Lifeline

Lifeline Telecommunications Program Lifeline helps low-income consumers connect to the nation’s communications network so they can find jobs, access health care services, connect with family and call for help in an emergency. The Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) oversees the Lifeline program across the country. https://www.lifelinesupport.org/ls/d efault.aspx  Lifeline is a federal program that provides a $9.25 monthly discount on phone or internet service to eligible households. Your “household” includes everyone who lives with you and shares in the household income and expenses. This includes children, adults, relatives and people not related to you. Only one Lifeline benefit—either wireless or landline phone, home internet or cell phone data plan—is allowed per household. Not all internet services will qualify for the discount. Only those internet offerings at speeds of 10/1 Mbps and above will qualify, with certain exceptions. Franklin Telephone Co., Inc. lifeline participants bill will show: • receive the federal lifeline credit of $9.25/month • the Vermont lifeline credit • the Access Recover Charge will be reduced to zero • No charge for calls to local “285”, “933” and “868” • Please refer to the Long Distance section for charges beyond the local area · Eligibility Find out if you are eligible for assistance by checking the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) webpage Do I Qualify?  · Application As of November 1, 2017, to apply for the Lifeline credit you must request an application from your participating landline or cell phone company. Franklin Telephone Co., Inc. is a participating provider.  Please call our office at 802-285-9911 or visit us at 5217 Main Street, Franklin, VT for an application. Fill out the Lifeline application form and return it with proof of eligibility or income—see the application form for more details or provide a copy of a card or award letter to prove participation in Medicaid, 3SquaresVT (SNAP*) or certain other programs. OR provide a pay stub or tax return to prove your income is at or below 135% of the federal proverty guidelines. See the USAC webpage for the 2017 Federal Poverty Guidelines to determine if you are eligible based on income. * In Vermont, the SNAP program is called "3SquaresVT." For more information about the federal Lifeline program, see the USAC webpage Get Connected. For assistance with the federal Lifeline program, please call the USAC Lifeline consumer support phone number at 1-800-234-9473. Vermont’s Universal Service Fund (VUSF) provides an additional discount on telephone service only, and the amount varies between companies depending upon the provider and the cost of service, but may not exceed $4.25 per month or the amount of the VUSF credit you received as of November 1, 2017. For more details please see the Department's Vermont Universal Service Fund webpage.