- Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation
Living alone can be isolating, especially over the past year when socializing has been a health risk due to COVID-19. That is why the Department of Telecommunications and Cable (DTC) wants you to know, no matter your income, there are ways for you to have a home phone, cell phone, and internet plan. Since 1985, the Lifeline Program, a service administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company as part of the Universal Service Fund, has kept Americans connected and safe by providing low cost and no cost phone service options for eligible low-income consumers.
To commemorate the availability of this government service, the DTC and its partners—the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) and National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates (NASUCA)—are participating in Lifeline Awareness Week from September 20-24, 2021. Through this awareness week, these groups hope to educate the public about this life saving prevention program.
You can qualify for Lifeline at no cost if your total household income is at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines, which vary depending on the size of your household. Some Lifeline service providers offer discounted or bundled packages of home, or wireless, phone service with internet access.
Interested in Learning More or if you qualify for Lifeline:
- See income guidelines and check your eligibility here.
- Visit the USAC website and enter your zip code to locate an approved Lifeline service providerin your area.
- Apply online for this service by visiting: checklifeline.org/lifeline.
Additional telecommunications assistance programs may be available in your area, should you qualify. Visit www.mass.gov/dtc for more information.
