Telephone Assistance

Kasson Area: 507-634-2511 Dodge Center Area: 507-633-2511

TELEPHONE ASSISTANCE

Lifeline

Many individuals or low-income families qualify for assistance with telephone charges but don’t realize that this help is available to them. If you’re experiencing financial difficulties, or have a friend or a family member in this situation, we encourage you to look into these programs.

The Lifeline Program is designed to reduce the monthly telephone or broadband charges for low income-eligible customers. Lifeline Program is only for households with a phone line or Internet service with qualifying speeds (must be greater than 25×3 Mb). Lifeline can save you up to $9.25 per month depending on where you live.

Eligibility guidelines vary throughout the country. You may be eligible for Lifeline if you, or someone in your household, participate in one of the following federal assistance programs:

Medicaid/Medical Assistance

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP aka Food Stamps)

Supplemental Security Income

Federal Public Housing Assistance or Section 8

Veterans Pension Benefit Program

Note: They are no longer allowing credits for Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) or the National School Free Lunch Program, or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (MN Family Investment Program, or MFIP)

Individuals who do not qualify under any of the above but live on or near a federally recognized reservation may qualify for Lifeline Assistance if the applicant receives benefits from at least one of the following programs:

Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance

Tribally Administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families

Head Start (only for those meeting its income qualifying standard)

National School Lunch Program’s free lunch program

To learn more about Lifeline, visit www.lifelinesupport.org, or stop by your local KMTelecom office for more details.

Minnesota Residents accepting Lifeline: You will automatically be enrolled in the TAP Program as required by the Minnesota Law and the applicable Commission Orders.

Lifeline credits may be used to reduce the price of broadband Internet service in addition to reducing the price of landline service, but TAP credits may only be used to reduce the price of landline service.

Please deliver your completed application to the KMTelecom office.

APPLICATION FORM

HOUSEHOLD WORKSHEET

SPANISH APPLICATION

SPANISH HOUSEHOLD WORKSHEET

TELEPHONE ASSISTANCE PLAN (TAP)

Minnesota’s Telephone Assistance Plan (TAP) and the federal Lifeline Program help make telephone service affordable to low-income consumers.

TAP offers a $10.00 per month discount on home landline telephone service.

How do I find out if I am eligible?

Contact your service provider to ask if you qualify. Consumers enrolled in the following programs may already be eligible.

Federal Public Housing Assistance

Medical Assistance

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

Supplemental Security Income

Veterans Pension or Survivors Pension Benefit

Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance

Tribally-Administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families

Head Start

Food Distribution Program

How do I apply?

Your phone service provider can assist you with the application(s) or contact the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission for assistance, consumer.puc@state.mn.us or 651-296-0406 or 1-800-657-3782.

Learn More: https://mn.gov/puc/consumers/

TAP APPLICATION

TELEPHONE ASSISTANCE

Lifeline

TELEPHONE ASSISTANCE PLAN (TAP)

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