If you are a low-income household struggling to make ends meet, the Lifeline phone program may help your family. The government program provides subsidized home and wireless services to eligible households. To qualify, a consumer must participate in a qualifying assistance program or have an income 135% below the poverty guidelines. 

How to Apply

You may be eligible for assistance if your household has trouble paying its phone and internet bills. The federal program known as Lifeline can help reduce your monthly costs. You may also qualify for the federal Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which can offer a monthly discount on broadband service or a free internet-capable device. To find out if you are eligible for Lifeline, visit the official application website. The website can help you determine if you qualify based on your income and government assistance programs that you participate in. If you receive Medicaid, SNAP food stamps, free lunch for children, cash grants from TANF, Section 8, CHIP health care or an active SSI check, you can enroll in the Lifeline program. Households receiving Lifeline benefits can also enroll in Link-Up, which offers financial help for the deposit and initial set-up fees of new phone or internet services. The Texas Public Utility Commission oversees these programs. You can also ask your telephone or wireless company for more information. Many of the big telecoms in the state offer these discounts to their customers. Some telecommunication companies even provide free cell phones to qualified households. These programs are available to residents of all shapes, territories, and commonwealths, and those living on Tribal lands.

Requirements

If you’re a low-income Texas resident, you might be eligible for the Federal Lifeline Program or the Federal Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). This assistance will help reduce your phone and internet costs. It may also give you a free government cell phone or tablet. You must meet certain eligibility requirements to receive these benefits. These include obtaining a government subsidy or household income below 135% of the poverty guidelines. You can learn more about the eligibility criteria by visiting the website for the National Eligibility Verifier or your local phone or internet provider. The service providers will process your Lifeline application and confirm whether or not you are eligible for the program. Then they will offer you a plan that is suitable to your needs. This can include a basic phone plan or a broadband/TV/phone bundled package. The program will normally only cover the standard phone services and not any extra features you might have added, such as long-distance calling or voice messaging. Most telecommunication companies in Texas offer this benefit to their customers. However, you should check with your specific company to learn more about their eligibility requirements and the documentation you must bring. Additionally, you should also take a look at USAC’s website for additional information. They regularly host training webinars for social service agencies and consumer advocacy groups to assist them in helping their clients apply for these programs.

Documents Needed

The Lifeline program offers discounted wireline phone and broadband internet service to low-income families in Texas. The FCC federally mandates the program to ensure low-income households can access affordable communication services. To complete the application process, applicants must provide supporting documents such as proof of participation in a qualifying government assistance program or current income at or below 135% of the poverty guidelines.

To apply for the Lifeline program, consumers can visit the Lifeline National Verifier online or download a paper application. The National Verifier connects with several government assistance programs to expedite the process of verifying eligibility automatically. This allows consumers to get their service quickly and easily. Alternatively, consumers can contact their state Public Utility Commission for more information on the process. Each state PUC handles the application process differently. Some states require that consumers submit proof of participation in qualifying government assistance programs. In contrast, others may need them to verify current income at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines.

In addition to the National Verifier, USAC hosts training webinars for social service agencies and consumer advocacy groups to help them understand the Lifeline process and requirements. These training sessions are a great resource for consumers who need help navigating the application process.

Documents Required

Free cellular phones and discounted home phone services are available to many low-income families in Texas. This service is offered through the state-sponsored program called Lifeline. The state Public Utility Commission oversees this program. The commission can answer questions regarding the application process and help ensure that families receive this benefit. There are a few basic documents required to complete the application process. The first is proof of eligibility for the program. This can be in the form of a paper letter or an email. It must contain the consumer’s name, address, phone number, and date of birth. The proof of eligibility can also include an electronic document that shows a qualifying government assistance program like Medicaid, SNAP food stamps, TANF cash grants, or Section 8. The next item is the annual recertification form. This can be found online or by calling a Lifeline customer care representative. The state will contain a 9-digit barcode in the upper right-hand corner. Suppose you need this 9-digit barcode.

In that case, it is possible to look up the information with the National Verifier by entering the zip code, Lifeline phone number or account number receiving benefits, and the last four digits of the consumer’s Social Security Number (SSN) or Tribal Number.