If you qualify as a low-income person, you may be able to get help with your telephone expenses through the federal Lifeline Assistance and Link-Up programs. Lifeline provides discounts on phone service to eligible consumers. Link-Up pays part of the cost of phone service installation or activation. These programs are made possible by the Universal Service Fund, which is overseen by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Telephone companies pay into the fund. They usually recover this cost through universal service fees on customers’ phone bills.
Consider this:
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The Lifeline and Link-Up programs apply to both traditional landline and wireless service.
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There may also be additional assistance offered by your state.
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Your local telephone company can tell you if you qualify and what discounts you can receive.
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You can only get Lifeline or Link-Up discounts from a telephone company if it has qualified with the FCC as an “Eligible Telecommunications Carrier,” or ETC. Because no cable companies have applied for ETC status, Lifeline or Link-Up assistance is not available if you choose to get your telephone service from a cable company.
For more information about the Lifeline Assistance and Link-Up programs from the FCC go to www.fcc.gov/getconnected/ or call toll-free (888) 225-5322, TTY (888) 835-5322.
 
