Federal Lifeline Discount Program and Affordable Connectivity Program Available for Tribal Members

Bevcomm covers some of the LCO Tribal Reservation in Radisson area and around the Chippewa Flowage

What is the Lifeline/TAP program?

The federal Lifeline program, established in 1985 by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), assists qualifying low-income consumers to afford telecommunications service, including traditional landline service, wireless/mobile service, and broadband internet access service (internet). The Lifeline program is available to eligible low-income consumers in every U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, and on tribal lands. Qualifying households located on Tribal lands may also receive an additional discount on local telephone activation charges through the FCC’s Link-Up program.

What is the current benefit under the Lifeline/TAP Program?

The Lifeline program benefit is $9.25/month. There is also an enhanced Lifeline discount of $25 available to eligible persons living on Tribal lands or Indian reservations.

How can I determine if I am eligible for the Lifeline/TAP discount?

A consumer enrolled in one or more of the following programs, or have an income that is at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines may participate in the program:

• Federal Housing Assistance

• Medicaid/Medical Assistance

• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)/Food Stamps)

• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

Veterans Pension or Survivors Pension Benefit Additional qualifying programs for persons living on a reservation:

• Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance

• Food Distribution program on Indian Reservation (FDPIR)

• Tribally administered Head Start (only those meeting its income qualifying standard)

• Tribally administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TTANF)

(Note that Supplemental Social Security (SSI) is different from Social Security. SSI is a federal income supplement program funded by general tax revenues (not Social Security taxes). SSI helps aged, blind and disabled people who have little or no income. Also note, Medicare is not a qualifier for the Lifeline program.)

For more detail, please find Lifeline Fact Sheets and enrollment instructions attached. If you have any questions about the Lifeline program, learn more at https://www.lifelinesupport.org/.

More recently, the Affordable Connectivity Program was created by the FCC to help households struggling to pay for internet service. Eligible households can enroll in the ACP through an approved provider or by visiting AffordableConnectivity.gov. To learn more about the program or to become a partner visit www.fcc.gov/acp.

Bevcomm customers can get more information about enrollment by calling our local office in Weyerhaeuser at 715-353-2434 or visit www.bevcomm.net.