providing a copy of a document that verified that you participate in any of the programs mentioned above.
