Lifeline

Call Us: 605-637-5211

What is Lifeline?

Lifeline is a federal government program that provides qualified low-income consumers assistance on communications services. Eligible subscribers can receive a monthly reduction of $5.25 per month on phone service and $9.25 per month broadband internet. You are allowed one Lifeline discount (phone or internet, but not both) per household. In addition, Federal Universal Service Charge and Access Recovery Charge are not accessed to consumers participating in Lifeline. Lifeline provides subscriber a discount on monthly telephone service, broadband Internet service, or bundled voice-broadband packages from participating provider.

View RC’s Phone Plans

View RC’s Internet Plans

What is Link Up?

Link Up provides a one-time discount for the connection or activation charge for a new telephone service plans and is limited to one line per household. Both the Lifeline and Link Up programs have income-based eligibility requirements.

What benefits are available through the Lifeline program’s support for Tribal lands?

Individuals who reside on Tribal lands and meet the eligibility criteria may qualify for Lifeline programs.

Tribal Lifeline provides an additional up to $25 off monthly bill, for a total Lifeline discount up to $34.25 off per month.

Support to qualifying residents off Tribal Lands applies to the main service listed in the name of the eligible telephone or internet company subscriber. Limit one per household.

Tribal Link-Up provides a one-time discount for the connection or activation charge for a new telephone service at the applicant’s primary residence. You can find out more about which areas are eligible Tribal lands by going online to https://www.lifelinesupport.org/tribal-benefit

How do I know if I eligible to participate?

To participate, the criteria based on income defined as at or below 135% of the 2020 Federal Poverty Guidelines -or- participate in certain federal assistance programs see each of these two tables below.

Federal Poverty Guidelines for 2024

2025-04-15 18_54_13-Do I Qualify_ - Universal Service Administrative Company

LIFELINE	TRIBAL LIFELINE
Medicaid	Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) General Assistance
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)	Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF)
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)	Food Distributions Program on Indian
Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)	Tribal Head Start (only household that meet the income qualifying
Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit	-

Lifeline Rules

1. Lifeline is available to subscribers who can prove eligibility. When you sign up for Lifeline, you must show proof of participation.

2. One discount per household. A household is a group of people who live together and share income. If more than one person is your household gets Lifeline, you are breaking FCC rules and will lose your benefit.

3. You must recertify/renew every year.

4. Use or Lose it. You must use it at least once every 30 days.

5. Be honest. You must give true and accurate information on all Lifeline forms or questionnaires.

6. You may need to show other documents. Visit lifelinesupport.org to find documents.

How can I Apply?

Apply Online – Click Here
Apply in Spanish – Click Here
Instructions for Mailing in Paper Application – Click Here for Paper Application – Complete the application and then mail in copy of documentation that proves your eligibility.
Contact Provider For Assistance

Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)

**UPDATE**

RC Technologies received a notice from FCC that the Affording Connectivity Program (ACP) is winding down because funding is be depleted, ACP applications and enrollments will not be processed after February 7, 2024 at 11:59 PM ET. ACP applications must be submitted into RC Technologies early enough to allow time to process them.

The Affordable Connectivity Program is a federal government benefit program operated by the FCC that helps connect families and households struggling to afford internet service. The Affordable Connectivity Program provides:

Up to $30/month discount for broadband service
Up to $75/month discount for households on qualifying Tribal lands
A one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet purchased through a participating provider if the household contributes more than $10 but less than $50 toward the purchase price

The Affordable Connectivity Program benefit is non-transferable and is limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount per household. If the program ends, or if a household becomes ineligible for the benefit, the household will be subject to the provider’s regular rates, terms, and conditions.

Who is Eligible?

A household is eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program if the household income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or if a member of the household meets at least one of the criteria below:

Participates in certain assistance programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid, Federal Public Housing Assistance, SSI, WIC, or the federal Lifeline Program
Participates in one of several Tribal specific programs, such as Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Tribal Head Start, Tribal TANF, or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
Participates in the National School Lunch Program or the School Breakfast Program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision
Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year

Two-Steps to Enroll

Go to GetInternet.gov to submit an application or print a mail-in application; and
Contact RC Technologies at 605-637-5211 to select a plan and have the discount applied to your bill.

Eligible households must both apply for the program and contact a participating provider to select a service plan and enroll in the program.

About ACP – Description of the program

ACP Preliminary Disclosures and Consent To Enroll

LIFELINE

Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)

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