Can’t afford phone service?
TDS® provides Federal Lifeline and Tribal Link-Up programs to income-eligible customers; helps phone service remain affordable.
To ensure all Americans have the opportunities and security that phone service offers, Lifeline and Tribal Link-Up are available. Local phone companies, including TDS Telecommunications Corp. (TDS®), offer these federal programs so everyone has the option to connect with family, employers, and emergency services.
Lifeline provides monthly credits for one basic phone line into a home. Tribal Link-Up offers phone discounts for people living on tribal land. Qualifications for the programs vary by state; however, they are typically available to most people who receive federal or state assistance.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there were 46.2 million Americans living in poverty in 2011. In addition the 2011 real median household income dropped 1.5 percent from 2010 (and was 8.1 percent lower than 2007). Lifeline and Tribal Link-Up can help.
“Affording local telephone service is a struggle for too many,” says Kevin Hess, senior vice president of Government and Regulatory Affairs for TDS. “At a time when more Americans are living below the poverty line than ever before, they should not have to choose between feeding their family and providing a phone number on a job application. By making Lifeline and Tribal Link-up available to our customers, they can do both. If you know someone who’s struggling, encourage them to contact their local phone company for information.”
TDS supports these programs using funds from the Universal Service Fund program. Lifeline is a government assistance program. It’s non-transferable. Only eligible consumers may enroll in the program; limit of one discount per household. For more information, to check on eligibility, or to request an application visit www.tdstelecom.com/about/lifeline or 888-CALL-TDS.
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