Landline Service
Lifeline is a government program that offers qualified low income households a
discount on their monthly local telephone bill. Each state has its own guidelines to
qualify. The application and qualification process differs by state and sometimes by
individual phone company.
• How much can I save?
You will save up to $8.25 on your basic monthly bill. These benefits apply to your
local telephone service charges that you purchase as part of a service, or as flat
rate service. These benefits will also cover your subscriber line charge.
• How do I know if I am eligible?
Program based eligibility:
• Federal Public Housing Assistance / Section 8
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
• Medicaid
• Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• National School Lunch (free program only)
• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
• Additional eligibility criteria may apply to residents of federally recognized
tribal lands
Income based eligibility:
• Total household income at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
• Are there any restrictions?
Lifeline can only be used for the primary telephone line in a household. You may
purchase additional services available to a non-Lifeline customer. The name on
the phone bill must match the name of the household member participating on the
eligible program with the exception of the National School Lunch free Program.
• How do I apply?
To apply for Lifeline call The Community Agency directly at 712-930-5593.
• What proof of eligibility do I need to provide?
You will be asked for proof of your eligibility by submitting a form signed under
penalty of perjury that you receive benefits from or a copy of any dated document
which verifies your participation in one of the qualifying programs listed above.
Proof of total household income may be required for income based qualification.
Your Lifeline benefits will take effect when proof of eligibility is received.
• How do I continue to receive Lifeline benefits?
Eligibility is reviewed periodically. Your benefits will be discontinued when you no
longer meet the eligibility requirements or when proof of eligibility is not received.
Customers who are no longer eligible for Lifeline benefits must notify their
service provider.
• Other Useful information
There are other options that can help you save money, including free toll blocking,
waived deposit with toll blocking and voluntary limit on long distance
calling (toll control).
Link Up helps households reduce the cost of initiating telephone service. This program
pays some of the cost of connecting local telephone service to your home or activating
wireless phone service. However, Link Up does not cover the cost of wiring
inside your home.
• How much will I save?
The Community Agency will waive the entire installation / activation charges for all
new customers who qualify for the Lifeline discount for a total discount of $0.
• How do I know if I am eligible?
If you qualify for Lifeline, you also qualify for Link Up.
• Are there any restrictions?
Link Up can only be used for the charges for activating a primary telephone line
or moving existing service to a new address. Charges related to wiring and
telephone jacks within your home and wireless handsets are not eligible for the
Link Up discount.
• How do I apply?
To apply for Link Up you will follow the same application process as Lifeline and the
same proof of eligibility asLifeline.
Being a Lifeline or Link Up customer does not protect you from being disconnected if
you fail to pay your telephone bill. Lifeline and Link Up discounts cannot be applied to
an outstanding balance owed to your phone company. Lifeline can only be applied
to one wireless OR wireline telephone per household.