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Link Up & Lifeline

Lifeline

People whose household income qualifies may obtain at least $13.50 per month off the cost of basic local telephone service. The discount is given by the local phone company (which gets reimbursed for the discount from a special fund). The credit appears each month on the Lifeline participant's bill.

The household income thresholds for Lifeline qualification are:

• 150 percent of the federal poverty standard for a family of two for people under 65 ($19,800 in 2006)
• 175 percent of the federal poverty for people 65 and older ($23,100 in 2006).

The Vermont Income Tax forms package includes an application and income information. In addition, families receiving public benefits through the Economic Services Division of the Department of Children and Families (formerly PATH or DSW) can apply through their DCF office. For more information, call DCF at 1-800-287-0589 or, if you are 65 or older, call the Senior Help Line at 1-800-642-5119.

A Lifeline application form is available online. Go to the Vermont Department of Taxes website and download the form called "Lifeline Application" (in pdf format).

Each year, the Department of Public Service publishes a Lifeline annual report ( pdf - 44k) to the legislature, which contains a wealth of information about Lifeline and other programs funded by the Vermont Universal Service Fund.

Link-Up

People whose household income qualifies may have the cost of telephone installation reduced by half to a maximum benefit of $30. Consumers qualify for Link Up by becoming eligible for Lifeline. The two programs have the same eligibility criteria. A person who qualifies for Lifeline can simply request the Link Up discount for installation. The telephone company providing service will receive verification from the Department of Children and Families or the Department of Taxes that the person is eligible and will provide the Link Up discount.