Lifeline Service and Link-Up Program
The Federal Communications Commission and the Public Utility Commission of Texas have established two programs to make telephone service more affordable to eligible customers. Lifeline Service is a program designed to make telephone service available at reduced rates to eligible residential customers. Link-Up is a program designed to offer eligible customers a reduction in installation charges for telephone service equal to one half of the service connection charges or $30.00, whichever is less.
Who Qualifies?
You are eligible for Lifeline Service and Link-Up Program if your annual household income is at or below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines, or in your house hold resides a person who receives or has a child who receives benefits from at least one of the following programs:
Medicaid
Food Stamps
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Health benefits coverage under the state Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
How Do Telephone Customers Apply for Lifeline Service?
• Medicaid, Food Stamps, and SSI recipients:
If you currently have telephone service, you should automatically receive the Lifeline Service reduction. If you have telephone service and participate in one of the programs listed above, or your annual household income is at or below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines, and you are not receiving the Lifeline Service reduction, please contact the Low-Income Discount Administrator (LIDA) at 1-866-454-8387 (1-866-4-LITE-UP)
•
FPH and LIHEAP recipients:
If you have telephone service and participate in one of the programs listed above, or your annual household income is a or below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines, and you are not receiving the Lifeline Service reduction, you need to contact the Low-Income Discount Administrator (LIDA) at 1-866-454-8387 (1-866-4-LITE-UP) to request a blank self-certification form for Lifeline Service. Once you receive the form, complete and sign it and mail it back to LIDA. You will see the Lifeline Service reduction in your monthly bill within sixty days.
•
Low-Income Standard:
If you do not participate in any of the programs listed above and believe your household income is at or below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines and you currently have telephone service, call LIDA at 1-866-454-8387 (1-866-4-LITE-UP) to request a blank self-certification form for Lifeline Service. Once you receive the form, complete and sign it and mail it back to LIDA. You will see the Lifeline Service reduction in your monthly bill within sixty days.
How Do Telephone Customers and Applicants for Telephone Service Apply for Link-Up Program?
The Link-Up Program provides applicants for telephone service and telephone customers who move their service a discount on installation charges.
If you do not have telephone service and wish to obtain telephone service, or if you have telephone service and you move and you qualify for the Link-Up Program by participating in one of the programs listed above or your household income is at or below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines you may receive a 50% reduction or $30.00 credit, whichever is less on installation charges to establish service or move service. Please call our office at (979) 357-4411 to establish your new service or move your existing service and request a Link-Up discount.
Please call the LIDA at 1-866-454-8387 (1-866-4-LITE-UP) if you have any questions regarding the Lifeline Service and Link-Up Program.
