Many landline and wireless providers offer discounts from the federal Lifeline program and Minnesota's Telephone Assistance Plan. The credits apply to one main home telephone number listed in the applicant's name.

• Lifeline 
  Lifeline provides qualified users a discount of $9.25 on monthly charges for either internet-only service or a bundle that includes Internet service.  Lifeline provides qualified users a discount of $5.25 on monthly charges for landline-only service or voice-only wireless service.”
• Telephone Assistance Program (TAP) 
  TAP provides a monthly discount of $10.00 on landline voice service (excluding cell phones). The discount was increased to $10.00 on April 1, 2021. If a customer receives Lifeline from a landline phone/internet provider and purchases voice service, the customer will be automatically enrolled in TAP without the need for the customer to complete a separate TAP application. You may apply for TAP separately for your landline service if your landline provider does not offer Lifeline, or if you obtain Lifeline from a wireless provider.
• Link-Up 
  Link-Up offers a 100 percent reduction, up to $100, off installation charges to qualifying residents of Tribal lands. Link-Up will NOT cover the cost of a telephone or wiring your home.

Am I eligible?

Telephone service must be in your name and you must show proof you, or someone in your household, either participates in one or more of the qualifying programs, or you meet the qualifying income guidelines. If you choose to qualify based on your income, you must attach one of the income qualifying documents to your application.

When you no longer participate in any of the qualifying public assistance programs or you no longer meet the income guidelines, you must notify the Lifeline and/or TAP provider that you are no longer eligible to participate in the programs.

Annual Recertification

Lifeline customers must re-certify their Lifeline eligibility each year. Lifeline customers will receive information from their local service provider or the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) when it is time for eligibility to be recertified. If you are recertified as eligible for Lifeline, you will also stay enrolled in TAP, if applicable.

Not all telephone and internet companies offer discounts

Contact your phone or internet company and ask for a Lifeline/Link-Up/TAP application, or download an application under the “Apply” tab. If your local telephone company is not authorized to provide discounts, contact the Department of Commerce at 651-539-1876, or telecom.commerce@state.mn.us, to find an authorized provider.

The following programs to verify your eligibility applies to Lifeline, Lifeline Enhanced Tribal Benefit, and TAP. 

Programs accepted for customer eligibility of Lifeline and TAP for internet and telephone discount participation:

• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as Food Stamps
• Medicaid
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA) (including Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program (Section 8 Vouchers), Project-Based Rental Assistance (PBRA)/202/811, Public Housing, and Affordable Housing Programs for American Indians, Alaska Natives or Native Hawaiians)
• Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
• Additional qualifying programs for persons living on a reservation:
• Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
• Tribally administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
• Tribally administered Head Start (only those meeting its income qualifying standard)
• Food Distribution program on Indian Reservation (FDPIR)

You may need to show a card, letter, or official document as proof that you participate in one of these programs.

If you do not participate in any qualifying programs, you may qualify by demonstrating that your income is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines by attaching one of the following documents to your application:

• Last year's State, Federal or Tribal Tax Return
• Social Security Benefits Statement
• Current pay stubs or other official documentation of income for the last three months annual income statement from employer
• Retirement/Pension Benefits Statement
• Three consecutive months of most recent paycheck stubs or other official documentation
• Divorce Decree
• Veterans Administration Benefits Statement
• Child Support Document
• Unemployment/Worker's 

Federal Poverty Guidelines

The following wireless providers are authorized to provide the Lifeline discount to Minnesota customers:. Note: Providers with an asterisk (*) offer a free cell phone if you are eligible for Lifeline service.

If you meet certain eligibility requirements, you may qualify to receive telecommunications equipment at no cost from Minnesota Access to Communication Technology (MN ACT). MN ACT loans telecommunications equipment to people who are hard of hearing, deaf, deafblind, speech disabled, or physically disabled. If you do not qualify, MN ACT staff can provide you with a directory of vendors where equipment can be purchased. For more information on MN ACT:

• Website: https://mn.gov/deaf-hard-of-hearing/communication-access/mnact/
• Phone (voice): 651-431-5945 or 1-800-657-3663
• ASL via Video Phone: 651-964-1514
• Email: dhs.dhhsd@state.mn.us