Lifeline helps consumers who already have telephone service save a significant amount of money on their monthly phone bill. The discount applies to basic local telephone service on one line per household.

Link-Up pays one-half, up to a maximum of $30, of the installation or activation fee for new telephone service at the applicant’s primary residence. Link-Up also allows you to pay the remaining amount owed on installation or activation on a deferred schedule, interest-free.

Both programs have eligibility requirements. You may qualify if you participate in any of the following programs:

• Medicaid (example, Title XIX/Medical State Supplemental Assistance)
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly known as Food Stamps)
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Federal Public Housing Assistance (Section 8)
• Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
• Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)
• National School Lunch Free Lunch Program
• Or, if your household income is no more than 135 percent of the federal poverty income guidelines (see table below).

2009 Federal Poverty Income Guidelines

• If you qualify based on participation in a federal aid program, the phone must be in the name of the person who receives those benefits in order to be part of Lifeline or Link-Up. If you qualify based on the National School Lunch Free Lunch Program, the phone can be in the name of an adult.
• Lifeline is available on only one line per household.
• Lifeline and Link-Up discounts cannot be applied to past due telephone bills.
• Once you are on Lifeline, you will be periodically asked to verify that you remain eligible. If you do not respond, the phone company is required to stop the discounts.
• It can take up to two months for the discounts to show up on your bill as a credit. You must pay the bill until that time.
• Link-Up will not cover the cost of a phone or wiring your home.
• You must notify the telephone company when you no longer qualify for the program.