ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

*Available only in Bevcomm service areas. Price includes one connection per household. Annual eligibility recertification is required.

ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Many individuals or low-income families qualify for assistance with telephone charges but don’t realize that this help is available to them. If you’re experiencing financial difficulties, or have a friend or a family member in this situation, we encourage you to look into these programs.

The Lifeline Program is designed to reduce the monthly telephone or broadband charges for low income-eligible customers. Lifeline Program is only for households with a phone line or Internet service with qualifying speeds (must be greater than 10x1 Mb). Lifeline can save you up to $9.25 per month depending on where you live.

Eligibility guidelines vary throughout the country. You may be eligible for Lifeline if you, or someone in your household, participate in one of the following federal assistance programs:

• Medicaid/Medical Assistance
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP aka Food Stamps)
• Supplemental Security Income
• Federal Public Housing Assistance or Section 8
• Veterans Pension Benefit Program

Note: They are no longer allowing credits for Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) or the National School Free Lunch Program, or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (MN Family Investment Program, or MFIP)

Individuals who do not qualify under any of the above but live on or near a federally recognized reservation may qualify for Lifeline Assistance if the applicant receives benefits from at least one of the following programs:

• Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
• Tribally Administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
• Head Start (only for those meeting its income qualifying standard)
• National School Lunch Program’s free lunch program

 To learn more about Lifeline, visit www.lifelinesupport.org, or stop by your local Bevcomm office for more details.

Minnesota Residents accepting Lifeline: You will automatically be enrolled in the TAP Program as required by the Minnesota Law and the applicable Commission Orders.

Lifeline credits may be used to reduce the price of broadband Internet service in addition to reducing the price of landline service, but TAP credits may only be used to reduce the price of landline service.

Please deliver your completed application to your local Bevcomm office.

ASSITANCE PROGRAM

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

TAP offers a $10.00 per month discount on home landline telephone service.

The Lifeline Program offers a $9.25 per month discount on a home landline or internet service or on cell phone service.

How do I find out if I am eligible?

Contact your service provider to ask if you qualify. 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?

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.

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TAP APPLICATION

ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

We protect our customers by working with a national cooperative of TV providers, negotiating fees and programming on your behalf. We want you to have access to all your favorite programs at a price that’s fair. We know that anything less is unacceptable – it’s why we go to bat for you.

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