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The Office of Consumer Advocate

Working on behalf of NH's utility ratepayers

The Lifeline program is designed to give qualified residential telephone customers a monthly reduction on their local telephone bill. This is a federally funded program, funded by the Universal Service Fee on your telephone bills.  The Universal Service Administration Company (USAC) monitors this fund.  They have a website with valuable information and tools, such as the eligibility tool, which can be found at http://www.lifelinesupport.org/ls/.  The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) also has some useful resources regarding the lifeline program at http://www.fcc.gov/encyclopedia/lifeline-public-service-announcements-psas.
To apply, contact your local telephone company.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question:  How much of a discount do you get?
Answer:  A major overhaul of the program has increased the monthly credit to up to $9.25 off your telephone bill. 

Question: How do I Qualify?
Answer: There are two ways to qualify for the Lifeline Telephone Assistance program. There is also a pre-screening tool you can utilize on http://www.lifelinesupport.org/ls/eligibility/default.aspx. 

1. If you are participating in Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Federal Public Housing Assistance or Section 8, Low Income Home Energy Assistance, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or the National School Lunch Program; or
2. Do you live on federally recognized Tribal Lands
3. If your household income is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.  

Question:  How do I enroll?
Answer:  You must fill out the application and mail it in to your telephone company.  If your eligibility is based on participating in another program, you must provide a copy of your letter that says you are enrolled in that program.

Question:  Once I am enrolled, do I need to do more?
Answer:  Yes, you will need to recertify every year.  You should receive a re-certification notification requiring you to re-certify your eligibility. You could receive a letter in the mail, a telephone call, or a text message asking you to re-certify.  If you fail to respond by the deadline indicated, your Lifeline discount will be eliminated.
In addition, you must inform your telephone company if you no longer qualify for Lifeline service.  If you become ineligible for Lifeline, you must contact your telephone company directly to de-enroll from Lifeline service.

Question: What if the telephone company I use isn’t listed here?
Answer: It may not be a participating company, however we encourage you to contact your telephone utility and ask. You may also contact the Consumer Affairs Division of the Public Utilities Commission. There are also some wireless companies that provide lifeline.  Check out the listing by USAC for our state at http://www.lifelinesupport.org/ls/CompanyListing.aspx?
state=NH&stateName=New%20Hampshire.

Participating Telephone Companies

Bretton Woods Telephone Company – Please click on the brochure or you may contact them at (603) 278-9911 or 1-800-700-9911 (in NH only)

Dixville Telephone Company does not have Lifeline brochures, but you still may apply. Contact them at 603-255-9911.

Dunbarton Telephone Company does not have Lifeline brochures, but you still may apply. Application forms for this program are available in their business office. The business office is located at 2 Stark Hwy South, Dunbarton NH 03045.  Or you may contact them at (603) 774-9911.

Granite State Communications - Their brochure is on their website, or you may contact them at (603) 529-9911.

Northland Telephone Company – Please click on the brochure to apply or you may contact them at 1-866-984-2001.

TDS Telecom - (includes Hollis Telephone Company, Kearsarge Telephone Company, Merrimack County Telephone Company, Wilton Telephone Company and now Union Telephone Company) - Their brochure is on their website, or you may contact them at 1-866-571-6662.

Union Telephone Company (now part of TDS Telecom) - Their brochure is on their website, or you may contact them at 1-866-571-6662.

FairPoint Communications – Please click on the brochure to apply, or you may contact them at 1-866-984-2001.

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