Lifeline

What is Lifeline?
Lifeline is a federal benefit that lowers the monthly cost of phone or internet service for eligible low-income subscribers.

How do I know if I’m eligible?
To be eligible for Lifeline assistance, you must meet income-based criteria currently defined as at or below 135 % of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (see table) OR participate in at least one of the following programs:

• Medicaid
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Federal Public Housing Assistance
• Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit

135 percent of federal poverty guidelines (As of January 2019)

• 1 person: $16,862
• 2 people: $22,829
• 3 people: $28,796
• 4 people: $34,763
• 5 people: $40,730
• 6 people: $46,697
• 7 people: $52,664
• 8 people: $58,631

* For each additional person, add $5,967

Lifeline Rules
If you qualify, your household can get Lifeline for phone or internet service, but not both.

• If you get Lifeline for phone service, you can get the benefit for one mobile phone or one home phone, but not both.
• If you get Lifeline for internet service, you can get the benefit for your mobile phone or your home connection, but not both.
• If you get Lifeline for bundled phone and internet service, you can get the benefit for your mobile phone bundled service or your home bundled service, but not both.

Your household cannot get Lifeline from more than one phone or internet company.

You are only allowed to get one Lifeline benefit per household, not per person. If more than one person in your household gets Lifeline, you are breaking the FCC’s rules and will lose your benefit.

What is a household?
A household is a group of people who live together and share income and expenses (even if they are not related to each other).

Do not give your benefit to another person
Lifeline is non-transferable. You cannot give your Lifeline benefit to another person, even if they qualify.

Be honest
You must give accurate and true information on this form and on all Lifeline-related forms or questionnaires. If you give false or fraudulent information, you will lose your Lifeline benefit (i.e., de-enrollment or being barred from the program) and the United States government can take legal actions against you. This may include (but is not limited to) fines or imprisonment.

You may need to show other documents
You may need to show an official document from one of the government qualifying programs or to prove your annual income.

• If you qualify through a government program: copies of your state ID card and an official document from the programs you are qualifying through. (The document must contain your name.)
• If you qualify through your income: copies of your state ID card and pay stubs for 3 consecutive months (or other accepted documents).

Visit lifelinesupport.org to see the full list of accepted documents.

HOW TO APPLY FOR LIFELINE

Option 1: Apply online through the Lifeline National Verifier

Visit the Lifeline National Verifier from any computer or mobile device. You most likely will need to upload verification documents to the website if you don’t quality under the Federal Public Housing Assistance. If you’re deemed eligible for benefits, contact Alliance Communications at 1-800-701-4980. The Lifeline National Verifier does not notify the provider.

Option 2: Apply in person

Visit one of our business offices:

Brandon: 113 N. Splitrock Blvd.
Garretson: 612 Third St.
Baltic: 501 Second St

An Alliance representative will enter your information and enroll you if you’re eligible. Please bring documentation that proves you’re eligible to receive Lifeline benefits.

Option 3: Apply by mail

Complete this application. Then mail the application and a copy of documentation that proves you’re eligible to receive Lifeline benefits to USAC at the address listed on the application.

For more information, dial 611 from any Alliance phone, (605) 582-6311 from your cell phone or 1-800-701-4980.

Lifeline Terms and Conditions

*The Lifeline program isn’t available in the communities of Beaver Creek, Hardwick, Jasper, Kanaranzi, Kenneth, Magnolia and rural Luverne.

What is Lifeline?

Lifeline is a federal government program that assists qualified low-income residents by providing a monthly reduction on their local telephone or broadband Internet service bill. (Low income programs aren’t available in all areas.*)

Minnesota residents who receive Lifeline benefits for Alliance phone or Internet service will be automatically enrolled in the Minnesota Telephone Assistance Plan. TAP credits can be used to reduce the price of landline phone service only.

You may only receive Lifeline assistance from one wireline or wireless telephone provider, or one broadband Internet provider per household. A “Household” is defined as any individual or group of individuals who are living together at the same address as one economic unit.  An “economic unit” consists of all adult individuals contributing to and sharing in the income and expenses of a household.

