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Consumer Assistance Programs
Support options for qualifying low-income customers
Qualifying customers have access to these support programs:
- Lifeline — Federal assistance for income-qualified customers for phone or internet service.
- Telephone Assistance Program (TAP) — Assistance offered at the state level
Lifeline overview
Lifeline is the FCC's program to help make communication services more affordable for low-income consumers. Lifeline provides subscribers a discount on monthly telephone or broadband service purchased from Brightspeed. The discounts which can be applied to voice services, a voice bundle, broadband services, or bundled broadband packages (either fixed or mobile), help ensure that low-income consumers can afford state-of-the-art voice or broadband and the access they provide to jobs, education, and opportunities.
The Lifeline discount may be used for voice or qualified broadband service, but not both.
- Lifeline discounts on voice services are available to participants of both state and federally-recognized aid programs.
- Lifeline discounts on broadband services are available to participants of federally-recognized aid programs and is limited to certain broadband services. Broadband speeds must be 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload or faster to qualify.
- If you purchase voice and qualifying broadband services, the federal Lifeline discount will apply to your qualifying broadband service.
- If you purchase voice service and a non-qualifying broadband service, you may qualify to receive both state and federal Lifeline discounts on your voice service.
Standard Lifeline — provides federal monthly support of up to $9.25 for qualifying broadband service and $5.25 for voice services. In some states, additional monthly support is also available.
Tribal Lifeline — offers a deeper monthly discount as well as installation assistance through the Link-Up program to qualifying customers who live on federally-recognized Tribal lands.
How to apply for Lifeline
All customers must apply for Lifeline through the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC). The USAC site guides you through eligibility and application. After the USAC qualification has been completed, notify Brightspeed with your confirmation number to get the discount added to your qualifying service.
General eligibility requirements for Lifeline:
- Lifeline is available to qualified customers in every U.S. state. Qualification requirements vary by state.
- One Lifeline discount is available per household, even if the household has more than one telephone or broadband account, including landline or wireless service.
- Under the Lifeline program, a household is defined as any individual or group of individuals who live together at the same address and share income and expenses.
- The Lifeline discount is not transferable and only eligible customers may enroll in the program.
For details about service standards for the Lifeline program, please see the USAC pages:
Telephone assistance programs at the state level
Please select your state from the options below to see information about any additional assistance programs available to you. Each state has its own application requirements, and not all states provide additional assistance.
- Select your state:
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Louisiana
- Michigan
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- New Jersey
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Virginia
- Wisconsin
Alabama telephone assistance programs
The State of Alabama does not currently provide any telephone assistance in addition to the federal Lifeline program.
Arkansas telephone assistance programs
The State of Arkansas does not currently provide any telephone assistance in addition to the federal Lifeline program.
Georgia telephone assistance programs
The State of Georgia does not currently provide any telephone assistance in addition to the federal Lifeline program.
Illinois telephone assistance programs
The State of Illinois does not currently provide any telephone assistance in addition to the federal Lifeline program.
Indiana telephone assistance programs
The State of Indiana does not currently provide any telephone assistance in addition to the federal Lifeline program.
Kansas telephone assistance programs
In addition to Lifeline, the State of Kansas offers a state telephone assistance discount. The telephone assistance program offers up to $7.77 per month discount on home landline telephone service.
The Kansas state discount is automatically added when the subscriber qualifies for the federal Lifeline program.
Louisiana telephone assistance programs
The State of Louisiana does not currently provide any telephone assistance in addition to the federal Lifeline program.
Michigan telephone assistance programs
The Michigan Telephone Assistance Program (TAP) provides discounts on monthly service for qualified subscribers. Eligibility is determined by Brightspeed. You must first apply for Lifeline before applying to participate in TAP. If you do not qualify for the federal Lifeline discounts you still may be eligible to receive a state TAP discount. Senior citizens may also qualify for an additional state discount.
Qualifying customers (or a qualifying member of a household) must have household income at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Please be aware that the Michigan TAP discount is only available on a service that includes a voice component.
To qualify for the state-only discount you must meet one of the following qualifications:
- Low Income Housing Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
- National School Lunch Program
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
- Income below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines
Mississippi telephone assistance programs
The State of Mississippi does not currently provide any telephone assistance in addition to the federal Lifeline program.
Missouri disability program
In addition to Lifeline, the State of Missouri offers the Missouri Disability Program. The telephone assistance program offers up to $17.50 per month discount on home landline telephone service.
Click the link below and follow the instructions to complete the form.
New Jersey telephone assistance program
In addition to Lifeline, the State of New Jersey offers a state telephone assistance discount. The telephone assistance program offers up to $14.50 per month discount on home landline telephone service.
The New Jersey state discount is automatically added when the subscriber qualifies for the federal Lifeline program.
North Carolina telephone assistance programs
The State of North Carolina does not currently provide any telephone assistance in addition to the federal Lifeline program.
Ohio telephone assistance programs
In addition to Lifeline, the State of Ohio offers a state telephone assistance discount. The telephone assistance program offers up to $3.50 per month discount on home landline telephone service.
The Ohio state discount is automatically added when the subscriber qualifies for the federal Lifeline program.
Oklahoma telephone assistance program
In addition to Lifeline, the State of Oklahoma offers a state telephone assistance discount. The telephone assistance program offers up to $1.17 per month discount on home landline telephone service.
The Oklahoma state discount is automatically added when the subscriber qualifies for the federal Lifeline program.
Pennsylvania telephone assistance programs
The State of Pennsylvania does not currently provide any telephone assistance in addition to the federal Lifeline program.
South Carolina telephone assistance program
In addition to Lifeline, the State of South Carolina offers a state telephone assistance discount. The telephone assistance program offers up to $3.50 per month discount on home landline telephone service.
The South Carolina state discount is automatically added when the subscriber qualifies for the federal Lifeline program.
Tennessee telephone assistance programs
The State of Tennessee does not currently provide any telephone assistance in addition to the federal Lifeline program.
Texas telephone assistance program
In addition to Lifeline, the State of Texas offers a state telephone assistance discount. The telephone assistance program offers up to $3.50 per month discount on home landline telephone service.
Apply on the Texas Public Utility Commission website.
Virginia telephone assistance program
In addition to Lifeline, the State of Virginia offers a state telephone assistance discount. The telephone assistance program offers up to $3.50 per month discount on home landline telephone service.
The Virginia state discount is automatically added when the subscriber qualifies for the federal Lifeline program.
Wisconsin telephone assistance program
In addition to Lifeline, the State of Wisconsin offers a state telephone assistance discount. The telephone assistance program offers up to $9.25 per month discount on home landline telephone service.
Click the link below and follow the instructions to complete the form.
COMMUNITY
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Programs for customers with disabilties -
Telecommunications Relay Services -
Brightspeed Voicemail with TTY -
Low Income Family Assistance Programs
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