LIFELINE & LINKUP ASSISTANCE
Lifeline is a government benefit program supported by the Universal Service Fund that provides a discount on landline and broadband service for qualifying consumers. Lifeline helps ensure that eligible consumers have the opportunities and security that landline phone and broadband service brings, including being able to connect to jobs, family, and emergency services.
Qualifying for Lifeline Support – Non-Tribal and Tribal
A consumer of SRT Communications (or someone in your household) must either have a household income that is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or participate in one of the following assistance programs:
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA) or Section 8
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) general assistance program
- Medicaid
- Veteran Pension & Survivor Pension Benefit
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Head Start (only households meeting the income qualifying standard)
- Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF)
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
If you are requesting Lifeline on the basis of your household income, please refer to the Estimated Income Requirements for a Household at or below the Federal Poverty Guidelines. You may find this chart, which is revised annually, on the United States Department of Health and Human Services, website at http://aspe.hhs.gov.
Important Notes for Eligible Consumers Nationwide
Lifeline is available for wireless, landline and broadband services, however only one discount per household is allowed. Lifeline is a government benefit program, and consumers who willfully make false statements in order to obtain the benefit can be punished by fine or imprisonment or can be barred from the program.
Lifeline is available for wireless, landline and broadband services, however only one discount per household is allowed. Lifeline is a government benefit program, and consumers who willfully make false statements in order to obtain the benefit can be punished by fine or imprisonment or can be barred from the program.
Important Notes for Eligible Consumers Living on Tribal Lands
Link-Up provides eligible consumers living on Tribal lands with a one-time discount of up to $100 on the initial installation or activation of a wireless, landline or broadband service for the primary residence. Also, Tribal Lifeline takes up to an extra $25 off your monthly bill.
Minimum Service Standards
Landline – unlimited local calling, toll charges will apply at your long distance company’s rates.
Broadband – speed of 18x2Mbps and usage of at least 1000GB per month.
Lifeline Support Level Phase-Down
Landline Broadband
12/1/2019 $7.25 $9.25
12/1/2020 $5.25 $9.25
12/1/2021 $5.25 $9.25
12/1/2022 $5.25 $9.25
How Can I Sign Up?
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is now using a National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier to review an applicant’s Lifeline eligibility. You can apply for Lifeline by visiting www.CheckLifeline.org by selecting your state in the drop down menu on that site. Once the National Verifier approves your application, contact SRT to activate your Lifeline benefits.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is now using a National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier to review an applicant’s Lifeline eligibility. You can apply for Lifeline by visiting www.CheckLifeline.org by selecting your state in the drop down menu on that site. Once the National Verifier approves your application, contact SRT to activate your Lifeline benefits.
For more details, contact the FCC at 1-888-225-5322 voice, 1-888-835-5322 TTY, or by mail at FCC, 445 12th ST SW, Washington, DC 20554. You may also visit the FCC’s website at www.lifeline.gov.
Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)
The Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC’s) Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) changed to ACP on March 1, 2022, after a 60-day transition period. The new benefit for eligible households under ACP is a discount of up to $30 per month for broadband service. The EBB program previously provided a $50 benefit. Households on Tribal lands will be eligible to receive a benefit of up to $75 per month for service.
Previous EBB-enrolled customers who would like to continue receiving their current service with the $30 ACP benefit should contact SRT at 701-852-7777 to opt in before April 6, 2022; otherwise, the monthly discount will be removed from their account. Households also have the right to cancel or change service, switch providers without incurring an early termination fee, or opt out of ACP at any time.
For more information on ACP, you can visit ACPBenefit.org.
What is Lifeline and how do I qualify?
Lifeline is the FCC’s program to help make communications services more affordable for low-income consumers. To participate in the Lifeline program, consumers must either have an income that is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or participate in certain federal assistance programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicaid, Federal Public Housing Assistance, Supplemental Security Income, the Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit, or certain Tribal Programs. You can see if you are eligible by reviewing the information available at www.lifelinesupport.org and clicking on “Do I Qualify?”.