How do I know if I’m eligible?

To be eligible for Lifeline assistance, you must meet income-based criteria currently defined as at or below 135 % of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (see table) OR participate in at least one of the following programs:

• Medicaid
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Federal Public Housing Assistance
• Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit

135 percent of federal poverty guidelines (As of January 2018)

1 person: $16,862
2 people: $22,829
3 people: $28,796
4 people: $34,763
5 people: $40,730
6 people: $46,697
7 people: $52,664
8 people: $58,631
* For each additional person, add $5,967

In addition, you must not currently be receiving Lifeline assistance, and no other person in your household can be subscribed to the Lifeline program.

How do I apply?

1. Complete the following forms.

•  Minnesota Lifeline Worksheet
• Minnesota Lifeline Application Form
• Spanish versions of the Lifeline forms are available here.

Lifeline Terms and Conditions

• Minnesota customers

Please include any supporting documents. Mail the completed form and supporting documents to Alliance Communications, PO Box 349, Garretson, SD 57030.

2.  Re-certification forms are mailed to all Lifeline subscribers every year.  When you receive a re-certification form, complete and return it to Alliance Communications within 60 days.  Re-certification is mandatory. We must suspend your eligibility for low-income assistance if you do not return the re-certification form.

Application Checklist

When applying for Lifeline benefits, please provide the following information:

1. A signed and completed Lifeline Assistance Certification Form.

2. A copy of one of the following if applying based on the size and income level of a customer’s household:

• Last year’s federal or state income tax return
• Current annual income statement from employer
• Paycheck stubs for most recent three consecutive months
• Social Security statement of benefits
• Veteran’s Administration statement of benefits
• Retirement or pension statement of benefits
• Unemployment or worker’s compensation statement of benefits
• Letter of participation in general assistance
• Divorce decree or child support documentation

3.  Supporting documentation of program-based eligibility if applying based on participation in Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Supplemental Security Income, Federal Public Housing Assistance, or Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit.

Acceptable documentation of program eligibility includes the current or prior year’s statement of benefits from a qualifying assistance program, a notice, letter or documents of participation in a qualifying assistance program, or another official document demonstrating that you, or one or more of your dependents, or your household receives benefits from a qualifying assistance program.  Federal law requires your provider to review and securely retain this documentation.  Federal law also prevents your provider from sharing these documents with unauthorized persons.

For more information, dial 611 from any Alliance phone, (605) 582-6311 from your cell phone or 800-701-4980.

*The Lifeline program isn’t available in the communities of Beaver Creek, Hardwick, Jasper, Kanaranzi, Kenneth, Magnolia and rural Luverne.

Telephone Discounts Can Help You Stay In Touch

Minnesota’s Telephone Assistance Plan (TAP) and the federal LIFELINE Program help make telephone service affordable to low-income consumers.

• TAP offers a $7.00 per month discount on home  landline telephone service.
• The Lifeline Program offers a $9.25 per month discount on home landline or internet service OR on cell phone service.*

Please note that Lifeline credits can be used to reduce the price of broadband Internet service in addition to reducing the price of landline phone service, but TAP credits can only be used to reduce the price of landline service.

How do I find out if I am eligible?
Consumers enrolled in the following programs may already be eligible:

• Federal Public Housing Assistance
• Medical Assistance
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
• Supplemental Security Income
• Veterans Pension or Survivors Pension Benefit
• Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
• Tribally-Administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
• Head Start
• Food Distribution Program

How do I apply?

If you receive Lifeline benefits for Alliance telephone service, you will automatically be enrolled in the Minnesota Telephone Assistance Program. If you receive Lifeline benefits for wireless phone service, click here to apply for the Minnesota Telephone Assistance Program.

Your phone service provider can assist you with the application(s) or contact the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission for assistance, consumer.puc@state.mn.us or 651-296-0406 or 1-800-657-3782.

*The Lifeline program isn’t available in the communities of Beaver Creek, Hardwick, Jasper, Kanaranzi, Kenneth, Magnolia and rural Luverne.