You may be eligible to receive a discount on your phone or broadband service through Lifeline, a federal program designed to help low-income Americans pay for vital telecommunications services.

The Lifeline program continues the mission of assisting all Americans to get connected and to stay connected with today’s technology. One of the most important changes to the program is that it now helps consumers pay for a broadband connection.

You are eligible for Lifeline benefits if you qualify for and receive one of the following benefits:

-SNAP
-Medicaid
-Supplemental Security Income, or SSI
-Federal Public Housing
-Assistance
-The Veteran’s Pension or Survivor’s Pension Benefit

Additionally, consumers at or below 135 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines will continue to be eligible for a Lifeline program benefit. State determinations of income will no longer be accepted.

Please check with HTC for information about benefits that may be available at the state level.

You have the choice, where applicable, of applying your benefit to one of three types of service offerings:

-Fixed or mobile broadband
-Fixed or mobile voice-only
-Bundles of fixed or mobile voice and broadband

NOTE: Lifeline can only be used for one source of communication — mobile, cellphone; or fixed, landline.

No, consumers are allowed only one Lifeline program benefit per household.

To learn if you qualify for Lifeline assistance, you must fill out standard forms available at your local telephone company’s office.

NOTE: Your telephone company is not responsible for determining who qualifies for these programs or who receives assistance. Consumers must meet specific criteria in order to obtain assistance with their local telephone and/or broadband service, and qualifying is dependent upon government-established guidelines.