Citizens Can Leverage Lifeline to Get Phone Service with Data Plan

You may have read in the news about the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) that President Biden signed into law to expand the free phone service to a greater number of the US population. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program that inspired the expanded bill still exists; Lifeline provides free or discounted phone service and assistance for broadband service to individuals in the US with a household income at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.

Lifeline Helps Low-Income Individuals Obtain Phone Service

The FCC program, Lifeline, also helps Tribal members to reestablish phone service. Depending on the level of assistance for which the individual qualifies, they could receive between $100 to $200 to re-connect to their phone service.

Since the 135% number can be tough to visualize in cash, that means that a single individual household that earns $18,347 per year or less would qualify. A family of four earning an annual household income of $37,463 or less would also qualify.

Do You Receive Benefits from One of These Programs?

Owning a phone with reliable service can enable the household to improve medical care, better communicate with other family members, and apply for jobs. You or someone you know probably qualifies if they receive assistance from any of the following programs:

  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients,
  • Medicaid recipients,
  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients,
  • Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA) participants,
  • Individuals receiving Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefits,
  • Some Native American Tribal programs.

The Lifeline phone service Oklahoma state program offers multiple levels of assistance. If you know of someone who could qualify for this program, help them apply today.

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