Telephone Service Discounts - Minnesota Public Utilities Commission

Telephone Service Discounts - Minnesota Public Utilities Commission - Consumer Affairs Office

121 7th Place East, Suite 350, Saint Paul, MN 55101-2147

Eligibility

Low income households in Minnesota (at or below 135 percent Federal Poverty Guidelines) are eligible for this program. Individuals enrolled in the following programs can also qualify by participation in: - Federal Public Housing Assistance - Medicaid/Medical Assistance - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) - Supplemental Security Income (SSI) - Veterans Pension or Survivors Pension benefit The following programs also qualify for persons living on a reservation: - Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance - Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservation (FDPIR) - Tribally Administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families - Tribally Administered Head Start (only those meeting income qualifying standard)

Required documents

The required documents are a completed and signed application, proof of address such as state ID or driver's license, and either proof of household income or proof of participation in an approved public assistance program.

Hours

8 am - 4:30 pm Monday - Friday

(651)296-0406

Voice

(800)657-3782

Voice

(651)297-7073

Fax

https://mn.gov/puc/consumers/telephone/

[email protected]

Languages

Hmong, Spanish

Application process

Contact the telephone company to obtain their specific application form. Submit the completed form to the telephone company. The Public Utilities Commission can provide additional information about the program.

Service area

Description

The federal Lifeline and the state Telephone Assistance Program (TAP) provide a monthly discount on phone bills, including cell phones. Lifeline is a discount of approximately $9.25, which can be used for wireless phones, broadband internet, home phones, or a bundle. Some cellular companies may provide free cellular phones, and additional discounts or minutes. TAP is a discount of $7 that can only be used for home phones. Those living on federally recognized tribal lands/reservations can receive additional discounts. Customers cannot receive multiple discounts (landline and wireless, or two wireless). Only one discount per household is allowed. The discount continues for as long as the consumer remains eligible, but eligibility must be certified on an annual basis. While all local telephone companies offer TAP, not all local telephone companies are required to offer Lifeline. The following wireless companies offer the Lifeline program: - Access Wireless: (866)594-3644 - American Assistance: (877)266-7212 - Assist Wireless: (855)392-7747 - Assurance Wireless: (888)321-5880 - enTouch Wireless: (866)488-8719 - Life Wireless: (888)543-3620 - North American Local: (877)200-1367 - SafeLink Wireless: (800)723-3546 - StandUp Wireless: (800)544-4441 - Tag Mobile: (866)959-4918 - Tempo Telecom: (877)822-8501 - TerraCom Wireless: (888)716-8880 - T-Mobile Wireless: (800)937-8997 - TruConnect: (800)430-0443 The list is periodically updated; visit website for the most up to date information.

What's Here

TANF Recipients Low Income Medicare Beneficiaries SSI Recipients Native American Community Medicaid Recipients Social Security Retirement Recipients General Relief Recipients Discounted Utility Services Telephone Service Payment Assistance Food Stamps/SNAP Recipients Cell Phones

Providing organization

Minnesota Public Utilities Commission - Consumer Affairs Office

Ensures individuals have safe, reliable, and affordable electric, gas, and landline telephone utility services. Conducts investigations, holds hearings, prescribes rules, and issues orders governing the conduct of regulated energy and telephone companies.