Low-income consumers of telephone services have the opportunity to seek financial help through the Lifeline Assistance Program and Link-Up America. These are assistance programs instituted by the Federal Communications Commission, monitored by the Mississippi Public Service Commission and administered by local telephone companies. The programs are designed to help low-income families reduce the cost of local telephone services. Lifeline Assistance provides a standard $8.25 reduction per month for qualified Bruce Telephone applicants. Link-Up America reduces the cost of initial telephone connection charges up to $30.Eligibility for the telephone assistance programs requires an applicant’s income to be at or less than 135% of the Federal Poverty Guideline or participation in at least one of the following assistance programs: Medicaid, Food Stamps, Supplemental Security Income, National School Lunch Free Lunch Program, Federal Public Housing Assistance, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, and Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. For complete information about Lifeline Assistance and Link-Up America, consumers may dial 662-983-4343 to contact Bruce Telephone.

A good place to start an online FCC search is http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/lowincome.html.

Lifeline Assistance Application

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