Special Services – The Lifeline Service

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Changes to Federal Lifeline Discount for Voice Service Effective December 1

Effective December 1, 2020,  the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) reduced the Lifeline program discount on stand-alone voice service from $7.25 to $5.25 per month. Lifeline is a federal program that lowers the monthly cost of phone or Internet service for qualifying low-income customers. Eligible customers may receive a discount of $5.25 on their monthly bill for telephone service or a discount of $9.25 on their bill for qualifying Internet service. For more information, please visit https://www.fcc.gov/general/lifeline-program-low-income-consumers or call Brazos business office at 1-800-687-3222 or (940) 564-5659.

The Lifeline Service

The Federal Communications Commission and the Public Utility Commission of Texas have established the Lifeline Service program to make communications services more affordable for eligible customers. Lifeline Service is a program designed to make communications services available at reduced rates to eligible residential customers. A federal discount is available to qualifying customers of voice service, or broadband internet service. Customers may also qualify for a state discount on local voice telephone service.

Information about customers who qualify for Lifeline Service may be shared between state agencies and Brazos Communications.

Who Qualifies?

You are eligible for Lifeline Service if your annual household income is at or below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines or in your household resides a person who receives or has a child who receives benefits from at least one of the following programs:

• Medicaid
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
• Veterans Pension or Survivors Pension
• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)**
• Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)**
• Health benefits coverage under the state Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)**
• National School Lunch Program-Free Lunch Program**

** These programs no longer qualify for the $9.25 federal lifeline discount as of December 2, 2016; however you may be eligible for the state discount.

Lifeline Service customers subscribed to voice service will have an unlimited number of minutes for calls made within their local calling area. Lifeline discounts do not apply to optional custom calling features, long distance service, connections charges, or other miscellaneous charges. Lifeline customers may elect to subscribe to toll blocking at no charge.

Lifeline service is limited to one discount per household, and households are not permitted to receive Lifeline benefits from multiple providers. Lifeline is a non-transferable benefit and you may not transfer your benefit to any other person. Information about customers who qualify for Lifeline service may be shared between state agencies and Brazos Telephone Cooperative.

How Do Telephone Customers Apply for Lifeline Service?

Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), 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 135% 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).

EPHA and LIHEAP recipients:

If you have telephone service and participate in one of the programs listed above, or your annual household income is at or below 135% 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 LIDA. If you qualify, 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 135% 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. If you qualify, you will see the Lifeline Service reduction in your monthly bill within sixty days.

Lifeline Enrollment Form

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