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THE LIFELINE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM helps make telephone service affordable to low-income
customers in our state.
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LIFELINE ASSISTANCE gives a credit of $9.25 per month on local phone bills. Over a
year's time, that is a savings of at least
$111.00.
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The Florida Public Service Commission wants all eligible low-income residents to
receive these discounts.
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YOU NEED TO SIGN UP TO BENEFIT.
AM I ELIGIBLE?
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Yes, if you receive state or federal help from:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)/Food Stamps
- Medicaid
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (Section 8)
- Veteran's Pension and Survivor Pension Plan
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In addition, if you live on a federally recognized tribal land and are eligible for benefits through the Bureau of Indian Affairs for Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Head Start Subsidy or the NSL, you qualify for expanded Lifeline assistance.
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Yes, if you meet the INCOME GUIDELINES:
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NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN HOUSEHOLD
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TOTAL HOUSEHOLD ANNUAL INCOME*
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TOTAL HOUSEHOLD MONTHLY INCOME*
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1
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$15,890
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$1,324
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2
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$21,506
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$1,792
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3
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$27,122
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$2,260
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4
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$32,738**
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$2,728
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* Up to 135% of U.S. Poverty Guidelines
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** For each additional person $5,616
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HOW DO I SIGN UP?
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If you receive state or federal help:
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First, if you do not have phone service in your home, you will need to contact a
local phone company in your area to establish service and apply for the
Lifeline Assistance program.
Already have phone service? Applying is easy. You can call your
local phone company and ask for help signing up for the Lifeline Assistance Program.
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OR
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Visit the PSC's
Lifeline Web page
to apply online or obtain a printed application.
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Want to apply online? Simply complete the online application using
the Lifeline Automated Online Application process and click Submit to send your
application directly to your telephone company.
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Want to apply by mail or fax? Simply print the Lifeline Certification
Form. Then, complete the application form and mail or fax it to the address or fax
number shown on the application for your telephone company.
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OR
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If you are a new applicant or re-certifying your eligibility at the Florida Department
of Children and Families (DCF) for:
- Temporary Cash Assistance
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)/Food Stamps
- Medicaid
THEN You can choose to be automatically enrolled for the Lifeline program when you
apply at the Department of Children and Families.
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If you meet the income guidelines:
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Call 1-800-540-7039 (Office of Public Counsel in Tallahassee) and ask for help signing
up for the Lifeline Program.
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OR
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Download an application at
http://www.floridaopc.gov/Pages/Lifeline.aspx
and mail it to the Office of Public Counsel
using the address at the bottom of the application
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QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
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Do most telephone companies offer the Lifeline Assistance Program?
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Yes. Companies serving the vast majority of Floridians do offer the program, and
this even includes some cellular companies.
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Can my Lifeline local service be cut off if I have unpaid long distance bills?
No, but your long distance service can be blocked.
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I dont have service now because I havent paid an old phone bill. I also have
a low credit rating. Can I still get Lifeline?
Yes. The phone company can require you to make payments on the local part
of the old bill. If you havent paid for your long-distance charges, you may need
to have your long distance calling blocked.
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Do I have to pay a deposit for Lifeline?
If you have your long distance service blocked, the phone company cannot
make you pay a deposit.
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What happens to my Lifeline service when I no longer qualify?
You should call your phone company and ask for Transitional Lifeline Assistance.
This state program gives 30% off the monthly flat rate for residential basic service.
You can get this discount for one year after you no longer qualify for the regular
Lifeline program.
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Will receiving the Lifeline credits impact my benefits from other programs (for
example, food stamps)?
No.
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Do my assets, such as owning a car, affect my income eligibility for the programs?
No.
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Is the Lifeline program just for senior adults?
No. Adults of all ages may qualify.
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THE LIFELINE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
is a state program approved by the Florida Public Service Commission.
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If you have questions, you may call the Florida Public Service Commissions Office of Consumer Assistance & Outreach at 1-800-342-3552, fax your questions
to 1-800-511-0809, or contact the FPSC via the following e-mail address:
contact@psc.state.fl.us
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Or write to the
Florida Public Service Commission
Office of Consumer Assistance & Outreach
2540 Shumard Oak Boulevard
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0850
See our Internet home page at http://www.floridapsc.com.
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