The federal Lifeline and state Telephone Assistance Plan (TAP) programs provide monthly telephone service discounts on one landline or wireless telephone per household.
Qualifying households located on Tribal lands may receive an additional discount on activation charges through the Link-up program.
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 telephone users a discount of $7.25 on monthly charges for landline or wireless service; a discount of $9.25 applies to internet service. Many cell phone providers offering Lifeline have a set amount of minutes and a mobile handset at no charge. Lifeline subscribers also may receive free long distance blocking on their landline telephone. Beginning December 1, 2020, monthly discounts for telephone services under this program will drop to $5.25.
Telephone Assistance Program (TAP)
TAP provides a monthly discount of $7.00 on landline voice service (excluding cell phones). The discount was increased to $7.00 on July 1, 2019. 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.
Contact your landline or wireless company to request an application or download the application using the pertinent application link, as cited below. Complete and sign the application
Attach proof of participation in one of the qualifying programs or proof of income to your application.
If applying for the Lifeline discount, mail the Lifeline application, Lifeline Household Worksheet, and documents to your landline, wireless or broadband company. You will be automatically enrolled in TAP if subscribing to voice service from a landline provider. Lifeline Applicants can also apply through the consumer portal. If applying for only the TAP discount from your service provider, mail the TAP application and documents to your landline company.
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
Household Size
Income is at 135% or less than of the federal poverty guidelines
The Telephone Equipment Distribution provides telephone equipment to people who are deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind, have a speech disability or a physical disability and need adaptive equipment in order to use the phone. DHS loans the equipment at no cost for as long as you need the equipment. The Telephone Equipment Distribution Program is funded through the Department of Commerce – Telecommunications Access Minnesota and administered by the Minnesota Department of Human Services.
Contact the TED Program at dhs.dhhsd@state.mn.us, 1-800-657-3663 (voice), or 651-964-1514 (VP).
