There are support programs for qualifying low-income customers and those financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Qualifying customers can click on each program for more information.
Telephone Assistance Program (Lifeline)
Lifeline is the FCC’s program to help make communications services more affordable for low-income consumers. Lifeline provides subscribers a discount on monthly telephone service purchased from participating providers. The discounts, which can be applied to stand-alone broadband, bundled voice-broadband packages — either fixed or mobile — and/or stand-alone voice service, help ensure that low-income consumers can afford state-of-the-art broadband and the access it provides to jobs, education and opportunities.
The Lifeline discount may be used for voice or qualified broadband service, but not both.
Lifeline discounts of $5.25 per month on voice services are available to participants of federally recognized aid programs. For Montana subscribers, the Montana Telephone Assistance Plan provides an additional $3.50 discount on voice service for those subscribers who use Medicaid as the qualifying program for Lifeline.
Lifeline discounts of $9.25 per month on broadband services are available to participants of federally recognized aid programs and are limited to certain broadband services. Broadband speeds must be 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload or faster to qualify.
If you purchase voice and qualifying broadband services, the federal Lifeline discount will apply to your qualifying broadband service.
If you purchase voice service and non-qualifying broadband service, you may qualify to receive both state and federal Lifeline discounts on your voice service if you live in Montana.
Tribal Lifeline — offers a deeper monthly discount as well as installation assistance through the Link-Up program to qualifying customers who live on federally recognized Tribal lands.
To see if you qualify for Lifeline, visit their website.
Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)
The Affordable Connectivity Program stopped accepting new applications and enrollments on February 8th, 2024. Barring additional funding from Congress, April is expected to be the last month enrolled households will receive the full benefit. Consumers had to be approved and enrolled with a service provider by 11:59 p.m. ET on February 7th to receive the ACP benefit. For more information, please visit the FCC ACP Program.
