Minnesota's Telephone Assistance Plan (TAP) and Federal Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) offer monthly discounts on landline telephone, cell phone, or broadband internet service. Several telephone companies and wireless (or cellphone) providers offer telephone service discounts to income qualifying households.
There are income guidelines for the programs. Your income must be at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines. If you are enrolled in Lifeline, you qualify for TAP. You qualify if you are in one of these qualifying programs; Medicaid, Federal Public Housing Assistance, SNAP or food stamps, SSI, Veterans Pension or Survivors Pension Benefit. Telephone service must be in your name to qualify for the credit. There are additional qualifying programs for people who live on a reservation.
If you are enrolled in Medicaid or Federal Public Housing Assistance you will be automatically enrolled in Lifeline each year. If you are enrolled in the other programs or qualify because of your income, USAC will send you a form to recertify to keep Lifeline. If you are enrolled in Lifeline, you will remain enrolled in TAP and do not need to reapply to TAP.
You will need to show proof that you, or a member of your household, meet the income guidelines or that you are in one or more of the qualifying programs. You will have to provide proof of your income or provide proof that you are in one of the qualifying programs. The TAP application provides more details.
Many landline (or home phone) and internet service companies offer telephone service discounts to income qualifying households. Some approved wireless companies also offer discounts. Some plan options offer free phones.
| Wireless Provider | Customer Service |
| Access Wireless | 1-866-594-3644 |
| American Assistance | 1-877-266-7212 |
| Assist Wireless* | 1-855-392-7747 |
| Assurance Wireless* | 1-888-321-5880 |
| enTouch Wireless* | 1-866-488-8719 |
| Life Wireless* | 1-888-543-3620 |
| North American Local* | 1-877-200-1367 |
| Q Link Wireless* | 1-855-754-6543 |
| SafeLink Wireless* | 1-800-723-3546 |
| StandUp Wireless* | 1-800-544-4441 |
| Tag Mobile | 1-866-959-4918 |
| Tempo Telecom* | 1-877-822-8501 |
| TerraCom Wireless* | 1-888-716-8880 |
| T-Mobile Wireless | 1-800-937-8997 |
| TruConnect* | 1-800-430-0443 |
*This telephone company offers a free cell phone if you are eligible for Lifeline service.
Minnesota's Telephone Assistance Program (TAP) is a $10 monthly bill credit for landline telephones. The Lifeline bill credit is up to $9.25 monthly for landline telephone service, cell phone service, or broadband internet service. There is an additional $25 Lifeline credit offered to a person living on Tribal lands or reservations.
If you have questions about the TAP or Lifeline programs or how to apply, you can contact your local telephone company or the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission's Consumer Affairs Office. The Consumer Affairs Office can be reached in the at 651-296-0406, toll free at 1-800-657-3782, or by email at consumer.puc@state.mn.us.
